I have an older Leupold 1.5x5 scope that is turning plum colored. In my opinion it is not at all attractive and I was wondering if anything can be applied to it to make it less noticeable. I have not yet checked with Leupold about anything that they can do, but plan to call them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Send it back to Leupold. A friend of mine recently bought a rifle at an auction that was wearing an old Vari X II 2x7 that had turned purple. I suggested he call Leupold. They told him to send it in for an examination. Leupold then called him and said sorry we can't fix the old scope, would it be OK if we just sent you a new VX II to replace it. Of course he said yes.

Leupold does not offer refinishing for used scopes, nor do they normally warrant appearance items. They might replace a recent scope that clearly has a factory defect in its finish.

My guess is that there was some problem with the scope Labman refers to other than just its appearance, which is why they replaced it at no charge. If your Leupold is "purpling out", as they sometimes do, but is otherwise functioning properly, your only option is to use it as-is or sell it in order to buy a replacement. However, sending it to Leupold for a look-see will only cost you the shipping and there's a chance it could earn you some benenfits.

I have a couple of old Leupold 3x scopes that have turned plum color. I don't worry about the color so much, and personally wouldn't return the scope to Leupold because of that issue alone, but your mileage may vary; you may want to do that.
I think of it as something associated with antiques, in some way dating it. I have the scopes on older Rem Model 722's from that same era and they do look "period".

Don

G.Hansen,

Thanks for the info and link. I'll store that in case I ever get the urge to change a scope's finish.

Don

that is very common on early production scopes and is about the only thing they won't warranty I've seen whole scopes turn purple and sometimes just the lens retaining rings

I've got an old 4x that's plum all over, except where the rings were. It's sitting on my daughter's 22 right now. She thinks it looks cool. There are several "honest" dings on it too. Looks like it's had a long history of use. It still works perfectly though. I'll never have it refinished.

It came off my uncle's M70 30-06. I only took it off because it has the ultra thin wire cross hair with the fine dot in the center. No way I can hunt deer with that reticle! My daughter's (young) eyesight is good enough that she's deadly on squirrels with it.

Sorry for rambling on...

Anodizing involves the use of dyes to achieve the desired color. Some of these dyes fade over time.

quote:

Originally posted by KurtC:
Anodizing involves the use of dyes to achieve the desired color. Some of these dyes fade over time.

The anodizing is dyed and requires a nickle acetate sealer to help protect it from UV fading. If Leupold or its vendors missed a sealing step when anodizing psrts there might be much increased rate of purpling.
Keeping your scopes in a safe protected from UV from florescent lights as much as possible will help prevent fading.

None of my Leupolds are plum colored but the frame of my Ruger Old Model .41 circa 1968 is pretty darn plum/brassy colored.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:Keeping your scopes in a safe protected from UV from florescent lights as much as possible will help prevent fading.

That's good to know, and I had never considered doing that. But, I will now.

Thanks for the info!!

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Doctor D:
None of my Leupolds are plum colored but the frame of my Ruger Old Model .41 circa 1968 is pretty darn plum/brassy colored.

Ruger uses cast steel for frames and receivers. When "blued" it often has a purplish hue to it. CZ 550 receivers are also cast and blue differently from the forged barrels. I've had older rifles with Antinit steel barrels that have a purple tint to them as well.

quote:

Originally posted by KurtC:

quote:

Originally posted by Doctor D:
None of my Leupolds are plum colored but the frame of my Ruger Old Model .41 circa 1968 is pretty darn plum/brassy colored.

Ruger uses cast steel for frames and receivers. When "blued" it often has a purplish hue to it. CZ 550 receivers are also cast and blue differently from the forged barrels. I've had older rifles with Antinit steel barrels that have a purple tint to them as well.

Good point about bluing cast steel receivers. I had forgotten about the purple tint on the receiver of the Ruger Number 1 that I had.
Not sure I'm in love with that tint...