How to install GunSkins Pistol Skin

GunSkins Pistol Skins will fit most semi-auto, revolver type pistols. The kit comes with the following generic precut pieces: two 4.75" x 8” frame pieces, one 3.75” x 8” slide piece, and two 1” x 3.25” pieces of additional material. With proper trimming from the user, they can be cut to shape for any pistol!

Clean the Gun Thoroughly

It is absolutely necessary to prep the firearm before installation. The Pistol Skin will not adhere to the surface of the gun if there is oil or grease present. Please consider that guns are porous and naturally oil is designed to settle into these areas. Handling your gun with your hands will leave oil, in addition to whatever lubrication you use you maintain the firearm with. New guns come particularly greased from the factory and require a very thorough cleaning.

We recommend using a gun-specific degreaser, such as Froglube Solvent or Gun Scrubber, to remove all gun oil from the surface. It's especially helpful if you use a small brush to scrub into the texture, grip, and recessed edges of the gun to prep the surface for vinyl wrapping. Rubbing alcohol is a good additional step to remove any remaining moisture or residue, but please know that alcohol alone is not strong enough to cut through grease and will not properly clean the gun for vinyl installation.

Apply, Heat, and Trim to Fit

Now that the pistol is clean, it's time to install the skin. Lay the pistol on its side and peel one of the large side pieces of the vinyl material. Like a sticker, position the piece centered over the side of the pistol and press firmly with your fingers. Make sure everything is covered. Don't worry about aesthetics yet, it's going to look strange before the trimming stage. If your pistol has a slide, position the piece just below the slide. Don't worry, there is a piece made specifically for that part.

Here is where the magic happens. Use a heat gun and hit the material to make it flexible and stretch it over the edges and all around the curves of the frame. The vinyl stretches a good bit and is very malleable, so don't be afraid to pull and tighten the hold the material has on the surface. Use your fingers to press on all the grooves and edges. When done right, the vinyl will mold to the gun perfectly, like a glove (er...skin).

Using the sharp hobby knife, trim the material all along the edge of the gun where the material overhangs past the surface. If you want to wrap around the edges (front and back) leave enough material so it can wrap around. Don't forget to trim inside the trigger guard, too. What was once a mess now takes on the shape of your gun and starts to make sense.

The finished product will look as good as the effort and time you put into it

Turn Around and Repeat

For the most part, pistols are pretty symmetrical. After you finish wrapping the first side it's time to turn the gun around and do the exact same thing on this side. When it comes to the front and back of the pistol grip and trigger guard, we recommend cutting the edge of the vinyl in a meandering "S" shape cut, which provides the best blend and seamless look. Overlap the material and press firmly.

After both sides of the pistol are wrapped, the vinyl piece labeled "slide" can be used to wrap the top of the gun. Obviously this piece is designed for slide actions, but if your pistol does not have a slide (ie: a revolver) you may use this piece to wrap any previously unwrapped surface as you please, such as a the cylinder. Pistol Skins contain roughly 120 square inches of material, which is more than enough to wrap any pistol. It's up to you to decide how much or how little of the gun to wrap.

No Two Pistols are Alike

It's so amazing to see how no two pistols wrapped in GunSkins are alike. Everyone adds a unique touch and there is no wrong way to do it. Some have wrapped only the pistol grip, while still others only add some color to the slide action. We have even used more than one camouflage pattern on a single pistol. Hey, why not?

GunSkins protect the gun. Therefore, the more you add to your pistol, the more protection you can count on. Pistol Skins are very durable and are designed to take the beating of everyday use. Better the skin receive the abuse than your gun, right? No matter what the gun, GunSkins has you covered!