Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Cerakote or other options?

For a Leupold FXII 4X33, the reason is the scope is new and has a German #4 reticle.

It has a gloss finish and I want to find the best way to change it to matte.

I have seen that ASA Gunsmiths in Georgia cerakotes scopes, $150,...Anyone know about them or maybe another outfit to recommend ?

I know Leupold won't refinish it, but will they replace the tube?

What about Krylon or Alumahyde?

Yeah, Alumahyde is good stuff but I'm looking at a professional job.

I have had great results using Eddie Fosnaugh.

Eddie does good work.

https://www.ftwcoatings.com/#prices

I used these guys who are local where I live. They did a rifle and scope for me in camo. I have been extremely happy with their work and would recommend them based on my experience.

The 4x33 is available in Matte but the German #4 may be a custom shop item only. The prices have gone up on a recticle change so could be a wash compared to the cost of Cerakote, but should be more durable. Although a much larger scope the 6x42 Meopta Meopro is a good one and the #4 reticle is a factory option. It is matte finished.

On another post someone wrote the custom shop is eliminated. I thought they just raised prices and reduced option, now I am not sure. Premier Recticles will change it but I would check lead time before sending one off. (Mixed reviews now, used to be all positive)

A long time ago, in a galaxy not too far away, all rifle barrels were gloss blue and all rifle scopes were gloss black. In those "good old days" we used Johnson's ( or Turtle Wax) Paste wax as a light coat on the barrel and scope without buffing, to dull the shine. After hunting season we just buffed it out.

It was cheap, effective, and did not ruin the scope or rifle and actually helped as a rust preventative on the barrel.

It's your money, spend it as you will.....

The story is a few years ago I sent a M8 4X in for a reticle change from tapered crosswire to #4....I was at a Friday night football game and a lady from Leupold called and said there was water in the scope and they were going to send me a brand new FXII with the #4 reticle installed....I couldn't communicate well because of the crowd noise so I just said OK, Thanks a lot...

That was about 6-7 years ago and I haven't even mounted the scope....I don't like the gloss finish and don't like the #4 either after I had a chance to look at it

So looking for a 4x Leupold in matte, preferably with a duplex or refinish the one I have.

Great Idea ! Shadow....maybe a little paste wax smell but I and everything else I bring huntin' smells bad enough as it is. A little paste wax ain't gonna matter...Thanks for the tip!

The wax works well. Also Krylon clear matte, if you don't like it easy to take off.