Duracoat or other finishes?

[rythomas0704]

Hi there. I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice for me before I make a decision on how I would like to ultimately finish my Express.

The current finish on my Express Magnum is the stock "matte black" or whatever. I originally assumed it was parkerized but after talking to a fellow forum member he informed me that my model is not parkerized. That its a lower grade finish that is prone to rusting and damage unless you take really good care of the finish. I am not opposed to maintenance as I maintain all of my firearms like they were my kids. However my plan for this gun is a complete combat config that I will be using for HD and bear protection when I take my yearly trips up north with my two buddies for our "Man Week" (survival camping) So this thing will see quite a bit of abuse when I think about it.

I was thinking about attempting to Duracoat it myself as I have plenty of experience using spray on finishes (auto body etc.) but have never used Duracoat and am rather unfamiliar with it. I have researched it, slightly, and was wondering about Duracoat's "Shake and Bake" finish. I plan on spraying the receiver and mag tube. The barrel I am getting is parkerized and I am not worried about that.

If anyone has experience with Duracoat, Cerakote, or other similar finishes please lend some advice, tips, insight, etc.. Was also wondering what the Parkerizing process was like. Thanks.

[Tactical Browncoat]

No experience but take a look at Youtube. I'm interested in updating my Tactical's finish and there are quite a few videos on Duracoat and Cerakote. You'll find reviews, tests of the finishes as well as videos on the application process.

From what I've gathered, Duracoat seems a bit easier to apply if only because you can buy a kit that contains everything you need to get the job done. Cerakote is pricier, requires a small investment in an airbrush and compressor but results in a tougher coating.

[rythomas0704]

Thanks for the info man.

I already own a spray gun and compressor and all that as I have done and still do auto body work once in awhile. I'm looking for the toughest and best looking matte finish I can achieve and if Cerakote is where it is at then that is what I am going for.

[yoky]

Hello to all members of this forum
I am new member of this forum but not to the guns I have reeduced number of my guns and I have 3 guns Kimber Custom II, Sig Sauer p226 TACOPS 9mm and Remi 870 which I like. There is time I am thinking about suitable refinishing. In my personal apprentices there are several good finishes. I did my Kimber with GunCote and after two years of carrying it every day in kydex holster there is no visible wear. It is really tough and good looking hardy and durable paint. Next I have evaluated Cerakote. It is good paint too. I have made decision to use Cerakote. However I did it at home and to prepare gun for this paint is a key no matter what type of finish you would use.

[Synchronizor]

Caswell has all kinds of nifty kits avaliable for coating, plating, or finishing metal if you're the type who doesn't mind an involved project. I've heard good things about the application process and quality of their nickel plating kits.

Flip through their site, you might get some ideas.

I'm not one for mirror-bright finishes, but I would like to build a top-end 870 bolt & slide assembly set utilizing their polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated electroless nickel plating at some point. I still have homework to do on that project though, and it's not exactly a financial priority at the moment.

[MStarmer]

If you have experience spraying then Duracoat is a snap. I've used it quite a bit on AR builds and even a 1911. Like anything prep is the most important but the finish on the express (as long as degreased properly) would probably make a great base. Duracoat has many advantages, it's easy, relatively tough, affordable and the amount of colors for customization really makes it shine. You can also get it with the added lubricant built in as well. Cerakote is great but not really for the do it yourselfer, significantly more expense is involved and cooking.

Duracoat can also be bought in small kits in the popular colors with all that's needed for one gun, I think they are about $30 or so. The last two guns I did were black,white, and pink and one in red (just the furniture). The fluorescent pink was extremely hard as it relies on the white base for some of it's brightness and as I added layers it kind of changed colors. Not perfect but the daughter likes it. The red though turned out fantastic.

Edited to add; One of my friends used the spray and bake duracoat and was very displeased with the results. Didn't spray very good, thus he got poor results. With the normal catalyzed spray you can thin within reason and even add a retarding agent to keep it from drying too fast if needed. For your application I would think the normal Duracoat (or lubed one) would work just fine.

Daughter's;


Wife's;