Polymer coatings over stainless?

[WarMachine]

Well, the worn look of my Loaded (bought used) has finally gotten to me, and I am looking for something new; preferally in black. It's a dedicated range gun, so I am not conscerned about finish wear as it will only be handled during live and dry fire.

What I am wondering is if the poylmer coatings (Armory Kote, Cobra Coat, etc.) can be applied over a stainless steel finish. Also, what do you guys recommend for a black finish? I hear good things about Black T, but I want to look at some other choices as well. I hear good things about Tripp, but very little about his polymer coatings...

Any help will be much appreciated.

 

[Soybomb]

I saw a 10mm s&w done in black over stainless that someone was trying to sell and couldn't give away. If you ever think you might sell it, maybe just have it media blasted to smooth out the finish? Just an idea.

 

[homefront]

Try the Robar company.

 

[RomanKnight]

My 'smith used KG Gunkote on stainless, and, after 2+ years, shows some wear, but I would consider that normal. Gunkote is on the industrial grade-strength on coatings, so he told me. I've also heard good reports about Lauer. You can do it yourself at home, but you need an oven -send the misis out shopping, or something...

 

[Shipwreck]

Yes, any polymer coating will go over a stainless - Roguard is nice, but is shinier. Cobra Coat and Black T are the two I am debating going with.

 

[mainmech48]

IIRC, most of the really tough polymer finishes involve a base coat (usually some sort of phosphate a'la Parkerizing). I believe that the main purpose is to provide for a chemical bonding on a molecular level during the curing process, resulting in vastly better adhesion compared to the "mechanical" bond of paint or traditional electroplating.

I've seen Rogard and MP3 applied to SS, and I'm sure that there are other proprietary polymers that'd also work.

There are DIY products too, but most of the resulting finish jobs that I've seen haven't shown anywhere near the same level of durability or tenacious adhesion. My guess is that preparation and process control are where the main faults lie, as both are critical to success and relatively intolerant of even small errors.

IIWY, I'd refrain from going cheap here whether your main concern is function or cosmetics. IMO, this is one of those areas where professional work adds functional and aesthetic value far above the cost savings of DIY.

 

[smince]

I had a Colt Defender blackened by APW/Cogan custom a few years ago. It has held up very well.

http://www.apwcogan.com/

 

[WarMachine]

Yea, I am certainly not planning to do this myself.

Anyone have some pics of guns done in various finishes or any recommendations? I already know Black T is good, but I have also been looking at Roguard, Cobra Coat, TactiKote, and a few others. Decisions, decisions...

 

[smince]

Yea, I am certainly not planning to do this myself.

I guess I could have added in my post that I did a full size Springfield 1911 with Brownell's spray-on Gun Kote. It has held up for nearly 8 years. The frame is now on my Mechtech CCU.

Here is my Defender: