dura-coating

[quartermaster]

Wondering how dura-coating holds up in the long run on a hunting rifle. I have 2 rifles that have had it applied to, but I haven't had them for a long enough time, nor have they been exposed to any harsh elements to know its durability. I'm going to do another build and was hoping for some pros and cons.

Thanks in advance QM

 

[jsthntn247]

Just took all my Duracoat off because it was peeling. I re-coated it with Norrell's Molly and it's allot better finish. I made a "gun oven" out of stove pipe and a hot plate to bake the finish on. It goes on allot easier than duracoat and less mess.

 

[Glenn Powell]

Jsthntn247, that stove pipe idea is a great one! I have been wanting to do some coating and haven't been able to figure out how to heat it to temp. How do you regulate heat? What thermometer do ya use?

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I just dura-coted a piece on my rifle (5 coats) and it rubbed off pretty easily over a 5 day period in the field. Granted, it was on an edge that got more abused than the rest.

If I could figure out how to do gunkote or cerakote at home, I would.

 

[boltfluter]

Cerakote is not that hard to spray once you get the hang of it. Be happy to help if you pm me.

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[DaveWhite]

Jsthntn247, that stove pipe idea is a great one! I have been wanting to do some coating and haven't been able to figure out how to heat it to temp. How do you regulate heat? What thermometer do ya use?

+1 on that! Please post pictures if you can. this sure beats trying to do that in the old lady's oven!!!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

What was the metal prep on the guns where Dura Coat didn't hold up? I've found it very good with proper prep.

 

[Larryh128]

Prep work is pretty much vital when doing any spray on finish. I have done several guns with dura-coat including one that has taken a couple rough trips to Alaska & Africa for a friend. It has held up very well. It should never rub off unless it couldn't bite into the surface or the mixing ratio was off.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I am not a professional at all, I just followed the directions that came with the kit. I stripped a muzzle brake, prepped it, and sprayed it. I put 5 coats on and maybe that wasn't enough. To be fair, it did not come flaking off or anything. It just rubbed through at two edges. I'm not even sure how it happened. I don't typically rest my rifle on the muzzle brake after all...

For prep, I used the components that came with the kit. I did not sand the surface down to a polish, I left it somewhat cross-hatched. There were two prep materials, a cleaner and then some sort of priming agent (sorry, I'm at work or I would get the exact name of them) that I used before actually spraying.

 

[Larryh128]

You didn't get proper adhesion, real vital to either blast with about 120 grit media OR use a scotchbrite pad making sure that you get the edges as well. If the edges are super sharp, that could contribute to your issue. On muzzle breaks or barrels period, I always break the edge about a 1/16". (radius)

 

[Jay Christopherson]

The edge does have a radius on it and I did use a scotchbrite pad, but I suspect that maybe the edge got a little too smooth.

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

Jsthntn247, that stove pipe idea is a great one! I have been wanting to do some coating and haven't been able to figure out how to heat it to temp. How do you regulate heat? What thermometer do ya use?

+1 on that! Please post pictures if you can. this sure beats trying to do that in the old lady's oven!!!
She will beat you for doing that.

 

[jsthntn247]

I'll try and post some pics of the setup tomorrow. Best friend got married so I've been out of town. Basically, I took 48" of 8" stove pipe and wrapped it in adhesive backed duct insulation. I capped it at the top and stuck a grill thermometer and a eye hook through it. I hang the guns on the eye hook with a short piece of coat hanger. I used a 19 dollar 1000 watt hot plate from ace hardware to heat it. I made some legs out of 1/4 in flat metal so the pipe is off the ground and the hot plate slides right under it. I got a big Tupperware container and a siphon feed blaster from tractor supply. I held the gun over the container and blasted the old finish off at 90 psi. I don't have enough room for a blasting booth, and this worked perfectly and didn't loose very much media. Make sure to wear a breathing mask and goggles when painting and blasting. I'll post pics of my setup and some guns I've done recently.

 

[jsthntn247]

Ok fellas here are some pics.

This is a picture of the oven with hot plate

Oven will hold this all day long. Notice the bolt to the eye hook for gun hanging

Blasting center with Aluminum Oxide

The action blasted on my F/TR rifle, notice the media caught in bottom of tupperware

Paint set up, cheap harbor freight air brush with water filter on air line. Non clorinated brake cleater for degreasing and leather gloves when blasting. Use latex cloves when painting. Always wear a respirator and goggles.

Couple of gun pics

I've got about $150 in this set up all together. I've done 4 of my guns and still have plenty of Aluminum oxide left for other guns. I'm might do a couple of guns for a friend in exchange for a trophy deer hunt at his family's land on the river. All in all turned out pretty well. The Norrell's is extremely easy to use and isn't coming off muzzles or muzzle brakes.

 

[Glenn Powell]

Now that is a setup I think I can handle! Thanks bud, you might have just saved me a boat load of cash!

 

[bbuddtec]

Nice work! Great ideas, thanks!