First Duracoating attempt

[Ritten]

I learned a few lessons but it's certainly easier than I thought and I'm loving this coating! I'm using a cheap Paasche VLST airbrush to apply the stuff and it goes on pretty easy. I just wanted to use Duracoat for a base and then I'll come back and put a Krylon camo job. I can take the Krylon off without hurting the Duracoat underneath in the event that I want to change the pattern/colors. After knocking the gun over a couple of times while trying to spray it I learned that from now on I'll be hanging all of the components up. You can see the few spots where I marred the finish before it was completely dry. I went with the SL (self lubricating) and after spraying the bolt (not the lugs) and letting it dry for a few days, I have to say I'm pretty impressed with how thin it goes on and the smoothness that it lends to the action.

I may try some stencils on a few of my gas guns to see how they come out, but for now I'm just using this as a protective coating. I do have a S&W 629 that I'm looking forward to coating as well. That will be a pretty good test to see how the finish holds up.

 

[xmeister]

So what is cheap about a Paasche airbrush? I thought they are the best?

Nice job by the way.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Did you blast the gun?

 

[Ritten]

So what is cheap about a Paasche airbrush? I thought they are the best?

Nice job by the way.

Thanks. Cheap cost-wise. I got this one free, but it looks like you can pick one up on Amazon.com for $10 shipped.

 

[Ritten]

Did you blast the gun?

No, I don't have a blast cabinet set up yet. That's coming soon though. For now I just roughed up the steel parts with some 220 grit sandpaper.

 

[rockmup]

Looks good. Next time have some MEK handy and you can wipe out the blems with a lint free rag if you spray it while still wet

 

[Ritten]

Looks good. Next time have some MEK handy and you can wipe out the blems with a lint free rag if you spray it while still wet

Thanks. I did have some laquer thinner on the side ready to go, but I knew I'd be spraying over this one so I just left it. The above rifle was kind of my "practice and see what the big deal is" type of work. My next one will be done with much more care and time allowed for a blemish free coating. I'm shopping around for a blast cabinet that will handle alum. oxide that won't break the bank. Sandpaper is ok, but I think I'd get a more even preparation with blasting.

 

[rockmup]

I have the large HF blast cab that I added their dust collection system to. I run it on average of 6 hrs every week and have for 4 yrs at least. I run 70G aluminum oxide and am still on the orig. nozzle and hose. The only thing I did was to add some lights. Oh, and commercial gloves

 

[bearfutedninja]

once you get good i got a lone wolf glock slide that needs some black

 

[Ritten]

I have the large HF blast cab that I added their dust collection system to. I run it on average of 6 hrs every week and have for 4 yrs at least. I run 70G aluminum oxide and am still on the orig. nozzle and hose. The only thing I did was to add some lights. Oh, and commercial gloves

That's good to know! On the specs for the HF unit it recommends not using Alum. Oxide, but if it lasts that long then I may just pick one up soon. Thanks!

 

[xmeister]

You got a good deal on a free one. I think they are more like $80, unless I'm looking at the wrong model.

 

[ThirdJeep97TJ]

Not bad, let us know how it holds up.