[publiuss]

Refinishing a Savage 24 that went through Katrina and was given to me after the owner heard the gunsmith's repair bill. I have sanded all pits out and polished metal. Now I need to know what coating to use. KG, Durabake, or Duracoat. I have no experience with do- it- yourself metal finishing so could you tell me which is best and why? I want to use black if that matters

[Durby]

I have used the Brownells teflon/moly finish. It is fairly easy, but it needs to be applied to sandblasted material, otherwise it will come off too easy. its a bake on finish, and cleanliness is CRITICAL. Acetone everything and handle parts with latex gloves. I did my 870 shotgun with it, and was real careful, it came out great and stood up to my abuse. I was hasty with one of my pistols and it is chipping off. May be cleanliness, or poor prep, but when done right it is a great product.

[friedcheese]

+1 and Durby.

Any bake on - requires 'clean room' clean. No painting when it's dusty / windy, etc. Make sure you pre-heat the metal first to about 100-110 degrees.

Did I say don't paint unless it's very clean - otherwise you'll have to paint again.

I did a shotgun heat shield - painted it twice before I understood clean - and no dust -pollen in the air - I had a speck that got on it, and it made it chip later.

Colorado here is alomst impossible to keep dust off - so if you can do it in the garage - great! But make sure no aninamls, kids, humans are near without a good respirator on. The stuff causes brain damage.

[Durby]

Yeah pre heating is a great idea. It was too cold out here when I did my pistol, but the shotgun I pre heated the metal and then sprayed it, made all the difference. Also, spray it on real thin. thick coats turn out ugly with the stuff I used.