Do it Myself Gun finishes?

**vrocco** · February 12th, 2009, 03:22 PM

I just had three milled Yugo AKs (2 folder, 1 fixed) rewelded professionally. The guy who did them did a beautiful job, however, I did not pay to have them finished as well.

I need advice on a do it yourself gun finish that is easy to apply and will be durable. I am not making these into trophies, they will be shooters.

Some options I am considering are:

GunKote: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=853121

Duracoat: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=711180

DuraBake: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=598223

Parkerizing: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=731489

I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has used any of these products. Also, if there are additional supplies nescessary that aren't included in those links, let me know so I can calculate total cost. For instance, I know the GunKote needs an airbrush, and Parkerizing needs some type of tank (not sure what material it needs to be).

Thanks for the help.

**robdog** · February 12th, 2009, 03:44 PM

Hola'. I have been trolling for a year+ now. This is one of the only sites I can access at work, very strict FW rules. I have been doing WECSOG work for over 10 years in the kitchen and garage. I picked up a sandblaster from HF a couple years ago and it works great getting a spray and bake finish to stick to weapons. Takes alot of the scratches and nicks out of the AK receivers while you are building them. Makes the duracoat and such type finishes stick very well. I suggest the Brownells spray can types if you dont have the HW for spraying as they work very well too, have done several FAL type rifles with them. Alumahide also works great. The semi gloss type look very nice on the milled receiver AK's. I have a M72 parts kit I havent done yet, where did you get the repair sections from?

RD

**vrocco** · February 12th, 2009, 07:27 PM

I had the repairs done professionally. I'm no welder unfortunately. Check out http://www.mygunsnorthwest.com

**Bama Man** · February 12th, 2009, 11:06 PM

Is there anywhere near you that does black oxide finishes?
There was a place in Dayton ,Ohio that did that finish and would do a rifle for $20.00 a pop, you finish the metal work to the polish you wanted, or didn't want. The only thing I ever had to do was remove all the bluing or parkerizing first, which is no problem with muratic acid, done outdoors with a water hose nearby. Use a cheap camel hair brush, brush on, rinse off.
Black oxide is nearly the same as bluing, only it is absolutely black.
I was told once that Ruger went to black oxide on some of it's firearms.
If there are any precision machine shops close around that do parts for aircraft, etc., most of those parts will be black oxide finished, as it doesn't alter the dimensions of the part in any way.
Look in the phone book for plating, metal finishing, etc., maybe you'll get lucky.

**CHEMICAL** · October 27th, 2012, 04:16 PM

Well, I tried my hand at Durabake. My friend bought that old beat up Gen 2 G19 from me last year and decided that he wanted it back to black. Since he did my brakes and rotors for me I told him I would get the shake and bake kit and coat the gun for him in exchange. Here are the results:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

**tonyfac** · October 27th, 2012, 05:11 PM

if you have access to an air compressor, i would recommend the gunkote,
used it on a few rifles and they came out very nice.

**CHEMICAL** · October 29th, 2012, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by tonyfac

if you have access to an air compressor, i would recommend the gunkote,
used it on a few rifles and they came out very nice.

I do. I will check it out next time. Thanks.

**gold eagle** · October 29th, 2012, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by CHEMICAL

Well, I tried my hand at Durabake. My friend bought that old beat up Gen 2 G19 from me last year and decided that he wanted it back to black. Since he did my brakes and rotors for me I told him I would get the shake and bake kit and coat the gun for him in exchange. Here are the results:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

How did you bake? Regular kitchen oven? Looks good!!!

**CHEMICAL** · November 3rd, 2012, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by gold eagle

How did you bake? Regular kitchen oven? Looks good!!!

Spare toaster oven. 3 coats, first 2 at 350°, last one at 180° for 2:45 then 350° for 15 minutes.

**CHEMICAL** · November 3rd, 2012, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Gaven32

Hey, you complete the steel perform to the enhance you desired, or didn't want. The only factor I ever had to do was eliminate all the bluing or patronizing first, which is no issue with traumatic acidity, done outside with a water hose close by. Use a inexpensive camel locks sweep, sweep on, wash off. The best way to sweep the gun.

Um......huh? Share damn it!