The first gun we built, the South African R1 on an Imbel receiver was in desperate need of refinishing.  This was a gun that only its builders could love.  So unattractive was it, we christened it the Ügly (pronounced "yoogely") Gun, or ÜG.  Apparently the South African military's method of refinishing a FAL was to slather exterior household paint in attractive shades of green and brown on the gun in an attempt to camouflage it.  When we say "on the gun" we mean all over the gun.  Wooden butt, lower receiver, pistol grip, barrel, handguards, magazine, and sights all bore signs of this treatment.  The only areas of the gun lacking the painted finish were the bolt and bolt carrier.  Those parts without the paint had no finish at all left, and were down to the bare metal.  Some examples of the ÜG prior to refinishing are shown below:
 

Right Side

Left Side

Right Side of Butt

Left Side of Recevier

Right Side of Receiver

Right Side of Barrel, Glover Brake, Gas Block Note Grenade Launcher Sight

Right Side of Handguard

Realizing that this noble arm could not be left in such a state, we shipped it off to Carl Giuffre of Provost's Precision Pistols (P3) in Weatogue, Connecticut.  P3, despite the name,  is a small Class II manufacturer that specializes in Kalashnikov style rifles and machine guns.  However, they also offer excellent firearm refinishing services, and it was their expertise here that we sought.  On Carl's advice, we elected to have P3 refinish the metal with a black moly-resin finish, and to refinish the wooden buttstock ourselves.  Prior to shipment, the rifle was completely disassembled; the only parts left assembled were the brake/barrel and receiver/locking shoulder combination.

The refinishing process has several components.  First, all components are glass bead blasted to remove all foreign matter (read that "paint") and to create a uniform surface for refinishing.  Then the components are thoroughly cleaned with acetone and heat.  While the parts are being heated, they are observed so as to detect any oil seepage.  If seepage is detected, they are thoroughly cleaned  and then baked again.  This process is reiterated until the parts are absolutely clean and free of any oil or grease.

At this time, the parts hangers and spray booth are prepared.  (Spray booth includes airbrush, compressor exhaust fans etc.)  Each part gets several light fogging passes with the moly-resin coat applied when its temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  If the parts cool, they have to be reheated.  When spraying is complete, the metal parts are baked for one hour at 300 degrees and the plastic parts at 200 degrees for two hours.  Incidentally, P3 charges $50.00 plus shipping for a moly-resin refinish.

The wooden stock was refinished as well.  It was completely stripped of all finish and stain with Bix semi-paste and water wash strippers.  After stripping, it was thoroughly rinsed with warm water.  After being left to dry for twenty-four hours, major compressions and "dings" were steamed out using a wet cotton cloth and a clothes iron.  When dry, it was sanded smooth.  Given the large number of deep scratches that went across the grain, our efforts were largely geared toward making the stock smooth to the touch.  Once sanded, the stock was treated to eleven coats of tung oil.  After the initial eight coats, it was buffed with a clean, lint free cloth ten minutes after application.  The last three were allowed to dry overnight and buffed with 0000 steel wool.

About two weeks later, we received the refinished parts back.  Well, almost.  We made the mistake of having them shipped FEDEX Ground.  The package, according to FEDEX Ground employees, was thrown into the bottom of a trailer where inconsequential items such as computer monitors and  pieces of furniture were thrown on it.  As a result the cardboard packaging burst.  The refinished gun was scuffed a little, but more importantly, FEDEX Ground employees stole two Browning High Power pistols that were also in the package as well as the rifle's bolt.  Eventually we retrieved the rifle and ordered a replacement bolt, which fortunately did not affect the headspace dimension (still did not close on a NO-GO gauge). The refinished ÜG is shown below:
 

Right Side

Receiver, Left Side

Receiver, Right Side

Butt, Right Side

Gas Block and Grenade Sight

Handguards, Right Side

 

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