[Bread is People]

What kind of finish was put on russian AKMs when they were new from the factory? I'd like to know so I can put something on a build that will be the same as (or at least look very close to) the original finish. Any idea what might work well in this case?

 

[jithaca]

Black paint over parkerizing.

 

[Prototype Services]

Was the paint flat, satin, or glossy?

 

[IMAR]

What about the PLO kits on some of the newer looking kits is that finish russian original or a Israeli redo

 

[Hootbro]

What about the PLO kits on some of the newer looking kits is that finish russian original or a Israeli redo

The Israeli's only did a repark job when they refurbished. So if it has paint, then it is probably original.

 

[IMAR]

What about the PLO kits on some of the newer looking kits is that finish russian original or a Israeli redo

The Israeli's only did a repark job when they refurbished. So if it has paint, then it is probably original.

Ah hah... boy some of these look like they were brand new and some look like there were drug through the streets of gaza..

 

[Stottman]

The paint varies... Allot of stuff actually is a gloss paint, then it goes to almost semi gloss.. Some of it is matte.

 

[Hootbro]

[quote="I Marotto":6elxqtzz]What about the PLO kits on some of the newer looking kits is that finish russian original or a Israeli redo

The Israeli's only did a repark job when they refurbished. So if it has paint, then it is probably original.

Ah hah... boy some of these look like they were brand new and some look like there were drug through the streets of gaza..[/quote:6elxqtzz]

I am sure there is exceptions to the rule but the Israeli's captured a lot of weapons and material over the years. Not unlikely that they found freshly thrown down new weapons or new in the crate.

Hootbro

 

[Jerod]

If you were to use Gunkote "AK Black" or Duracoat "H&K Black" over zinc parkerizing you would be very close to correct . As Stottman said , they tended to vary in the sheen over the years . Stottman has seen more real russian AKM's than most people on the board .

 

[Prototype Services]

Jerod, How close is the satin to the AK black? I just got a quart of satin, and hoped to do my L1A1s and AKs. I have some original L1A1 parts to compare. If this is close, I'm going to order another gallon.

 

[Bread is People]

Black paint over parkerizing.

Ok, thats what I wanted to know, but was the paint glossy or flat or somewhere in between. I'm concerned with what was used right out of the factory. Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[Stottman]

As an example, my friend and I are building up my 1983 Tula kit.. New condition, all original.. Moly Resin semi gloss black was a super close match to the finish. GunKote AK black matched the Saiga we compared to..

My Tula 1969 is actually very glossy; ... I will probably use Moly resin gloss black for that.

 

[SteveM]

You can do alot to flatten a finish by heating the metal before you paint. This really helps me to get an exact match when the paint seems a tad glossy.