DuraCoat vs. Gun-Kote

[axeldoomeyer]

The search feature is not working again.... ARGH!!! Any way, I have been looking at coating some of myblades with eather DuraCoat or GunKote. The only difference is the manufacturer... I think.... Has anyone tried these? How tough is the finish? Is it worth the expense? Any Pros and Cons?

Thanks

Jim

 

[PlaceKnives]

I've been using Brownells Alumahyde 2 on my guns and knives. It's cheaper, it comes in an aerosol can so you don't need an air brush or anything. It's a tough epoxy paint and it can be baked for faster curing. It also goes on thicker than GunKote which can be a good thing. I've refinished folders, fixed blades, gun parts and entire guns with Alumahyde. Works for me. Go to www.brownells.com and search for Alumahyde.

 

[Mike Hull]

Duracoat is a lot tougher, but it takes longer before you can use it.
http://www.lauerweaponry.com/index.cfm

There is also ceraKote.
http://www.nicindustries.com/

Or Moly Resin.
http://www.molyresin.com/default.asp

Here's another.
http://www.nicindustries.com/

All are tougher than Gun Kote. The trade off is that they require more involved application and curing procedures, like baking.

 

[axeldoomeyer]

I am not so much concerned with baking. I am thinking about redoing my pistol in a GunKote type finish, and I have a couple of blades I would like to coat as well. It looks as though I have alot of reading ahead. Thanks for the great info guys..

Jim

 

[Gringogunsmith]

I am not so much concerned with baking. I am thinking about redoing my pistol in a GunKote type finish, and I have a couple of blades I would like to coat as well. It looks as though I have alot of reading ahead. Thanks for the great info guys..

Jim

What kind of gun.. and steel ?
I've done this since 71 and have yet to use " miracle coatings"
What type of service are you after and if it's " tactical" nonsense I'll tell you how to do it yourself.
A couple of guys correctly mentioned Brownells products as a good source.
dward@netrox.net
I'll steer you right..

 

[Mike Hull]

Most custom Gunsmiths I know turning out rifles for long range tactical class competition are using duracoat or one of the other finishes listed above for camo finishes just because of the toughness.
Those rifles get some hard use and those finishhes will take it.

You might give George at G.A. Precision a call. He'll give you some good info and he turns out some very accurate rifles.

http://gaprecision.net/content/aboutus.php

Terry Cross, another top Gunsmith said he uses the cheapest external mix touch up spray guns for applying Duracoat as it's an epoxy and no matter how much acetone or MEK he runs through them to clean up after spraying, the stuff builds up inside and he soon has to just discard them.

He keeps about 6 new ones on hand at all times as he constantly has to replace those being used.
So he buys the cheapies from Harbor Freight. Don't waste money on a Passhle(sp?) or other high dollar touch up guns for this stuff as it'll just be money wasted.

Good luck to you, however you go.:thumbup:

 

[axeldoomeyer]

Ooooooouch my brain hurts.... I need a memory dump . That is a lot of good info. If I am going to put my name on my products I want to be proud of it. Otherwise I will scrap the idea and try something else. GringoGunSmith also sent me info about Parkarizing... I have seen bluing done and I have help a friend of mine who is a Gun Smith. Unfortunately I have since moved and that was several years ago. He is one of the "Old Timers" of the business. I spent many hours of my youth in his shop playing with all kinds of cool toys. Man, I wish I spent more time there.... Anyway thanks to all for the really good info.

Now where did I put my brain....