Powdercoating Guns?

[Edward429451]

Friend of a friend does powdercoating at work, all colors of the rainbow, textured or smooth. We talked and I asked if he could powdercoat my shotgun. He says yes, they do all sorts of metal objects so why not? His only concern is the barrels. He's never done a gun before and don't know if the heat from baking the powdercoat finish on will warp the barrels.

It gets sprayed on and then baked at about 400 deg F for 30 mins or so.

I wouldn't think it would be enough heat to hurt anything but would like to be sure before turning him loose on it. (I added some accessories to my SG and the metal finish spans three types now, workee good but looke ghetto!)

What can anyone tell me about powdercoating guns, yay or nay?

 

[romulus]

400 might be high enough to change the heat treat of the receiver and the barrels. Hopefully a knowledgeable member will chime in, but I'd verify before doing something like that...

 

[Jim Watson]

The spray 'n bake finishes are cured at 350 deg F, I doubt 400 is going to hurt anything. According to Brownells, spring temper of carbon steel is reached at 620 deg and 400 deg will only temper hardened drill rod from RC 54 to RC 52, which is harder than most gun parts anyhow.

But you will have to get ALL the plastic and pot metal parts off.

I would be concerned about the thickness of the coating affecting parts fit. Best ask about that.

Clark has done powdercoating of guns, so it can be managed.

 

[Smoke]

I've not been impressed with the durability of powdercoated automotive parts. I don't beleive I'd do a gun.

Ditto on the fit too.

Smoke

 

[Edward429451]

Fit even on the thin finishes? They have textured finishes, similar to on my Corbin press, and rockchucker too I believe. Those are obviously too tthick.

Other finishes they have are thin, like the black chrome, glossy black, etc., Which dont seem any thicker than nickle or chrome, and they work.

??

 

[zahc]

I doubt it would hurt anything. People powdercoat chrome-moly bikes that are only .035 thick all the time.

 

[Master Blaster]

Could it hurt soldered on parts like a rib or bead?????

 

[Edward429451]

Good question Masterblaster. I've got a short police trade in barrel for HD and the original 26"(?) vent rib barrel to have done with it so that is a very good consideration... The silphos I use in my work flows at around 1200 F, but its unknown if they use the same stuff or not??

I pulled the trigger group last night (870) to explore the detail strip of it for the job and one of those doo dads in there appear to be staked or peened in...

Anybody know if I was having an optical delusion, or if I am in fact going to have to re stake that thing in there? I dunno what its called, I've never detailed the trigger group because I don't need to for proper cleaning.

 

[JollyWhiteGiant]

Powder coating will wear off quickly around the ejection port, and after it starts chipping it will just keep on going. Spend the money on a teflon or similar finish, they aren't that difficult to apply.

 

[Edward429451]

Thats the rub. He'll do it for me for 25 bucks complete. Nice stuff too, I seen samples of motorcycles and bicycles he's done and they look great.

 

[romulus]

25 bucks is good for a finish, however there's an even cheaper alternative, and a valid one viv a vis powder coat if what JollyGreenGiant says is true...
I've recently done a 20 gauge Mossie 500 beater with the Camo Flat paint by Krylon. After 2 hours curing time, it went in the oven for an hour or so at aboout 250 degrees, 200 degrees for the pot-metal receiver.

It looks great, and so far even the mag tube shows no wear after about 100 pumps - well lubed of course.

I know it's a far cry from a quality finish, but heck, 3 bucks for a can (+ primer) and still half a can left for touch ups, how can you beat that if you're going to go the paint route...

 

[enfield]

And I've been touching up my kit-built FAL with black grill paint. It's between flat and semi-gloss, a little textured and it's beautiful. I did the barrel and dust cover so far, and I was able to get the dust cover in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 - it came out totally cured and gorgeous. Don't know yet how durable the finish will be, but it sure doesn't take long to apply it.

I degreased the parts with brake cleaner and hung the barrel/upper receiver assembly in a tree in my backyard to spray it!

 

[Edward429451]

I got it all disassembled last night and sent it out to be black chromed. My friend and I threw rocks at his motorcycle to try and chip it! We got it to dent but no chips.

(His idea)

It's kind of a deep dark shiney grey, I think I'll like it. If it chips it'll still look better than three different finishes and is only 25 bucks so I don't really see how I can go wrong. I have my doubts that it'll chip though. Maybe I'll post back about its durability after awhile to update you all.

Now to get my fugly camo job off the stock.

 

[Edward429451]

OH NO! just remembered...inside the receiver directly opposite the port is a staked in piece (ejector spring?) and one of the shell latch's is still in there.

Will these need replaced now that it's going through the oven?

(I got all that fugly camo off and restained with cherry stain, it's gonna be beautiful. I laquer today. )