Painted (or maybe hydrodipped) polymer handguard

[BigWaylon]

Wanted a longer factory rail for my 15-22 SBR. Had a guy ask if I was interested in this one and I said not really, but I’d take it for $20/shipped, which he agreed to.



I don’t have it in hand, yet...but any idea if S&W painted these? Or hydrodipped them?

I’m assuming I could paint it black, but what would happen to it if I had somebody sandblast or bead blast it? Would that remove the coloring and leave it black? Or would the blasting damage the finish so that it looked gray?

 

[Jeppo]

Personally, I’d have insisted on $25 before taking it.

 

[VA_GENTLEMAN]

That is exactly the dip my daughter's S&W AR-15/22 has. They made a run of those back in 2016, Muddy Girl Camo... You can paint right over it... (She didn't like it either)

 

[Magdump]

Wanted a longer factory rail for my 15-22 SBR. Had a guy ask if I was interested in this one and I said not really, but I’d take it for $20/shipped, which he agreed to.

View attachment 150612

I don’t have it in hand, yet...but any idea if S&W painted these? Or hydrodipped them?

I’m assuming I could paint it black, but what would happen to it if I had somebody sandblast or bead blast it? Would that remove the coloring and leave it black? Or would the blasting damage the finish so that it looked gray?

I've done a few projects where I had to remove Hydrodip. It was a horribly messy, laborious and time consuming ordeal. Soaking in acetone will loosen the Hydrodip, then vigorous scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush will remove the film and adhesive. Just make sure to test the part to verify the acetone will not damage the plastic substrate. I would not recommend a process as mechanically aggressive as sandblasting or beadblasting to remove such a thick and soft finish from plastic.

 

[BigWaylon]

It’s already been sprayed black at this point. Easy to touch up later if needed.