[Hopalong]

I just bought a new Combat Commander. The condition is perfect. My only issue is that the grips look washed out compared to others I've seen.

I emailed VZ Grips and asked if there was a way to get the nicer color I've seen on other examples. They advised me to spray the grips with WD-40 and then wipe them off.

Has anyone tried that? Thanks.

 

[HeavyIndustries]

We used to spray cars with WD40 before a car show. It makes them pop and shine like crazy.
Alot cheaper than the wax sprays to do the same thing.
Freshly WD'd pro mod Camaro at the auto show at the mall...

 

[SHOOTER13]

Never heard of that trick Tim...and Congrats on the new Colt Commander !!

 

[Cobra1957]

Put some Ballistol on them. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

 

[Kid Sopris]

Any petroleum oil based product should put the moisture back into the wood. If they are synthetic WD should work just fine.

 

[Mikebiker]

I would go with Ballistol as it is mineral oil based and less harmful to wood and even leather. WD-40 has paraffin in it and continued use can and will leave a residue in the tight places on a gun in some cases making the screws a real pain to get loose.

 

[HeavyIndustries]

The grips the OP is working with are not wood.

 

[Hopalong]

My issue with WD 40 is that I don't want to use anything that is going to leave a residue.

 

[Van Dyer]

I just bought a new Combat Commander. The condition is perfect. My only issue is that the grips look washed out compared to others I've seen.

I emailed VZ Grips and asked if there was a way to get the nicer color I've seen on other examples. They advised me to spray the grips with WD-40 and then wipe them off.

Has anyone tried that? Thanks.

View attachment 786767

Use linseed oil.

 

[Beecherkid]

Renaissance wax and a toothbrush might be the answer.

 

[Hopalong]

The grips the OP is working with are not wood.

Yep, VZ's website states that G-10, "is a high-pressure fiberglass laminate created by stacking multiple glass cloth layers...This is done by soaking the glass in epoxy resin. Then by heat and pressure, it is compressed into the shape you are looking for; primarily sheets and rods."

 

[big_gus]

I no longer use ballistol. My dad loved the stuff. I had a rare nib Colt it messed up finish on the top of one grip panel. I don’t think it was just an odd occurrence because same thing happened to one of my dad’s rifles. I stopped using it then.

 

[what would you say]

My Colt defender purchase has the thinner VZ/G-10 stocks and had the same look to the reddish washed out color. Sort of a bit of a pinkish hue.
I haven’t tried to anything to remedy that yet. Between Tim and I , we will figure something out to resolve it. I don’t think I want to try WD40 though.

 

[what would you say]

 

[Hopalong]

Ben, I wish my grips looked as good as yours.

The issue with my grips appears to be a current trend, looking at this one.

Colt Combat Commander 1911 Blued 9mm 04942XE - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 931849554

Buy Colt Combat Commander 1911 Blued 9mm 04942XE: GunBroker is the largest seller of Semi Auto Pistols Pistols Guns & Firearms All: 931849554

www.gunbroker.com

 

[what would you say]

Because the grip set on my Defender is a different design, the washed out/pinkish is just in the checkered part. The stocks on your examples is mostly checkered design… maybe the issue is more prevalent with checkering.
Also, I think my right side stock was a little worse.

 

[Chris68]

I had some Black VZ's that had a little fading from some 99% Alcohol. A touch of Ballistol brought the color right back!

 

[inspcalahan]

As to the color you wanted, I feel your pain. I wanted some of their red/black grips for several guns and most I've gotten have had too much black or been muted in the red colors, especially compared to the pictured ones.

Every so often, a very colored set comes out.

That said, VZ grips are some of the best made and definitely serve their purpose. I've used them for work for many years, in fact I was one of the original T&E end users on 1911 panels way back when. Still have that set.

 

[Cozmo]

WD-40 has been the "trick" for Micarta (to make it black) and G10 since both materials were first used to make grips. WD-40 is basically just kerosine. But most any oil will make G-10 and Micarta darker.

Navidrex, the first Micarta 1911 grips that I know of and then Hogue. G-10 came later.

 

[po18guy]

Pop 'em off. Pop 'em in an envelope. Pop the envelope in the mail to Colt with a note that the gun dseserves better.