Preparation

• 1). Ensure that the pistol is unloaded.
  
  
• 2). Eliminate any existing varnish coating from the grip, using sandpaper. Sand the grip until it appears dull. Skip this step if the grip is unvarnished.
  
  
• 3). Wipe down the grip with a tack cloth.
  
  
• 4). Cover portions of the pistol you do not want refinished with painter's tape. Trim the tape into smaller pieces, using scissors, if necessary. Place the pistol on a fabric drop cloth.
  
  

Varnishing

• 1). Apply varnish to the grip, using a 1- to 2-inch paintbrush. Read the label to ensure that the paintbrush is meant for use with oil-based coatings.
  
  
• 2). Wait two hours for the varnish to dry. Apply a second coat. Wait six hours before handling the gun.
  
  
• 3). Use mineral spirits to clean the paintbrush.
  
  

Painting

• 1). Abrade the bone to stimulate primer adhesion. Scour the grip with sandpaper until it feels slightly gritty.
  
  
• 2). Coat the grip with acrylic spray primer. Hold the spray can eight inches from the grip as you apply the primer.
  
  
• 3). Allow the primer to dry for three hours. Coat the pistol grip with a single coat of appliance epoxy spray paint. Apply this just as you did the primer. Wait six hours before handling the gun.