5KU Kimber Slide Paint scratches off

[Smacky]

I recently ordered a "new" 5KU Kimber slide from asiaairsoft and when I installed the rear and front sight, the slightest touch on the slide causes the paint to scratch off. There was already some slight paint chipped off the corners as well, is this normal or did I get ripped off by asiaairsoft?

[Thenooblord]

5KU is basically some of the least expensive upgrade parts available,
whatever you do dont buy guarder, guarder is even worse

[Smacky]

Too late, I have a Guarder Kimber slide as well and while the finish is better, the BBU does not fit in it at all. Everything actually drops in the 5KU slide without modding it, just the paint sucks. I've been trying to source a Hurricane or Nova Kimber conversion kit, but can only find it at shops overseas, hence I put an add up in the Wanted section.

[Kos-Mos]

5KU is a china generic brand. Basically the same thing as Evike' home brand and such.

The parts function good more of the time, but material and finish quality suck.

A few years ago, you could have had an Illusion Kinetic kit. Made by/for a guy here and it was by far the best slides you could get.

[DuffMan]

This will ameliorate your scratching issues

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/70...metal-touch-up

[Smacky]

Originally Posted by Kos-Mos

5KU is a china generic brand. Basically the same thing as Evike' home brand and such.

The parts function good more of the time, but material and finish quality suck.

A few years ago, you could have had an Illusion Kinetic kit. Made by/for a guy here and it was by far the best slides you could get.

I always wanted to get myself an Illusion custom, but I really regret never having done so. I've asked a few AV retailers here if they could source a quality conversion kit but I haven't had any replies so far. If someone could PM me a retailer that could help me source it, it would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by DuffMan

This will ameliorate your scratching issues

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/70...metal-touch-up

I'll give this a try, thank you for the recommendation. I attached a couple of pics of the slide, the first shows the scratching on the slide before I even installed it, and some bubbling as well. The second is after I installed the rear sight on it. Another annoying thing is the front sight doesn't fit on this slide at all, the slot for the slide is too big.

[DuffMan]

The cold blue will darken it dramatically. Won't make it even with the paint, obviously, but it'll give it a more realistic look like worn steel.

[Slono]

I would sand it, spray paint it and then bake it (at 350 degrees C for 20 minutes I think?). I've used this method with whatever fits in the cheap toaster oven I purchased from kijiji and it definitely increases the durability of the paint finish.

[Kos-Mos]

Originally Posted by Slono

I would sand it, spray paint it and then bake it (at 350 degrees C for 20 minutes I think?). I've used this method with whatever fits in the cheap toaster oven I purchased from kijiji and it definitely increases the durability of the paint finish.

Given the state of the paint, thinner would probably work much better.
Make sure to REMOVE EVERY BIT OF PLASTIC you want to keep.

[Smacky]

Originally Posted by Slono

I would sand it, spray paint it and then bake it (at 350 degrees C for 20 minutes I think?). I've used this method with whatever fits in the cheap toaster oven I purchased from kijiji and it definitely increases the durability of the paint finish.

Originally Posted by Kos-Mos

Given the state of the paint, thinner would probably work much better.
Make sure to REMOVE EVERY BIT OF PLASTIC you want to keep.

Thanks for all the tips. I was able to find a retailer that could help import a Nova conversion kit for me, but will keep these tips in mind for future projects.