Changing the colour of a Stainless Steel barrel/action etc

[The Raven]

Whilst looking at some gun porn on the web today I saw some very nice rifles with Stainless Steel (SS) barrels and actions. It occurred to me that a few of them may look better (at least in my gun safe) with a 'blued' action/barrel.

Now I know you can't blue SS but what alternatives are there if one wants a blue/black finish and the manufacturer doesn't offer it? In particular, what can someone do at home?

Is there a SS compatible 'blue' finish available on the aftermarket?
Can a barrel/action be safely powder coated, assuming you keep the powder out of the important bits?
Is there a paint system that adheres well and resists scratches/flaking?
Even if we forget specific colours etc, what coatings could you apply to commonly used gun metals?

[adamjp]

Is there a SS compatible 'blue' finish available on the aftermarket?

Yes, but not available here in Australia.

Can a barrel/action be safely powder coated, assuming you keep the powder out of the important bits?

Probably.

Is there a paint system that adheres well and resists scratches/flaking?

Yes. Cerakote.

Even if we forget specific colours etc, what coatings could you apply to commonly used gun metals?

Cerakote by NIC Industries.

Basic Black, various steel colours, greys, browns, and even bubblegum pink.

[trevort]

I have duracoated rifle and it does wear eventually. Have read cerakote is many times more abrasion resistant

[The Raven]

I have duracoated rifle and it does wear eventually. Have read cerakote is many times more abrasion resistant

Do you know of any Melbourne sources for it? Sounds like what I'm looking for....should I purchase a particular rifle in the future.

[adamjp]

Duracoat is no longer available in Australia as shipping from the USA became impossible.

[andrewk]

Automotive 2pack paint is as good as anything. generally being polyurethane acrylic. although a matte polyurethane enamal (also 2pack) may be more wear resistant and less likely to gal rubbing against its self on other parts. Key with applying paint is mechanical adhesion to the substrate and being stainless it will offer little in the way of chemical adhesion. i'd suggest prior to painting (compatible primer first) you clean it thoughly of grease and oil then have it grit blasted for a good surface profile for the paint to adhere to.

[Mulga]

I used polyurethane acrylic to paint my Ruger Hawkeye 30-06 Springfield. I know I will be able to get the paint of the metalwork and scope at least if I ever want too.

[trevort]

article on cerakote in last months SSAA mag. Ted mitchell wrote it, if you cant find it ask him on AHN. Not a cheap process

[The Raven]

article on cerakote in last months SSAA mag. Ted mitchell wrote it, if you cant find it ask him on AHN. Not a cheap process

Yep, just stumbled across that whilst googling. It reminded me to finish reading that SSAA magazine...

Oh, I should make it clear I'm still dreaming about buying a particular rifle and then 'upgrading' it to suit my preferences. I'm just considering my options and stuff like duracoat and/or cerakote are nice to know about.

[The Raven]

I used polyurethane acrylic to paint my Ruger Hawkeye 30-06 Springfield. I know I will be able to get the paint of the metalwork and scope at least if I ever want too.

Was this a traditional 2-pak or a single application paint?

I know some convenient synthetic lacquers (probably polyurethane) that might do the job but I'd need to do some very careful testing first as it generally is a pain to remove.

I like how cerakote can be applied to working surfaces without causing problems.

[Mulga]

Was this a traditional 2-pak or a single application paint?

The paint was colorbond touch up paint in a spray can from Bunnings I cant remember the exact name.

[Marco]

http://www.nicindustries.com/

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