Best coating to make stainless steel black

[essayons21]

I have custom build rifle with a stainless barrel, and another on the way. My smith swears by stainless barrels for accuracy, and with the results so far I can't argue with him.

However, I hate bright shiny barrels on my rifles and wanted to know the best, most durable finish or coating for a stainless steel barrel.

I was also looking at picking up a Colt Defender, but again, I hate stainless on a carry pistol, so if the barrel coating is durable and looks decent, I would be doing the same to this pistol.

 

[Bubbles]

If you're sold on having them matte black then I'd have them duracoated.

If you just want them 'not shiny' as opposed to black, bead-blast and a light coat of oil will turn them gray.

 

[Sunray]

This is an option. SS Blackener is near the bottom. http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm

 

[brettrow]

Check out my thread on the rifle board, I duracoated my SS winchester matte black (I think the thread is called "my custom .270". ) I have duracoated 3 rifles, and I think next time I will go the spray paint route. I sanded it but did not blast it, and in my opinion unless you can sand blast it and really get good "tooth", the duracoat does not act as tough as it could because it does not grip the metal good enough. I can still scratch it with a fingernail 8 months later, but it looks cool. I was meticulous in cleaning, prepping and duracoating my rifles, but like I said, I do not have a sand/bead blaster so the paint just does not grip as well as it could. Next time, black spray paint for me, and its easier to touch up too. Of course, you could pay someone else to duracoat it, if you trust them.

 

[Magoo]

Will the barrel be used for rapid fire--will it be getting hot? Many coatings aren't going to hold up well in those circumstances.
Tennifer/melonite type coatings will work on SS.

 

[olyeller]

cerakote is the best option.

 

[Chuck Warner]

I prefer Black oxide



Chuck W