Slide coating is gone and recoil rod is bent after one ultrasonic cleaning. Please advise.

3403 Views 74 Replies 27 Participants Last post by yohan72, 9 d ago

curiouspanning

Discussion Starter · 18 d ago

10

Hi folks, asking your help/suggestions here. Thanks in advance.

I got my PDP F series new but dirty, so I used CLP for a basic cleaning first. However that helped very little (My Initial Post). Fellow forum viewers suggested an ultrasonic cleaner. I tried that first with my other pistols and it worked fine (no damages to coating or rods). I then used it with the PDP F series (same method, half water & half simple green, for 5 minutes under 60 degree Celsius). The outlook is horrendous (pictures attached) when it was done!

The slide coating is deteriorated badly and the recoil rod is bent (two most obvious defects I can tell immediately). I contacted the Walther for the issues and they only suggested me to purchase a new rod/spring and re-coat the cerakote with an outside shop myself, no warranty replacement was offered.

I am disappointed with the quality of pistol and Walther's warranty. Am I expecting too much? What else can I do to improve my situation while saving additional expenses? I have not yet shot the gun ever since I got it from the FFL. Is it safe to use this pistol as its current condition (especially the bent recoil rod)?

Again, thanks in advance.
/CP

See less See more

41 - 60 of 75 Posts

William Walton

· #41 · 18 d ago

Oh well, some guns are show horses and some workhorses. Yours just became a workhorse and you don't send workhorses to the beauty parlor.

Reactions: 3

Redcat94

· #42 · 18 d ago

curiouspanning said:
at least a guide rod should not be "bent" under a 60-degree Celsius (140 Fahrenheit) heat.

It's the vibration that did the damage, not the heat. I once placed some glass lab equipment into an ultrasonic cleaner and forgot about them for 45 minutes. When I finally retrieved them, they looked like a shredded onion.

Reactions: 3

P88

· #43 · 18 d ago

curiouspanning said:
I ordered mine from "Locked and Loaded." It is interesting if all original Walther slides are black only. My PDP-F came in with a Walther logoed sticker that shows "ITEM: 2849313GY", and the description clearly indicated "3.5in 15RD OR Gray." I hope there is a real anti-corrosion treatment under this gray cerakote no matter the cerakoe is done in US or Germany.

I attached the pictures of my "bent" rod installed (from the side view) too. Thanks.

Yea, your frame is a little wonky. I don't think I would have let that get out of the factory, but like I've said, I've seen other polymer handguns with the same issue. I guess if it still functions ok, I wouldn't worry about it.

I appear to be wrong on the Grey model. I didn't know it was an option. I still can't find it on Walther's web site. (or at least I'm not finding it).

Did I miss it somewhere, did you describe how it shoots? Just curious if it shoots well for you.

Reactions: 1

Angry Hippo

· #44 · 18 d ago

First off: I'm really, really sorry to see/hear about what happened to your PDP.

I think the problem is the use of tap-water. It can have lots of hard minerals that probably battered the finish.

At the end of the day... I think the pistol actually looks kind of cool as is. Certainly unique now. I'd keep it well oiled and call it a day - or use this as an excuse to get a cerakote finish to your liking.

Reactions: 2

curiouspanning

Discussion Starter · #45 · 18 d ago

Redcat94 said:
It's the vibration that did the damage, not the heat. I once placed some glass lab equipment into an ultrasonic cleaner and forgot about them for 45 minutes. When I finally retrieved them, they looked like a shredded onion.

I see your point, sir. I totally accept the idea that ultrasonic cleaner is much more aggressive. It is just hard to imagine that Walther pistol could not take it or I was so unlucky. I just felt "innocent" since it was 5 minutes and, (using guide rod as an example), the rod is supposed to able taking a counter-force that is strong enough to push bullets 1000 feet-per-second. I also felt "innocent" that I don't think I accidentally increased the "run timer" over (I would know due to the buzzing noise 🤣).

Anyway, it is a lesson for me, don't demand "New should be look like new" to an extreme. I will put this aside for the moment since I am not sure whether I can run it as is, or I need to replace all parts and recoating the slide before I can use it. Some one here just mentioned, "don't send the workhorse into the beauty polar." 😂

curiouspanning

Discussion Starter · #46 · 18 d ago

P88 said:
Yea, your frame is a little wonky. I don't think I would have let that get out of the factory, but like I've said, I've seen other polymer handguns with the same issue. I guess if it still functions ok, I wouldn't worry about it.

I appear to be wrong on the Grey model. I didn't know it was an option. I still can't find it on Walther's web site. (or at least I'm not finding it).

Did I miss it somewhere, did you describe how it shoots? Just curious if it shoots well for you.

Thanks for your info, I will try check the gap again (by rotating it

). I have not yet shot any round from it, zero round here.

I tried to clean/restore it after I picked it up from the FFL (Question about my new pistol), then dont know why the mindset of an ultrasonic cleaner to restore the pistol to its "original cleanness" (or my unreal expectation on how clean a new gun should be) took over my mind.

curiouspanning

Discussion Starter · #47 · 18 d ago

Angry Hippo said:
First off: I'm really, really sorry to see/hear about what happened to your PDP.

I think the problem is the use of tap-water. It can have lots of hard minerals that probably battered the finish.

At the end of the day... I think the pistol actually looks kind of cool as is. Certainly unique now. I'd keep it well oiled and call it a day - or use this as an excuse to get a cerakote finish to your liking.

Indeed, maybe someday I should try to spray paint it and move on! 🤣

Thanks for the kindness and comforting!

Hunter308

· #48 · 18 d ago

curiouspanning said:
[T]he rod is supposed to able taking a counter-force that is strong enough to push bullets 1000 feet-per-second.

It's not the energy, it's the 'pulse' of the vibrations of your ultrasonic cleaner.

Reactions: 1

Jjones45

· #49 · 17 d ago

Ultrasonic cleaning a firearm is totally unnecessary for handguns imho. I’ve never understood the need to do so and always thought it was an ocd type behavior. I’ve been shooting handguns for about 22 years now with some reaching upwards of 15k rounds through them. Clp, a toothbrush, bore snake, brass brushes, q-tips and rags are all I’ve ever used. I’ve never even fully detail stripped any of my guns for cleaning other than taking a striker assembly out here or there to clean the striker channel and all my guns have run like they are supposed to. I’m also the guy who goes to the car wash and just gets a wash and wax with a good vacuuming at the end. I don’t see the need to get it professionally detailed as it looks good enough for me after some amor all and windex. Guys who do this ultrasonic cleaning go way over the top as these guns are designed to run dirty as long as the fouling isn’t excessive. A good field strip and cleaning is all that’s necessary.

Reactions: 5

gglass

· #50 · 17 d ago

Jjones45 said:
Ultrasonic cleaning a firearm is totally unnecessary for handguns imho. I’ve never understood the need to do so and always thought it was an ocd type behavior. I’ve been shooting handguns for about 22 years now with some reaching upwards of 15k rounds through them. Clp, a toothbrush, bore snake, brass brushes, q-tips and rags are all I’ve ever used. I’ve never even fully detail stripped any of my guns for cleaning other than taking a striker assembly out here or there to clean the striker channel and all my guns have run like they are supposed to. I’m also the guy who goes to the car wash and just gets a wash and wax with a good vacuuming at the end. I don’t see the need to get it professionally detailed as it looks good enough for me after some amor all and windex. Guys who do this ultrasonic cleaning go way over the top as these guns are designed to run dirty as long as the fouling isn’t excessive. A good field strip and cleaning is all that’s necessary.

I fully agree with this statement!

What kind of super-duper crude could you possibly be trying to remove to need ultrasonic cleaning?

Reactions: 2

gglass

· #51 · 17 d ago

curiouspanning said:
Indeed, maybe someday I should try to spray paint it and move on! 🤣

Thanks for the kindness and comforting!

Don't knock "spray paint" until you have worked with Cerakote.

My Cerakoted QQP 5"

Wood Office equipment Toy Gun accessory Trigger

Not too shabby, if I say so myself...

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Toddzilla67

· #52 · 17 d ago (Edited)

FWIW, we sent my wife’s Sig P365 in for service a few months back. At about 5000 rounds she began getting light primer strikes with multiple brands of ammo. I tore down the pistol as much as I dared, but left the FCU alone. Striker channel was clean/dry and striker assembly looked good.

The Sig service included complete disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, thorough inspection, complete spring replacement, re-assembly, lubrication, test fire, and two day FedEx shipping both ways. In this case, ultrasonic cleaning was likely done to help get smaller parts of the FCU clean more quickly. Perhaps all parts (including the slide) were cleaned this way, but likely performed to standards Sig has.

I feel bad for the OP and the issues he now has. I think this is a good reminder that we have a lot of information at our fingertips these days. And not all of it is good and/or complete information.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 3

DaveB

· #53 · 17 d ago

Yes, I believe the forum blasted the OP enough. He's certainly been quite mature in his responses. We all make mistakes. I use Dunk-It to totally clean my firearms and it works great and is safe. So, I understand the desire for deep cleaning myself! Peace.

Reactions: 5

jkv45

· #54 · 17 d ago

As someone that works with coatings, (not firearms coatings) I would say there is a lack of adequate adhesion of the top coating to the previous coating.

I have a large ultrasonic cleaner, but wouldn't use it for firearms. Submerging an assembled firearm in a solution containing water is asking for corrosion issues.

I use Hornady One-Shot if I need to "wash" anything out, as it is a solvent but contains lubricants and corrosion inhibitors as well.

Reactions: 3

Aced

· #55 · 17 d ago

Coming to this late, but from the first post, if it is a new unfired pistol WHY is it so filthy that it requires a thorough cleaning? Am I missing something or has the pistol been mishandled, possibly a secondary coating operation, or possibly a used pistol being sold as new??? If so, is it possible the finish was damaged before the ultrasonic bath or if a secondary coating, it was not applied properly or surface was not adequately cleaned before application? I would be talking to the seller about why it was so dirty if it was a new pistol.
Best, Ed

Reactions: 1

jkv45

· #56 · 16 d ago

It's possible you may be able to remove all the top coating without damaging the factory coating underneath.

It just looks like poor quality paint prep to me. They coated the barrel, in place, as well?

I'd try using a solvent like Acetone to see if you can remove the aftermarket coating. Next step would be MEK, then some type of paint stripper.

If that damaged the original coating, the only option is to find a quality applicator for a proper firearms finish of your choice.

Reactions: 1

Shepherd

· #57 · 16 d ago

The reason they are making and will make future guns in the US is that it’s cheaper. The German unions are costly. Same reason BMW and MB makes their cars in right to work states.

Reactions: 2

kbmcml

· #58 · 16 d ago

Shepherd said:
The reason they are making and will make future guns in the US is that it’s cheaper. The German unions are costly. Same reason BMW and MB makes their cars in right to work states.

It also means that the manufacturer doesn't have to pay the 10% USA FAET (Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax) on imported pistols.

Reactions: 3

DrewBone

· #59 · 16 d ago

This thread is proof that there is no one on Earth who is too young, old, or immune from the phase "live and learn".

We often don't consider damages both inexpensive and expensive that could result from the seemingly benign actions we take...e.g., throwing a new red shirt in with light colored clothing, mistakenly running your 2 cycle line trimmer on 100% gas all summer, etc.

This pistol now has plenty of character so I say lesson learned - leave it alone and move on.

Reactions: 4

William Walton

· #60 · 16 d ago

Even Bill Wilson, purveyor of high end handguns, says he himself ain't exactly anal about cleaning his guns. About the frequency nor the level of detail. No need to be, even with a $2000 gun.
According to Bill, anyway.

Reactions: 3

41 - 60 of 75 Posts