Home application barrel finish

[FrogFire7]

What do you guys recommend for an at-home barrel finish?

I have a polished stainless X-caliber barrel coming. Usually I leave stainless, but think I want to put a finish on this one.

I've never really liked spray paint; I probably get it too thick and it always seems smelly to me.

Curious what others use. Durability is obviously a plus.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Although I don't like it, the only durable coatings are Cerrokote or chemical blackening for stainless.

Cheers.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Cerakote or DuraCoat

 

[FrogFire7]

Yeah I am trying to avoid cerakote but I don't necessarily dislike it. Have heard alumihyde may be an option

 

[MagnumManiac]

Yeah I am trying to avoid cerakote but I don't necessarily dislike it. Have heard alumihyde may be an option

I try to avoid nasty toxic chemicals, but, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I rust blue at home…

Cheers.

 

[dfanonymous]

Yeah I am trying to avoid cerakote but I don't necessarily dislike it. Have heard alumihyde may be an option

Nothing really compares to cerakote in terms of durability. Just like nothing really compares to blueing for avoiding thickness build up.

Cerakote has a some newer options, if you're not aware, like an air cure option. As far as toxicity it's PFAS free, which is good.

The only thing is you'll still need to degrease, and if your surface is super smooth you'll want to bead blast still.

I did alumahyde 2 on a XLR chassis. It rubbed off when the action beds in, then stuck to the action. It chips off on edges and stuff too. I really don't think it's close to as good as Cerakote in terms of quality. It's only plus side is….you can rattle can it.

 

[Jester896]

Have heard alumihyde may be an option

I have usually been disappointed any time I've used it. The last can of matte clear I bought to do a stock was super gloss.

 

[birdiemc]

KG Coatings is a good alternative to cerakote. Been a while since I done anything with any guns, was a little busy failing with an unrelated business, but about 4 years ago I was trying to decide which paint to use and did one rifle with cerakote then switched to KG, no 2 part mixes, still have to bake but can do a quick 15 min bake in between colors instead of having to do full bake, wipes off with acetone if unbaked....pretty forgiving.

 

[Shubey]

Nothing really compares to cerakote in terms of durability. Just like nothing really compares to blueing for avoiding thickness build up.

Cerakote has a some newer options, if you're not aware, like an air cure option. As far as toxicity it's PFAS free, which is good.

The only thing is you'll still need to degrease, and if your surface is super smooth you'll want to bead blast still.

I did alumahyde 2 on a XLR chassis. It rubbed off when the action beds in, then stuck to the action. It chips off on edges and stuff too. I really don't think it's close to as good as Cerakote in terms of quality. It's only plus side is….you can rattle can it.

Sir, Can you use Cerakote without the need of heating in an oven? If so, what brand& where do I buy? Regards,D.

 

[mtbullet1]

i use a lite bead blast, to a matte finish, and apply gun oil to bbl while still a little warm, give a nice durable
'gun metal gray" finish

 

[Josh06]

Look into the air cure Cerakote (c-series), I've been using it for several years and it holds up great compared to alumahyde and other diy finishes.

 

[Josh06]

Sir, Can you use Cerakote without the need of heating in an oven? If so, what brand& where do I buy? Regards,D.

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating?finishes=cera_c_series

I'm not who you are replying to but above is the link. I order directly from cerakote or you can get it on amazon as well.

 

[Will.284]

Yeah I am trying to avoid cerakote but I don't necessarily dislike it. Have heard alumihyde may be an option

The alumihyde stuff is awesome and I use it often and wears great

 

[letzhunt]

Birchwood Presto Black SSB is a wipe on or submersion to turn stainless black. It can be spotty though. you can fill a tube of some sort and submerge it if the action is still on and just adjust to where to hang the barrel to get full penetration. Oil applied after let soak and clean a bit. I have also had professional black oxide done and it was way cheaper than having a Cedrakote but the parts must be separate to do that.