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Self Etching Primer on Stainless Barrel

I know there are a lot of different ways I could or should have done this. And I may before it’s over with. Cerakote or Black oxide or nitride beforehand would have been good. I really don’t want to remove the barrel from the action. My goal is simply to cut the shine of the polished stainless barrel. It gives off too much reflection when hunting. Looks are secondary here. I‘m more concerned with function. My plan is to rough up the stainless, clean with Acetone, then use a dark olive self etching primer. Then follow that with either an olive drab or matte Black top coat. Or a camo coat. I know I would need to protect the muzzle and crown. My question is. Is the use of self etching primer ok?
 
That's what it's made for. Roughing it up with steel wool or sandpaper or bead blasting is not enough?
Stick an ear plug in the muzzle and paint away. I usually just degrease and put whatever paint I have on if just doing rattle can without primer though.
 
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My goal is simply to cut the shine of the polished stainless barrel. It gives off too much reflection when hunting. Looks are secondary here. I‘m more concerned with function.
Why not just clean it with the acetone and spray it with a plain old Krylon rattle can in some sort of matte color? If it gets scratched down the road remove it with more acetone and paint it again. I did this when I was younger because their wasn’t any Cerakote to be had and I didn’t have the money anyway :)
 
Id take either a grey NOT red 3M scuff pad (body shop guy here) and or 0000 steel wool to take the shine off that stick. You can get a very fine finish that will dull the stainless and it cold be polished after if not liked. If going more aggressive then a dark red or marroon 3M scotch pad will definitely dull that thing. I always start finer first and work more course grit if needed.
 
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Self etching primer would be fine in my opinion.

Although I have no first hand experience with it I know some people are using VHT engine enamel or Duplicolor engine enamel and sticking it in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes and report that the result is excellent durability especially considering the low cost and ease of execution. There's a color called something like cast iron that is said to closely match Magpul's stealth gray.

Of course it would take a big oven to fit in a barreled action. Maybe careful use of a heat gun?
 
I’m not necessarily worried about resale. i just built it and the way it shoots it’s not going anywhere. Plus the barrel is on about a 5 year timeframe before replacement. I rarely If ever sell my guns. This particular gun, as most of mine are, is a purpose built tool. I just happened to hit a deal on this polished barrel.
My concern is paint adhesion. I’d prefer a flatter black but steel wool may take it down to a satisfactory point. Anything stainless I’ve ever tried to paint had some issues with adherence. Hence my question on etching primer.
 
Mechanical tooth is cut in half on metal.
180grit is roughly the equivalent of 320 grit on metal.
Clean and de grease before spraying a epoxy primer.
You want the epoxy to go on thin as its just an adhesion promoter let epoxy set .5-1 hour before top coating.
 
To bake use a barbecue, top open . Get your temp first . Use coat hangers to hang it from
I had a really good oven built for curing longbows and recurves. But the flood of 2015 got that.
Mechanical tooth is cut in half on metal.
180grit is roughly the equivalent of 320 grit on metal.
Clean and de grease before spraying a epoxy primer.
You want the epoxy to go on thin as its just an adhesion promoter let epoxy set .5-1 hour before top coating.
Sounds like a plan. I’m pretty much a Jack of all trades. Minus 1. I’m no paint guy. I can do it but I don’t have to like it. What epoxy coat and top coat would you recommend?
 
I've always sand blasted the barrel with coal slag, spray it down with brake cleaner and then 2-3 coats Rust-Oleum paint and primer in one. Comes out with a fix matte finish that's never coming off.
 
Nason makes a good economical epoxy 1-1 mix ratio.
It has a half hour induction period after mixing, before spraying.

Here's the shitty part, I believe quarts are the smallest as packaged.
Shoot me a PM with your particulars and I'll send you enough to do your barreled action.
 

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