[firestar]

Or has had a finish job done to one?

I have an opertunity to get a Mak-90 for $150.00 but he said the finish had "some problems". The guy I am buying from doesn't seem to know anything about guns because he is selling the Mak-90 for $150.00 and a Jennings Nine for $200!:scrutiny:

I think $150 plus any money I spen for a finish job will still be a good deal.

How much does it cost to have it done vs. doing it yourself (time, skill, etc.) I am decently handy but I am no gunsmith, if it were a simple job that didn't take a lot of extra tools that I don't have, I would prefer to just do it myself. BTW, I am thinking about some kind of parkerized finish.

[762x51]

I had my SAR-1 completely redone by Chris at AK-USA. He did a fantastic job! Highly recommend the black powdercoat he does, seems quite durable and looks fantastic. If I remember correctly, he charges $75 for the job. Great guy to deal with too, couldnt be happier. I tried the Brownells Alumahyde II and was not happy with the results.

http://www.ak-103.net

http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/762x51/finish2.jpg

[Gewehr98]

But that black powdercoat finish on the above AK looks pretty nice!

[AK103K]

I had good luck with the Aluma Hyde II. I took my time and let it fully cure and its held up well. Its easy to do yourself, but prep is everything if you want a good job. I have an Global Trades SSR-85C that has a great parkerize job on it. About the prettiest AK I've seen, finish wise. I beleive they will do your gun for around $75, but I'd check their site as I'm going from memory here and CRS has been kickin in lately. :)

[762x51]

AK103K is correct. The price I was quoted from Global for a complete park job was $75. AK-USA will do this also. I just really liked the look and feel of the powdercoating. Matches the synthetic furniture very well. The Aluma-hyde for me just did not hold up very well. The biggest problem I had was that I coated the entire gun including the barrel. After firing off about a half a mag of ammo, the barrel would heat the Aluma-hyde up to the point where it got really soft. This made it rub off quite easily and created quite a nasty smell. Maybe I applied it wrong....maybe I didn't wait for it to cure long enough (I waited about 2 1/2 weeks)...I don't know. All I know is that I wish I had just paid $75 to have it refinished from the beginning and saved myself the time and aggrivation. :)

Good Luck.

[Roadrunner]

My SAR-2 (AK-74) was done by Arizona Response Systems. (http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/)

[Coltdriver]

I have a MAK-90 that got soaked with melted dissicant in a hot case in a car.

It rusted the heck out of it in a couple of hours.

Sent it off to www.shootiniron.com in Arizona.

Mac returned the gun in less than two weeks and it is excellent. He also polished up the internals as a part of the deal and the trigger on my AK is smooth as butter.

The finish is a combo finish you can read about at his web sight. Plus you can have colors if you want to get radical.

I have had it for a couple of years now and it is tough as nails and still looks great.

[commygun]

I did my SAR 1 (and my SKS) with the Brownells matte black
bake on teflon spray. Looks great, very tough, and cost all
of $25. Easy to redo or touch up too. Just the ticket for
inexpensive guns you plan to shoot alot.