Removing Duracoat?

[Linkinlog]

I duracoated my 1911 and am unhappy with the results. So, I have decided to remove the duracoat, polish the parts, then send them off to be blued. I do not have a media blaster so that is not an option. Sandpaper is clogged quickly by the duracoat and takes forever. I was thinking about using a fine wire wheel to knock the coating off. Then I could use sandpaper to smooth it out and polish it. Any suggestions?

 

[Zak Smith]

Have you tried acetone?

 

[supraneurotoxin]

I just visited their website, and this is what I found:

How easy is DuraCoat removed?
Not easy at all. The elastic nature of DuraCoat resists blasting. A qualified individual, with the proper blast media, can safely remove DuraCoat without damaging the surface of the firearm. Be careful. In most cases, we recommend lightly blasting the surface, being cautious not to remove any DuraCoat. Just "beat up" the DuraCoat giving it "tooth" so your new application of DuraCoat has something to adhere to.

what constitutes a "qualified individual?" I think if I were you I'd try to track one down and let said individual help you out. just my 0.02.

 

[Linkinlog]

Acetone, mineral spirits, etc have little/no effect on the duracoat.

I have successfully sanded it off the bt safety, thumb safety and barrel bushing. However, my hands are pretty chewed up and I'm looking for an easier way.

I don't see how the wire wheel would do any damage. It should just remove the duracoat and not any metal from the frame / parts.

Plus, the part about blasting is just BS to make the product look better. It comes off easily with aluminum oxide media. I just hate buying tools that I will only use once, otherwise I would just buy a blasting cabinet.

 

[CCR]

Duracoat is a two part Epoxy style paint. To remove it use a good quality paint stripper. You can get it at Lowes or Home Depot just make sure it says it removes epoxy paint spray or brush it on and in a few minutes it will bubble up and come right off

 

[Linkinlog]

Thanks for the reply. Maybe I didn't let it sit on there long enough?

I'll try letting it sit in some quality paint stripper and see what happens.

 

[sansone]

+1 for the paint stripper. usually jelly-like consistency. IT WILL MELT PLASTIC

 

[Zak Smith]

I have used acetone to remove Duracoat a couple/few hours after application. Never tried it after days.

 

[Mac's]

We've removed a lot of duracoat here in our shop without any trouble at all. An abrasive blaster takes it off quickly and easily. Be carefull using a wire wheel since it can round corners or edges and blur markings. Also be carefull using a paint stripper if any part of your firearm is Aluminum. Some paint strippers can damage it.
Keep yer powder dry, Mac.
Tuff-Gun Finishes. The Name Says It All.
Mac's Shootin' Irons
http://www.shootiniron.com

 

[boredelmo]

Aircraft remover is a tough paint stripper, Walmart, Autozone, home depot will carry it. It's a foam that almost instant takes off paint.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

take it to a radiator shop and get them to hot-tank it for you maybe a week in a basket. probably do it.

 

[Geno]

About a year ago I read at the Duracoat websiote that the only effective way tio remove it was sandblast gently. There are two forms of Duracoat: have-to-bake and no-need-to-bake.

 

[olyeller]

theres only one kind of duracoat; if you decide to bake, its your choice.

 

[Linkinlog]

Thanks for all the responses. I purchased some epoxy removing paint stripper from Lowes. It was about $8 and is jelly-like. However, I decided to send the gun to the smith for a new hammer. Once it gets back, I am having the flats polished. matte rounds and blued. I'm hoping for a nice fire-blue-like finish. He's going to strip the duracoat off for me as well. I'll post some pics when it is done in about 3-4 weeks.

 

[K.L.O.sako]

have you tried MEK it's a super hot thinner we used to clean painting tools were i once worked. methylethylketone is the actuall name M.E.K. for short. it takes the work right out of cleaning chores. but BE CAREFUL, wickedly flamable, and the fumes are something else. but handled properly, paint melts away(literally) and the jobs done

 

[mshootnit]

I know this is very old but in case anyone else is trying to remove duracoat, I believe this was the stuff which WalMart Winchester brand Break Free PowderBlast took right off my firearm. Talk about killing 2 birds with one stone!