Paintball

[Duzzy]

A while back I bought one of the AGD Golden Guns off of Potatoboy on AO. It's been through several reincarnations since then but the one thing it always lacked was a matching body.

So I hunted around for a while and finally stumbled on PB4L as a gold plater who worked with paintball markers. It took close to 4 months IIRC before he could fit me in and in the mean time I had Ken at KPCS polish the body for me. This is what it looked like before polishing.



(If I find pictures of Ken's polish job I'll post them up. It was beautiful.)

From Ken it went straight to PB4L and some gold plating. This is what it came back looking like:





I highly recommend a good polish before having anything plated, the shine on the body is absolutely amazing on the outside, and less so on the inside where it wasn't polished.

There were some parts that look like they didn't get plated correctly, or it was damaged before transit. I'm think maybe clear nail polish will keep it from chipping.



(Front part of the body a small amount of plating is missing.)



(Some plating missing near the pump slot.)



(Small bubble of gold on the inside of the body.

I can't photograph them but there are also two spots where the plating is shinier than the rest, I don't know why or really how to describe it. They're really only noticeable because light reflects differently.

The Good:

Nathan was great to contact via e-mail. He usually responded the same day and I don't remember it ever taking more than 2 days to get a reply. The body was well packaged when it arrived and the price was reasonable for what I wanted. Although I think he prefers to do multiple parts.

I'm happy with the results. It gave an old classic a new look that is infinitely better looking than the black teflon body.

The Bad:

Few places where there is not plating, and the two weird spots. It also took a while for him to have an opening, but that really isn't a reflection on his work. Just a heads up for those looking.

*Edit*
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This was an e-mail response from Nate in regards to the small damaged areas:

Alright great, I'm glad it got there okay. As for the slight damage, I'm not quite sure how it got there but due to the recent Southern California wildfires I was evacuated from my home, I decided to take it with me just in case for safe keeping. Its possible it was damaged in the process of the journey, even though i was extra carefully packing/unpacking to make sure nothing was harmed. Anyways I apreciate the review, it was nice doing business with you.

-Nathan

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I'll be e-mail him a link to this thread and he can way in. I'll also try to get outdoor pictures soon.

[Chemical-X]

DAMN.


That body is rockin duzzy, nice call.

[splattttttt]

Are you planning to use the gun for games, or is it just for display? I ask because I'm interested in knowing how well it will hold up.
Is it scratch resistant. Does Nate guaranty his work in some way?

[idkfa]

How much did it set you back?

[Castro #66]

I'll second the questions above.

[fwag69]

SICK! i was talking to him yesterday about getting my zforce gold plated, and wanted some other reviews.

I think im going to do it.

[Duzzy]

Added better pictures and got this e-mail back from Nate:

Alright great, I'm glad it got there okay. As for the slight damage, I'm not quite sure how it got there but due to the recent Southern California wildfires I was evacuated from my home, I decided to take it with me just in case for safe keeping. Its possible it was damaged in the process of the journey, even though i was extra carefully packing/unpacking to make sure nothing was harmed. Anyways I apreciate the review, it was nice doing business with you.



-Nathan

[shifty]

I'm glad that worked out for you...... Ever since the fiasco with the engraving that he was doing, but actually wasn't but taking the credit. His word isn't worth a plug nickel.

[PB4LIndustries]

Originally Posted by splattttttt

Are you planning to use the gun for games, or is it just for display? I ask because I'm interested in knowing how well it will hold up.
Is it scratch resistant. Does Nate guaranty his work in some way?

It is comparible to anodizing in durability. Of course any finish will wear over time with use, but I havent run into any serious issues involving the durability of my plating.


As far as a guarantee goes, if any abnormal and severely premature wear were ever to occur, I of course would to everything in my power to rectify the problem.

[splattttttt]

Originally Posted by PB4LIndustries

It is comparible to anodizing in durability. Of course any finish will wear over time with use, but I havent run into any serious issues involving the durability of my plating.


As far as a guarantee goes, if any abnormal and severely premature wear were ever to occur, I of course would to everything in my power to rectify the problem.

What an honor... Your very first post here on MCB, and it was to me
So let me ask, what do you do besides finishes? Engraving, is that also one of your talents?
BTW, welcome to my favorite hangout.