What do you guys like for a finish?

Re: What do you guys like for a finish?

My rifle was cerakoated by the company I had purchased it from. I must say that it seems insanely durable. I have since painted over the cerakoat with krylon to get a more desirable look for me but the cerakoat has never once cracked, chipped or anything. I think it's about as tough as it gets. You wouldn't be disappointed.
 
Re: What do you guys like for a finish?

I just posted about spraying my 40X with Aluma-HydeII. Don't know how durable it is yet but it looks great. You don't bake it but some people recommend warming the parts before you spray. I didn't. In fact, it was a little cold in my shed when I did it. We'll see how it holds up. I'll post pics ASAP.
 
Re: What do you guys like for a finish?

Oh, one other thing I did... and I don't know where I got this idea. May have been here on the Hide. to protect the crown I took one of those ear-plugs that you squish and it expands in your ear and used it in the muzzle. Works like a charm.

(I would remove it before baking if you go that route)
 
Re: What do you guys like for a finish?

Birdsong green-t. I read somewhere online an independant test was done with a salt water spray and was stopped after 7,000 hours because no sign of corrosion took place on the metal that the finish covered. It is also non IR reflective.
 
Re: What do you guys like for a finish?

I did a rifle and a pistol in Brownells Alumi Hyde II. Both turned out well but, the finish is rather 'thick' and the slide on the pistol took a LOT of work to run smooth. I had no trouble with the rifle, everything went together just fine. The finish is holding up better than I expected for a 'rattle can' job. If you decide to use Brownells finishes I'd suggest getting their video on prep and application. I followed their suggestions to the letter and had zero problems. I also made a 'heat box' with three 200 watt bulbs to pre-heat before painting and heat cure the parts after painting.
Good luck!
 
Re: What do you guys like for a finish?

Good results with Aluma-Hyde II. I used an old green house in the summer to heat up the parts to 90 deg +. Let it dry for 5 days and put it back together. I used it in the feild for a few weeks and the only chips were on my brass deflector (M4) and ejection port cover. Really impressed for a rattle can.
 
Re: What do you guys like for a finish?

If you do use a spray can, I recommend Brownells Gun Kote. I have had bad resluts with Alumahyde. It isn't very durable and can be scratched off with your fingernail. This was my experience, YMMV.