Spray-on, Bake-on finishes

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
20,978
What do you guys recommend? Which is the toughest overall?
 
I use Brownells Alumahyde 2. It's an aerosol epoxy paint that resistant to almost all solvents. The mail reason I use it is that it comes in an aerosol can. I'm not set up with a compressor or airbrush so it saves me money in that respect and the cans of Alumahyde are around $7.50 which is less expensive than Gun Kote or Dura Cote. It goes on a little thicker than Gun Kote too. I get great results by pre-warming the part in the oven, giving it a light first coat, then baking again for 20 minutes, then applying a second coat and then a final bake for an hour or so. It's tough stuff. Available at www.brownells.com and they also sell a variety of bake on paints including Gun Kote and some teflon finishes as well.
 
FWIW I've used the gun-kote a bit but I'm not terribly impressed with it. It holds up o.k. but I haven't been able to get it to hold up to hard use:( . I would be intersted to know if there is a better product myself.

Rick
 
I have heard a lot about duracoat. I haven't personally used it or Gun Kote so I can't compare. Also, GringoGunsmith brought up using a parerizing on a knife. I haven't tried it yet. But it looks really good. Maybe if Gringo sees this he will chime in. Hope this helps.
 
Still looking for more opinions, etc...


what about powder-coating?
 
Daniel Koster said:
what about powder-coating?

Maybe it's just me, but powder-coated items seem to scratch fairly easily and forget about any touch-up.

What look are you going for? Don (Peter Nap) used the spray on bedliner for what he called a super tough but ugly finish.

- Jim
 
I want to put a protective finish on a very hard-use knife (chopper). My experience has been that the others tend to come off rather easily. I'm not opposed to just having an etched finish or handrubbed finish (400 grit) that can be restored. But I'd like to pursue alternatives first.

Never thought about the bedliner stuff...looks interesting. I wonder if anyone makes a touch-up can sized version of it (so I don't have to buy the whole $80 bucket)...
 
Boy do you have a memory Jim. I do use the Bed liner for finishing some handles but it wouldn't work on blades.

To be honest, I've used all Brownells Bake on finishes and powder coat and a few witches brews I made and the most durable finish I've found so far is good old Ferric Chloride to give it color and Ospho to make it weather resistant.
Here's the tough but ugly finish on the handles. The hatchet handle is Acetil and according to all sources, can't be painted. This one has been holding up under very tough use for a couple of years.

handles.jpg
 
Back
Top