Gunsmithing Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

[Falar]

Besides Duracoat (which doesn't seem to last) or Cerakote (which is expensive) what are some options to finish a stainless barrel? I ordered my first custom barrel and am wondering how I'm going to blacken it. I'm not too impressed with Alumahyde either, I used it on a muzzle brake and it didn't hold up very well.

 

[300sniper]

Re: Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

i've been really happy with norells moly resin. i have used it on lots of stainless barrels now with great results. it is a bit less involved than cerakote as there is no mixing required. you still need to have the barrel aluminum oxide blasted but you can spray it with a cheap hobby airbrush and bake it in your kitchen oven, if it will fit.

i have the technology to apply any of the spray on finishes but i see no reason to use anything other than moly resin.

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

+1 on the moly resin, not difficult to work with and pretty tough. It's also thin unlike
normal paints so it doesn't look too bad if you do manage to scratch it.

 

[Kells81]

Re: Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

+1 for norrells,

I have been using it for about 4 years now. It is tough, thin and looks great. I have been able to finish barrels for my AR's slide the gas block on and off and it hangs tough.

 

[mike_l]

Re: Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

You could try black oxide have a guy that does it for me and it looks great and its cheap between $65 and $100 depending on the ammount of parts

 

[ltfirehunter]

Re: Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

The baking part is my problem like so many. With a 26in tube plus the reciever it's pert near impossible.

And having someone to finish for you is not real cheap.

 

[donws2]

Re: Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

You can bake it with a gas grill if it want fit in your oven. Just hang it well above the grill on some uncoated wire and turn the grill on its lowest setting. Place barrel high enough that you can hold your hand at the same level for a few seconds. You just want enough heat to cure the coating not burn it. Best done on a non windy day as keeping the heat even is a pain with wind blowing. You may want to set it up so you can rotate the barrel to keep the heat even on both sides. It's not a pretty way to do it but it will work. Donald

 

[sniper307]

Re: Finish for Stainless barrels/parts

krylon. cheap, easy, and you can touch it up or change colors at will.