Tired of blued gun, need new coating suggestions

[thebigunit]

I've got a tikka varmint that I keep having a small rust issue with. I keep it clean and oiled, yet this gun seems to keep picking up a speck here and there. I would really like an anodized finish like my black guns. never had any issues with them, really haven't had any issues with any of my other blued guns either.

what cost effective coatings are available to me? I looked at hydro dipping, definitely not my thing. Cerakote? Parkerizing? how effective is painting with products designed for metal?

I went to the local gun shops and there are only 2 people in the area that they could refer me to, but they only do hydro dipping. Looked on the web and not really finding what I want.

any suggestions, companies you have used? any info would be helpful as this is my first venture into dealing with recoating a firearm.lightbulb

 

[azsugarbear]

What is your budget and how important are cosmetics to you. Most of my guns are built to shoot out in the wilds, so they get scratches, dings, etc. My favorite coatings are earth shades of Krylon - about $4 at Home Depot.

 

[4bycamper]

If you are looking for a firearm coating, there is not much better than Duracote or Ceracote. If you have an oven to bake-on the finish use Ceracote. Both are 2 part coatings used with a reducer and a low pressure air brush

Duracote is much more forgiving if you air dry or use a lower drying temp. The dashboard of my truck in the summer gets up to 150*F. This has provided an excellent curing box for my stalking type rifles. So far I've only used black but there are a lot of color choices.

The final finish is durable and rustproof. Also it is easy to repair the finish if you drop the rifle on a sharp rock and put in the first "ding" in the finish.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Cerakote is good stuff. Lasts a long time, too.

 

[garsticker]

Call Lee at Blackicecoatings.com He does a powdercoat teflon that is freakin awesome...will never durakote or anything again..he does everything on the gun that is metal..I don't even have to use lube on my bolt

 

[Trever]

+1 on duracoat it is cost effective and as far as lube just get it done in self lubricating (SL) same colors and basically same finish if you want I can text you pics of SL matte finish duracoat on an 870. I love this stuff. Just sold all my finishing equipment because of upcoming move and don't have space up there.

 

[Jammer65]

I have had the best luck with Cerakote.

 

[4bycamper]

I have had the best luck with Cerakote.

Could you 'splain a little more about that?

Inquiring minds will want to know.

 

[Jammer65]

Could you 'splain a little more about that?

Inquiring minds will want to know.

I have tried Gun Kote, Brownells Baking Laquer and Duracote. None of them were as durable as Cerakote.

 

[4bycamper]

How did you bake your Cerakote?

 

[Jammer65]

I made my own curing oven out of two pieces of heating vent pipe. 1- 12" with 8" inside of it and fiberglass insulation between the two to help it retain the heat inside. A 90 degree elbow at the bottom of the 8" with a cap in it, and a hole in the cap just big enough to put the nozzle of an electric heat gun into it. Another cap at the top of the 8" with a dozen or so 1/4" holes for outflow. A wood frame was then constructed to stand it upright. Then use a laser thermometer to monitor the temperature of the barreled action, adjusting the heat gun as needed.

 

[thebigunit]

thanks guys for all the replies. as far as budget, i'm not really sure. i'd spend the money if I thought it was actually worth it. I want durable and rustproof. looks like paint, duracote and cerakote all receive votes. I will look at these options more and even contact the bake on Teflon guy for his options.

considering my $900 tikka shot 10 hole group that was completely covered with a dime at 100yd after a 3 shot sight-in using Federal AE223, I want to keep the outside working as nice as the inside.

if you have any vendors and suggestions, please feel free to post more as I will continue to check this post over time

 

[ShootnMathews]

I have only used alumahyde II that applied myself. $12 at brownells and buy a can of brake cleaner to degrease with. It's been on the gun for 3 months and so far it's holding up great. And this gun sees a lot of action. Note : be sure to let it cure for at least 5 days before touching it or reassembling. For a DIY finish I rate it a 10. Comes in a shake and spray can, inexpensive, holds up very well to every day abuse, really fast and easy to apply.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I've got a few rifles that are Cerakoted (with another on the way). I had one rifle that was done in Duracote (sp) & it did not hold up.

Chad Dixon has done two with the third in progress does a bad *** Cerakote:

LongRifles, Inc.



Or this dude.

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Here is the last one Chad did for me:





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