Finishes.

[RP12]

Thinking of Duracoat or Cerakote. Which one is better, easier ?
Do you do the inside of the action ?

[The_Agent_]

Go with Cerakote, its a much better finish IMO. I believe it can be sprayed in the action since the coating thickness is extremely thin and wont rub off the moving parts. The only down side it you need someone to do the process for you, unless you have all the equipment needed for the application.

[snowgetter1]

I have never used caracoat, but it may be more durable than duracoat just from appearance and baking. But, it is a lot more work in the prep and requires baking. I just don't have an oven big enough to hang a 36" barreled action. So, I used duracoat. Duracoat is easy to use and has a great selection of colors. But, it may only be slightly better than any good rattle can for paint. I have a lot of rifles and shotguns painted. Of my main duck and goose guns, one is rattle can and the other duracoat. Both have worn from use and both have very similar wear. Main benefit of duracoat over rattle can, duracoat is a little more scratch resistant.

[davegar1]

I've used both and cerakote takes a little more prep but durability doesn't even compare to durcoat. You can use air cure cerakote which requires no oven just a little more time to cure.

[BillPa]

durability doesn't even compare to durcoat.


Amen to that.

http://i39.tinypic.com/fy00nm.jpg

See the T handle on the Cowen rest on the left? I sprayed it, the body and leg screws with matte black Duracoat a few years ago. For some reason I thought it would look better bright polished than matte black.

To make a long story short I had to press the screw out of the handle, chuck them in the lathe and use emery to sand it off! Paint stripper only made it wet!

Yeah, its tough stuff!!!!

Bill

[snowgetter1]

I've used both and cerakote takes a little more prep but durability doesn't even compare to durcoat. You can use air cure cerakote which requires no oven just a little more time to cure.

So baking is not required to get the hard finish? If so I will give cerakote a shot on the new project.

[davegar1]

If I recall correctly theres three types: heat cure, air cure, and a high heat formula for barrels and such. I've used both heat and air cured and they both hold up the same. The non heat version is easier to apply than duracoat. 3 words prep, prep, and prep.

[aubie515]

It's a joke to even put Duracoat in the same sentence as Cerakote. Duracoat sucks. You will always get a better product with thermal cured products.

Prepping is always going to be the most important factor in refinishing...regardless of what product you choose.

I haven't purchased Cerakote to use, but I have firearms that I had Cerakoted and it's a durable finish. I use KG Gunkote/Norrell's Moly Resin and they work very well.

Cerakoted Sako TRG 42 barrel/action...the OD green is anodized
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/aubie515/XLRchassis033.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/aubie515/media/XLRchassis033.jpg.html)

Norrell's Moly Resin
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/aubie515/ForSale09002.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/aubie515/media/ForSale09002.jpg.html)

KG Gunkote
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/aubie515/PLR22finished001.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/aubie515/media/PLR22finished001.jpg.html)