What is a good black finish?

[daveboy]

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered, but I did a search and had no luck finding the answers.

I have a #5 that has been "toyed with" to say the least. I have done a lot of work getting it back to something resembling how it was when in military use. Now, I am in the metal finish stage which will complete my rifle (will post pics when complete). I have had the metal parked or phosphated, now I need to apply the "paint". I am no Enfield expert, but I know they were originally finished with something called Suncorite (not sure of spelling). Since Suncorite is not something that I have access to, I was wondering if there is any product availabe in Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc... that comes close to the properties I am looking for. I can mail-order if need be, but would rather not.

What say the experts?

daveboy

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Edward Horton]

Keep it simple and just use high temp BBQ black paint or a similar type paint.

Below is a 1949 FAZ with South African markings and it was untouched, meaning it still had jellied petroleum protection (Vaseline) below the wood line. I was cleaning it after I got it and Kroil started taking the paint off, below the paint came off with rubbing alcohol. The paint appeared to be some sort of off the shelf enamel spray paint.



Its my understanding that the South Africans bought this paint from the Indian Ishapore factory and the Ishapore factory bought the surplus paint from the Australians.

[mdrim13]

I would reccomend nothing besides "blue wonder" gun blue. It works great and has exellent wear.

[Peter Laidler]

Pssssssst Daveboy and I'll let you into a secret. Come a bit closer because I don't want too many people to share it........ If you want the REAL McCoy of the rifle stripped to white metal, phosphateed and then painted in the genuine UK MoD spec paint that's been original since the rifles were made, then oil dipped so that it'll last another lifetime away rom the hot stinking steamy swamp ridden jungles and mangrove swamps of Malaya, then send it to Brian Dick at BDL.