Post by kilroysbrother on Feb 18, 2014 22:00:25 GMT -5
As you may know I've been planning on redoing the finish on my M1. I finally tried to try the shoe polish method. I have to say I was thrilled with the results.
What you will need to do this:
Airsoft or Denix M1 Garand or Carbine,
A small tin black of Kiwi shoe polish. I bought the big tin but the small one would work-$3.29 for small tin $4.99 for the large one,
A pair of rubber exam gloves. These are very important unless you want to spend the rest of your life with stained hands (ok I might be exaggerating a little bit) $1.00 for 10 gloves at the dollar store,
Shoe shine rag. I use an old sock-Free unless you are weird and don't have a spare rag lying around your house.
Roll of paper towels, not really that important but they are nice to have. - $1.00
Newspaper or equivalent to cover table. I didn't have a newspaper and just used a couple notebook papers.
A pencil to place through the trigger guard to keep the gun up. Once again free unless you're weird.
A multi tool or flat head screwdriver, also free unless you're weird.
Ok now for the technique:
1. Find a well ventilated area to do this. Outside is an awesome well ventilated place that most of us have access to.
2. Layout the newspaper or equivalent to protect your working surface.
3. Place the gun one the newspaper (Duh)
4. Glove up and open the tin of poison (shoe polish)
5. Now here is where it gets fun, get a glob of polish on your finger and rub in a long streak along the grain. If you go against the grain it'll look stupid. Continue rubbing the area until it looks a little darker than what you want the finished project to look like.
6. Continue doing the above procedure for the rest of the gun.
7. Now wait 15 minutes.
8. After 15 minutes has passed now rub the excess polish of with your rag. DO NOT PUSH HARD or you'll rub almost all the polish off.
9. If you have to take the trigger mechanism off and get the polish out from around it. If you get the polish on the metal, don't freak out it'll rub of easily.
10. let dry for a day or so.
I will post pictures in a minute.
What you will need to do this:
Airsoft or Denix M1 Garand or Carbine,
A small tin black of Kiwi shoe polish. I bought the big tin but the small one would work-$3.29 for small tin $4.99 for the large one,
A pair of rubber exam gloves. These are very important unless you want to spend the rest of your life with stained hands (ok I might be exaggerating a little bit) $1.00 for 10 gloves at the dollar store,
Shoe shine rag. I use an old sock-Free unless you are weird and don't have a spare rag lying around your house.
Roll of paper towels, not really that important but they are nice to have. - $1.00
Newspaper or equivalent to cover table. I didn't have a newspaper and just used a couple notebook papers.
A pencil to place through the trigger guard to keep the gun up. Once again free unless you're weird.
A multi tool or flat head screwdriver, also free unless you're weird.
Ok now for the technique:
1. Find a well ventilated area to do this. Outside is an awesome well ventilated place that most of us have access to.
2. Layout the newspaper or equivalent to protect your working surface.
3. Place the gun one the newspaper (Duh)
4. Glove up and open the tin of poison (shoe polish)
5. Now here is where it gets fun, get a glob of polish on your finger and rub in a long streak along the grain. If you go against the grain it'll look stupid. Continue rubbing the area until it looks a little darker than what you want the finished project to look like.
6. Continue doing the above procedure for the rest of the gun.
7. Now wait 15 minutes.
8. After 15 minutes has passed now rub the excess polish of with your rag. DO NOT PUSH HARD or you'll rub almost all the polish off.
9. If you have to take the trigger mechanism off and get the polish out from around it. If you get the polish on the metal, don't freak out it'll rub of easily.
10. let dry for a day or so.
I will post pictures in a minute.