View Full Version : How to change my AR's finish?
ToyotaMan
10-03-2005, 10:08
My AR is in need of a new finish. I don't know if I want to repain it a solid matte black, or maybe go with desert tan color.
Can anyone give me some help on doing this? Do I need to strip the metal down to the bare metal? What type of paint do I need to use and how can I best apply it? I'm not looking to do a professional job, just something that will look good, but not cost too much.
toolman_556
10-03-2005, 11:32
don't strip it, I would not blast it, I'd just touch it up with whatever color you want. The anodizing is what gives the aluminum receivers their wear resistance, don't mess with that. While it can be blasted and reanodized, sizes of holes and pockets sometimes suffer adversely. For what you want, drive to the hardware store and pick up some aerosol color repair....
RMTactical
10-03-2005, 13:02
Yeah, you absolutely do not want to strip off the old finish because the anodizing on there is a process you don't want to do and is very important to the hardness of the aluminum.
I refinish with Gun-Kote. What you'd need to do is use acetone to remove all of the oil (you will need to use gloves because your hands have oil on them as well) from the stripped receiver. Heat up the receiver so it's just cool enough to hold (keep the gloves on). Then you can apply the Gun-Kote with an airbrush and bake the finsih on at about 300 degrees for 60 minutes.
Or you could just use Duracoat if you just want to change the color.
http://www.lauerweaponry.com/
These guys are the Duracoat experts, both for tech help and supplies.
I have Duracoat on my AR, just black, but it's a great finish.
Send it to Walter Birdsong and get his Black T coating. Do a search if you don't know anything about it. I had a AR done several years ago and it stills looks like new (and yes I shoot it).
RMTactical
10-06-2005, 05:30
Here's some pics of a few we've done with Gun-kote. Some with Black, grey, green...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/greenGK.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/9-22-05Marshall190.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/ARin.jpg
I even did the slide on this Arcus-94 with black Gun-Kote, it put the not so nice parkerizing to shame!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/Arcus-94.jpg
The Gun-Kote is actually a finish, whereas the Duracoat is more of a paint...
Here is some good pics of my brother's duracoat camo jobs.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/camoAR.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/DSCN1046.jpg
centennial
10-06-2005, 06:53
Originally posted by Britt
Send it to Walter Birdsong and get his Black T coating. Do a search if you don't know anything about it. I had a AR done several years ago and it stills looks like new (and yes I shoot it).
I have had a very negative experience with Black T.
I bought a Smith & Wesson custom shop revolver with that finish and it wore thru to bare metal after being holstered in a Comp-Tac holster 8 times.
Worst experience ive every had with a gun finish.
For a real tough, wear resistant, rust proof finish, go with Gun-Kote or Dura-Coat, but stay away from Black T.
Moly based finished are a lot tougher than teflon based coatings.
Originally posted by centennial
I have had a very negative experience with Black T.
I bought a Smith & Wesson custom shop revolver with that finish and it wore thru to bare metal after being holstered in a Comp-Tac holster 8 times.
Worst experience ive every had with a gun finish.
For a real tough, wear resistant, rust proof finish, go with Gun-Kote or Dura-Coat, but stay away from Black T.
Moly based finished are a lot tougher than teflon based coatings.
Are you sure it was Black T finish by Walter and not just someone telling you it was Black T? Sorry to say but Black I is way toughter than Gun-Kote and Dura Coat because it is actually bonded with the medal on a molecular level or some****.
I would be willing to bet that your finish was not actually Black T done by Walter himself for the simple fact that I have not heard of ANYONE was was unhappy with Walter's service and the only way you can get Black T is to send it to Walter.
centennial
10-10-2005, 10:41
Originally posted by Britt
Are you sure it was Black T finish by Walter and not just someone telling you it was Black T? Sorry to say but Black I is way toughter than Gun-Kote and Dura Coat because it is actually bonded with the medal on a molecular level or some****.
I would be willing to bet that your finish was not actually Black T done by Walter himself for the simple fact that I have not heard of ANYONE was was unhappy with Walter's service and the only way you can get Black T is to send it to Walter.
This revolver came out of Smith & Wesson's Custom Shop. They had several models that were offered with genuine Walter Birdsong "Black T" finish.
I talked to S&W about it and they stated that the finish was applied at Birdsong's facility.
The finish on this particular gun sucks.
By the way, I believe ALL bonding occurs at a molecular level.
Originally posted by centennial
This revolver came out of Smith & Wesson's Custom Shop. They had several models that were offered with genuine Walter Birdsong "Black T" finish.
I talked to S&W about it and they stated that the finish was applied at Birdsong's facility.
The finish on this particular gun sucks.
By the way, I believe ALL bonding occurs at a molecular level.
If you still have the gun I would give old Walter a call and see what he can do for you. Very nice guy.
As far as bonding goes, ??????????;f
My tan work in progress...
Finish is Norrels that I did myself...not bad for my first try with a rifle!...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/Twoj238/DSC04770.jpg
And best of all, it doesnt cost 100's of dollars to get a satisfactory product. I know those guys do good work, but come on. If the paint job costs 1/2 the price of the gun, something is wrong with that equation. But for people like me its just one more feather in our cap.
RMTactical
10-10-2005, 20:57
Originally posted by Woj1096
My tan work in progress...
Finish is Norrels that I did myself...not bad for my first try with a rifle!...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/Twoj238/DSC04770.jpg
You gonna do the carry handle?
Yeah, I hope to. We're in the process of moving so my stuff is all packed up....
Soon I'll get it done though!
JByer323
10-10-2005, 22:24
I'd vote Duracoat.
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