Refinishing Grips

[Coal Creek Griff]

After seeing what refinished stocks and grips looked like in photos here, I finally gave it a try myself.  I posted some photos under the 1876 forum too, but here I'll show my revolver grips.

First of all, I'm not perfectly satisfied with how they look, but they're certainly better than the red-tinted plastic coated state that they originally had.  I stripped the finish with Citristrip and dyed with leather dye diluted with alcohol (the dye was diluted with alcohol, not me).  I then finished with several coats of Tru-Oil.

The 7 1/2 inch gun is a Uberti.  The 4 3/4 inch gun is a Pietta.  They seem to have used different woods.  I forgot to take a "before" photo of the Uberti, but we all know what those grips look like.  The Pietta grips were dented and I left the dents in for character.  The color didn't come out very even on those grips, but that kind of created a worn look to go with the dents.

I'll post a picture of both guns after the refinishing in a follow-up post.

Overall, they are certainly better looking than they were when I got them.  There may be more refinishing in my future...

CC Griff

[Coal Creek Griff]

Here is the final result.

I should mention that I'm embarrassed to show my longer barrel revolver because of the damage to the bluing on the cylinder and ejector shroud.  I caused that in the first week of ownership by leaving it in a holster overnight, not realizing that the holster was just a little damp.  I had to sit with my face in my hands for a few minutes the next morning.  Oh well, character, right?  No, just embarrassing.

CC Griff

[Coffinmaker]

CCG,

Do not dispare.  If one plays with guns at all long enough, we all acquire at "least" one "Left The Cake out in the Rain" story and example.  When given the opportunity, Fecal Matter will in fact Propagate.

Nice job on the Grips.  I dislike the Uberti Red as well.  Almost anything else (except Milk Paint) is an improvement.

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[Kent Shootwell]

Yes, much improved!

[Holsterguy]

The grips on the 7 1/2" one are gorgeous! What color dye did you use?

[Johnny McCrae]

Nice work. They look good!

[Coal Creek Griff]

Thanks for the positive comments, gents.

Holsterguy, the dye was Fiebings Dark Brown, cut with alcohol.  I didn't measure the amounts, I'm afraid.  I thinned it down and did a couple of coats.  I wanted it a bit darker, so I added a dash more dye to my solution and did a couple more coats, lightly rubbing it down with 0000 steel wool before applying each coat.

CC Griff