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Hi folks,

If I had a blued barrel and receiver that I wanted to make "rust proof", what coating system would you use?

Cerakote....I have this on several rifles and it's performed great. It's a baked on ceramic coating that is very resistant to corrosion and abrasion. My rifles were done by CAS, but there are several others that get mentioned regularly here at the "fire"....http://www.riflestockpainting.com/. is a link to CAS's website....Charlie is a standup guy

What's it run $$ approximately?

not trying to steal your thread but is there anything that a guy who is half way handy do himself? i've seen the CeraKote at Brownelles for not much. does a guy need to bake it or can that stuff cure on it's own?

Good question - was thinking that myself.

Cerakote offers both a Air-Dry Formula and an Oven-Cure Formula.
Application Guide:
http://www.nicindustries.com/images...&%20Primer%20Application%20Guide.pdf

If I had a bead blaster at home I'd go for it.

Doug Burche at Ultra Coatings Inc. has done a couple for me and the quality is very nice.
Eddie Fosnaugh will get my next project.

There is air dry Cerakote.

There is also Aluma-Hyde, Duracoat, Gun-Kote and Moly/Teflon several others.

All available from Brownells.

Brownells paint type finishes

They all require a bit of skill in prep and in application but they all will produce an acceptable or better finish.

An alternative - How about Teflon? - that's what my GS commends. I have read somewhere about a product called Dura Coat.

do you have to bead blast it? can you just rough it up with some 900 grit? i might have to give it a go on the Howa just for S&G's....

Scotch Brite Pads and a couple cans of Brake Cleaner should do it. Others use ovens to burn off any residues. A bead blaster will give it a more uniform texture before spraying. Mixing, air pressure, moisture control, spray tips, room temps, other equipment all factor in too.

thanks! i think i'm going to have to try it! i mean heck, what's the worst that could happen? i have to send it out to be coated and they'll have to bead blast it again anyway right?

Your rifles are always beautiful. I have a feeling you will do well with the Cerakote...

thanks! i'll post pictures when i do it. won't be for a while as i've way to many other projects going on but i can like the idea of a DIY coating.

I've done several with air dry Cerakote,it's very durable. I would not trust Scotchbrite or 900 grit for adhesion. You can buy a handheld blaster for about 50.00 bucks, you just can't recycle.Black Magic fine media works well and is 12.00 bucks for a 50lb bag, helluva lot cheaper than Aluminum oxide.You can use a propane torch to heat the metal prior and watch the moisture evaporate.Just be sure to plug the bore before blasting and spraying.

anything special to know about coating around the crown? type of plug to use? plastic or is wood fine?

don't like that post count.

lead bullets work well, just be easy and plug the chamber with a rag or paper towel.

Edited to add, clean it well after, that sand gets everywhere...

roger, how do you keep from getting a line in the finish? i assume it doesn't dry super fast. so you hang is by the action screws or something?

I have a Sav 99 that has the John Norrell Moly Resin home baked on finish on it. It seems to be holding up well for a cheap fix. Good luck.

Yeah,just an action screw, and i don't spray the jewelled area of the bolt, so i tape them and then just use wire to wrap around the tape and hang it.It may look a bit ununiform when wet, but when it dries it's sweet!

If you plan on spraying the entire bolt i would tape at the locking lugs and hang it from there.