Cerakote - i need a new project

[MikeGrad]

So my AR10 build got put on hold due tot he FFL situation, and in picking up other parts i had to settle for a bit of a mis-match. Black upper, FDE hand guard for example. While I’m waiting for the COVID mess to settle down i was thinking i would plan to do some painting / cerakote.

I was thinking a digital cameo, or maybe a burnt bronze, or a titanium. Pics for example

As a DIY’er is cerakote out of the question? I dont have a compressor or spray gun. I was looking at the Brownells Aluma-Hide which seams easier, but not a big choice of colors.

Second, if i wanted to go camo or digital camo how do you get the pattern? Ive seen a few YouTube videos but they dont really seem helpful.

If anyone has some links to good tips, products, etc that would help me plan i would appreciate it!

 

[Criticalt]

No clue but interested in this thread.
I absolutely hate blueing especially on utilitarian guns like my Mossberg 500.
I would like to coat it but I dont want to spend more on the coating than I did on the shotgun.

 

[Will556]

If you’re possibly interested I know someone that does Cerakoting. He could do it for you. He does it out of Orange County. Unless you’re only looking at doing it yourself, if that’s the case...good luck my dude.

 

[Saltwater60]

My father in law does KG gun coating. He says it’s better than ceratoating But he’s got some BS for sure. I have to say my Ruger LCPII slide was rusting and he refinished it for me in KG gun coat and it looks great and has held up great.
What I would say to you is if you don’t have the equipment and this is your only planned project pay some one. You will need a compressor and spray gun. KG gun coating gets backed so you’d need something to bake it in. Not sure on the ceracoating process but I know my FIL said it’s harder.

 

[Will556]

KG GunKote and Cerakote are kind of close to each other. Cerakote is definitely much more widely used and accepted in the firearms industry and has a much larger offering of colors. Even actual trademarked company Multicam has official colors made by Cerakote. Same thing with Magpul, Vortex, Mil-Spec...to name a few. All
I know are the best in the business use Cerakote. Look up companies like Blowndeadline (they’re the ones that made the Star Wars styles guns famous), Republic Rifle (they usually spray the Aero Precision monthly builder sets).

 

[repete]

If your going to DIY and don't have a compressor then check out Dura-coat two in on spray cans. They have a "can in a can" that you can break the seal and then shake mixing the paint and the activator. I've their 2 part paints and happy with the results but never used the spray cans.

 

[MikeGrad]

thanks everyone! I was kinda hoping to do this myself as a COVID project - right now i can only practice on stuff as i dont have my lower yet. Maybe i will have a pro do it though once assembly is complete. @NYGuns , can you post your AR pistol when its done? Im interested in what a COVID theme is.

I may pick up some Aluma-hyde or the Dura-Cote @repete mentioned and just see what i can do on some spare parts. I like the idea of being able to DIY it, even if its not the most durable way.

 

[Bustedknees]

www.duracoatfirearmfinishes.com
Bought a kit years ago but never tried it. The paint and hardners expire.

 

[Skinny420]

If you have no supplies it will be expensive, and no experience it's real easy to mess up any method. If I were you and never painted before but want camo with detail then try dipping it. Paint needs to be mixed perfect. Primer and base coat applied. Stencils added for most patterns then airbrushed for detail. It's a process. It's doable but you should try any method first on something you don't care much about. My Remington 870 duck gun has been covered in dust and about every color paint I've ever had. It has been a test subject on some good and bad paint jobs. I would try dipping small parts and work my way up. Ejection cover, reciever end plate, extra hand guards. Work on the parts that wouldn't really matter if they were perfect and by the time you get to the receiver you should be alright. You could even dip old skulls or fishing lures just for practice. And don't watch any videos on spray paint being sprayed in water. Hydro dipping film is what you want.

 

[Will556]

I personally like the rattlecan battleworn look. That’s what I did with my AR. I think it gives it character. It can absolutely be done with Cerakote also, it’s just costs more money. It would definitely be more durable then spray paint. But doing it with spray paint and having it wear off is kind of the point if that’s the type of look you’re going for. I also don’t mind the spray paint because you’re not removing the factory anodizing, you’re just covering it up with some paint.
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[Skinny420]

I like that paint job on that rifle. I also like the folder on it. It's my next add on for my beater gun. You should look at the cmmg 22lr conversion. It will fire with a the stock folded and has been reliable to me with any ammo I've given it. Let's ya shoot for pennies and don't go deaf doing it. I think the kit and a few boxes of ammo are a must have for a bug out bag gun like that.

 

[Will556]

I like that paint job on that rifle. I also like the folder on it. It's my next add on for my beater gun. You should look at the cmmg 22lr conversion. It will fire with a the stock folded and has been reliable to me with any ammo I've given it. Let's ya shoot for pennies and don't go deaf doing it. I think the kit and a few boxes of ammo are a must have for a bug out bag gun like that.

With the Law Tactical folder you can only fire 1 round while it’s folded since the bcg won’t move, then you’d have to unfold it and charge another round. If you’re looking to stay up in caliber and have a viable defense round in your rifles instead of shooting .22lr but still be able to fire folded, look into the Bren 180 upper. The entire recoil assembly is contained in the upper receiver. So you can have it folded and empty an entire magazine. But if you’re only shooting .22lr since it’s cheap, then it doesn’t matter.

 

[Podmonkey]

No clue but interested in this thread.
I absolutely hate blueing especially on utilitarian guns like my Mossberg 500.
I would like to coat it but I dont want to spend more on the coating than I did on the shotgun.

But a blued finish is so attractive! That deep blue black luster looks particularly good on a revolver. I realize it wears off easily, still looks good.

 

[Criticalt]

But a blued finish is so attractive! That deep blue black luster looks particularly good on a revolver. I realize it wears off easily, still looks good.

First of all I hate the fingerprints.
Then I hate the rusting on cheap bluing like Mossberg.

I like the look of bluing on my old ass 870 Wingmaster.
But when I have my Mossberg strapped on my horse all day in the rain, the gun gets looking shabby.

 

[Podmonkey]

First of all I hate the fingerprints.
Then I hate the rusting on cheap bluing like Mossberg.

I like the look of bluing on my old ass 870 Wingmaster.
But when I have my Mossberg strapped on my horse all day in the rain, the gun gets looking shabby.

No I hear you, not a working gun finish. I was just saying I like the appearance of blueing. It would be great if they could develop a coating that mimicked a blued finish.

 

[Will556]

No I hear you, not a working gun finish. I was just saying I like the appearance of blueing. It would be great if they could develop a coating that mimicked a blued finish.

There are a few Cerakote colors that are pretty close to bluing. Two that I can think of off the top of my head are Socom Blue H-245 and Midnight Blue H-238. The first three pictures are of Socom Blue, last three are of Midnight Blue.

 

[Podmonkey]

There are a few Cerakote colors that are pretty close to bluing. Two that I can think of off the top of my head are Socom Blue H-245 and Midnight Blue H-238. The first three pictures are of Socom Blue, last three are of Midnight Blue. View attachment 70874 View attachment 70876

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That's pretty close but would be better if it was a gloss finish. I was under the impression cerakote could only be matte.

 

[MuttCat]

Restored Mossberg Shotgun

 

[GUNSICK]

That's pretty close but would be better if it was a gloss finish. I was under the impression cerakote could only be matte.

The more hardened you use the glossier it’s gets.

 

[Robin]

The old rust bluing process is fairly long but the results are beautiful and actually does work as a rust preventative.
Robin