Gunsmithing Coating the inside of the action

Nocalphoenix

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 19, 2008
1,015
4
Montana
Morning guys,
How do you go about getting consistent coverage when doing the interior of the action with cerakote or duracoat? If I have the barrel pulled its not an issue, I think I do a pretty good job the with proper coating thickness and such. The problem now is coating a barreled Tikka action, I do not have an action wrench to pull or reinstall the barrel. Do you plug the chamber and try to coat where you can using a small airbrush? I want it to look good and Im not feeling real confident in being able to get around the lug recess and forward parts of the action. The small ejection port and enclosed top do not make it any easier, any tips are greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

not sure about a bolt gun.. but i didnt coat the inside of my msg-90 clone, i just krylon'ed the out side. How ever this spring when i black oxide the whole action i will kg coat the inside and to me id say i will most likely just plug the chamber and coat it the best i can with a small air brush, the inside of the action will be oily most of the time so rust isnt a big worry of mine.

i would say do the best you can and thats all you can do
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Moroni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I NEVER do the inside of anything unless the customer wants it done and even then I tell them that I dont like it it makes things to tight and reliable function goes down the drain. </div></div>

I use Norrels which is thin enough you can coat an AR barrel under the FSB oil it up and put it on. When you take it off the norrels is unharmed 90% of the time. The biggest beef I have with Dura is its thickness. It does have some upsides but damn its thick.

I tape off the outside of the action, put an empty casing in the chamber and go to town with the airbrush. After I think its good enough in there I pull the tape put it in the oven and cure it. When thats done I clean it with acetone and go after the outside. Sorta time consuming but gets the job done.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

The best way to do it is to turn the material knob down, finest spray, and adjust the air for the best flow on your sprayer. Make sure that you coat the inside before the outside to avoid edge build up.
Every brand of Actions have different tolerances. Many of them have the room for a coating of cerakote, some do not. Make sure to plug your chamber and I advise against putting any coating on your bolt face. With most factory guns the tolerances are loose enough to not have to worry about head spacing issues, but it still may be a concern.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

Used Norrells myself on about dozen auto pistols. Been mixing a the flat with high gloss and producing a great looking end product. Goes on thin and it's tough, generally shooting the entire slide inside and out without ill effects. It does wear off on the rails for sure. Doing a bolt gun I'd for sure plug the chamber. May have to spray my Rem tactical one of these days as I really like it's rust resistance.

As Cerakote goes I can't say, looks like a great product. My question is if you had to re-shoot it say due to a bad scape can you? Thought I'd read some where that you couldn't with out a complete refinish job.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tpowers</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The best way to do it is to turn the material knob down, finest spray, and adjust the air for the best flow on your sprayer. Make sure that you coat the inside before the outside to avoid edge build up.
Every brand of Actions have different tolerances. Many of them have the room for a coating of cerakote, some do not. Make sure to plug your chamber and I advise against putting any coating on your bolt face. With most factory guns the tolerances are loose enough to not have to worry about head spacing issues, but it still may be a concern. </div></div>

Thanks guys, the cerakote inside is more for just looking like a finished job, action is already stainless and just wanted the final touch. The Tikka actually has a lot of slop in the action until you drop the handle and then its feels tighter than a run of the mill M700. Todd your going to be getting the bolt soon for the Ion bond so I wont be messing with it at all.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

How tight would it make a 700 action? I have spots of wear on my action where the parkerised finish has worn... my intention is to cerakote the inside of the action.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Moroni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I NEVER do the inside of anything unless the customer wants it done and even then I tell them that I dont like it it makes things to tight and reliable function goes down the drain. </div></div>

Unless it's a BR action, I've never seen this problem. I've coated the inside of Remmy's, Tikkas, and even a Ruger, they all cycle beautifully when the Duracoat is cured. As a matter of fact, once I Teflon dry lube the bolt body, the coated parts cycle better than ones that aren't coated.

-matt
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

tpowers is right on.

Shouldnt have a problem with coating the action and bolt on Tikka, 700, savage, etc. Even most of the custom actions are ok to coat inside as long as the bolt doesnt get coated. As long as you are using cerakote or KG. If you are using duracoat, stay out of the action.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

Thanks a bunch guys, Sniper grey came out perfect for what I was looking for. Bolt will be heading to Todd for Ionbond and I will be done. Stock was sponged by my short assistants.

b447c210.jpg
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

A medium pizza with pepperoni and jalapenos (he is the one that demands the jalapenos) will get you a sweet sponge paint job on any stock. He had help from his brother and sister but once I gave them a base coat of green and tan cerakote they went at it with the sponges and this was their finished product.
 
Re: Coating the inside of the action

I've sprayed a McMillan .50bmg action and a couple of 700 actions. I plugged the chamber and sprayed a light coat of Duracoat on the inside of the action and I haven't had any problems at all. The "Self-Lubricating" version of Duracoat would probably be a good choice for the inside of actions if you choose to spray 'em.