I have a few pieces I'd like to coat, and I'm wondering if it's worth the effort of trying to DIY it or if I should just farm it out to one of the (not-so-local) places around here.

I'm very sure I don't know enough yet, but it seems reasonably simple -- clean it, spray it, bake it. Baking may be the problem, depending on whether all my parts would reasonably fit in a second-hand toaster oven, I figure.

Has anyone here delved into this? Is it a big hassle to set up a run? Lots of waste and mess? Terrible initial setup costs? Maybe I should simply go back to my local powder coater instead?

I'm always curious....

No experience with Cerakote, but I've done a few small parts in Alumahyde.

Basically an epoxy paint in a spray paint rattle can that you then bake to cure (or wait days/weeks to air cure)

Not quite as durable as Cerakote, but easier to DIY with no special equipment needed, and fairly cheap at only ~$20 for a rattle can.

https://www.brownells.com/tool...de-ii/?sku=430107432

Oh, that looks easy. Thank you!

I’m not into Cerakote. Can’t mime the words in good sync to the music.

I don't like Ceracote at all. I like the look and feel of MolyResin much better.
Used to have a fella here on the board that did it from Texas if I remember name on the board was like CoyoteHunter or something but not seen him on here in a while unfortunately because he did a great job on a number of my guns.

I've done quite a few of my rifles. You can't be casual about it as the results will show. Prep is the key and you must sand blast. Then apply and bake. I would practice on some non important items to start.

I started out trying GunKote and Duracoat but Cerakote is the best.

Plenty of tutorials online.

TTi in Ashland VA does Cerakote. South of the town proper, on Highway 1.

I have used the Brownells Aluma-hyde with good results.

It was on wifes uncles pistol. Ever intend to shoot it. Just wanted to make it look better and sorta protect it.
The old piece had been hard chromed and was flaking badly.
Gave a gun store/range acquaintance a chance at blasting and applying finishes. He gave up on that line of business but did get most of the flaking hard chrome off so the prep was good enough for my needs and the aluma-hyde took well.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
I don't like Ceracote at all. I like the look and feel of MolyResin much better.
Used to have a fella here on the board that did it from Texas if I remember name on the board was like CoyoteHunter or something but not seen him on here in a while unfortunately because he did a great job on a number of my guns.

Yes, I have his name bookmarked as Coyotekiller but maybe it is Coyotehunter. He did a revolver of mine years ago and fantastic job. It was the molyresin. I think I have his phone # if you want to email me I can pass it to you.

quote:

Originally posted by urbanwarrior238:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
I don't like Ceracote at all. I like the look and feel of MolyResin much better.
Used to have a fella here on the board that did it from Texas if I remember name on the board was like CoyoteHunter or something but not seen him on here in a while unfortunately because he did a great job on a number of my guns.

Yes, I have his name bookmarked as Coyotekiller but maybe it is Coyotehunter. He did a revolver of mine years ago and fantastic job. It was the molyresin. I think I have his phone # if you want to email me I can pass it to you.

I have the past emails with him from when he did my guns. I emailed him awhile back about a project and never heard back.

Thanks for the info so far, everyone.

This starts with some pieces I've machined for my truck -- all are basically flat, cut from raw 1/4" aluminum plate. I'd like for them to be pretty weather-resistant, but if the coating fades or comes off after a year or two, I won't be uptight about sand blasting them and coating them again.

For those pieces, I'm more than willing to give Aluma-Hyde a try.

After that, I'd like to coat an upper/lower/handguard set. Could I reasonably apply the Aluma-Hyde over these anodized surfaces? Or would I need to do some sandblasting on those first? I'm perfectly happy to "give 'er a shot and see what happens" with the handguard, but I'd hate to screw up an upper or a lower.

And having now typed all that, I just realized what a monumental task masking the rail on that upper will be!

I've used Aluma-Hyde on anodized aluminum surfaces very successfully. Anodized sufaces are inherently porous, so take coatings quite well. Proper surface prep is still critical as usual. Pre-scruffing is beneficial but not strictly mandatory.

Thank you, kkina!

You guys are giving my DIY spirit a serious boost here... looks like I'm ordering some Aluma-Hyde this evening, and cutting my other flat parts tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I’m not into Cerakote. Can’t mime the words in good sync to the music.

The more you drink, the better you will.

I sprayed field drab Alumahyde and also Aervoe on several plastic pieces to color-match. Holding up great and anybody who's painted plastic knows that's impressive.

I need to do a Sig516 handguard in Magpul FDE color. I was thinking cerakote too but costs more to get done than the hg cost.

One tip; find a spot to hang the items you paint and don't touch them for two weeks. Bonus if you can pre-heat the pieces to 150F or so for the first tack coat; definitely helps it set properly so follow-up light coats don't run.

edit; pic of said rifle....an "FDE ARX100" which is more Field Drab / Coyote Brown than Magpul FDE. The sights were black (from another rifle) and the handguard cover was black as well).

I found a larger oven this afternoon... thank you PGT for the pre-heating recommendation. Can do!

I'm thinking now on a wire fixture to hang all the flat pieces on for spraying, hoping to move that whole assembly into the oven at once. I'll have to rig up something similar but different for the upper/lower/HG.

Pre-heating also causes oil to weep or flash. Always a good step even after degreasing.

Is CoyoteKiller still available? He did a great job on a nasty looking 226 for me!

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Is CoyoteKiller still available? He did a great job on a nasty looking 226 for me!

HD Coatings & Firearms is/was his company. Does not look like he has been active here in quite some time outside of the Classifieds.
The classifieds don't show so can't tell when he actually last posted.
The FB page has not had any posts since July of 2024.
I want to say it was about 2 years ago I reached out to him about a project and got no response.

2022 was when I lasted talked with him. I had posted a WTB for a Rainbow Kershaw Leek. He had one and was gracious enough to sell it to me for a very reasoonable price and not the $350+ people were asking at the time.

I found the listing for his FFL. Expired 5-1-23.
So... No longer in business then!