Posted: 6/29/2026 7:49:16 PM EDT
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Who here has done it, and what did you use? Was it genuinely black or blue, or something else? How did it hold up as far as wear and corrosion? I have a gun project and I'd like to color the stainless if possible, but don't want to mess with it if it's not really very "black". |
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I had a stainless 1911 purchased in 2006 with black accents on it. Over time, the black stuff started chipping off and looking bad, so I had the whole slide refinished in black DLC. I think it looks great. Also had the frame and frame components refinished in silver DLC. Before:  After:  |
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Originally Posted By M-231: I'm ok with a medium black, no need to go none-more-black, but i want to be able to only mask certain areas and not just be all-black. Originally Posted By M-231: Originally Posted By tommyidone: Nitriding. how black we talking here? I'm ok with a medium black, no need to go none-more-black, but i want to be able to only mask certain areas and not just be all-black. Why not cerakote it silver and black for the highlights? Actually, with cerakote you could do a lot of different colors/combinations. |
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Caswell Plating sell a chemical to blacken stainless. I've no idea how black it gives stainless and no idea on durability. The site says Gray/Black and a sealer is needed. https://caswellplating.com/search-results-page?q=stainless%20steel%20blackener |
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How does gun GunKote hold up? I was thinking about using it in a project. |
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Originally Posted By NN300BLK: How does gun GunKote hold up? I was thinking about using it in a project. Durability depends heavily on prep though. Prep can make or break the durability of the coating. With any of the paint coatings you need to blast it for a rough surface anywhere the paint is going (I use like 100 grit aluminum ozide at 90psi). Parkerizing over that (for steel, not SS) will add considerable durability. Gunkote has a primer they called KPhos which is also helpful for durability, though it's not quite as good as a parkerizing base, but I believe it can be used on SS. So, if everything is done right, Gunkote is a very durable coating. At least as durable as Cerakote. I've done AK and FAL bolts and carriers that show minimal wear with thousands of rounds. I've done pistol slides and barrels as well. Nitride will be greatly superior durability wise though. |
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Originally Posted By dmk0210: I use Gunkote quite a bit. It's easier to apply than Cerakote. You basically just pour it out of the can, spray and bake. Durability depends heavily on prep though. Prep can make or break the durability of the coating. With any of the paint coatings you need to blast it for a rough surface anywhere the paint is going (I use like 100 grit aluminum ozide at 90psi). Parkerizing over that (for steel, not SS) will add considerable durability. Gunkote has a primer they called KPhos which is also helpful for durability, though it's not quite as good as a parkerizing base, but I believe it can be used on SS. So, if everything is done right, Gunkote is a very durable coating. At least as durable as Cerakote. I've done AK and FAL bolts and carriers that show minimal wear with thousands of rounds. I've done pistol slides and barrels as well. Nitride will be greatly superior durability wise though. Thank you.  It's steel, not stainless steel, so I should be able to go the Parkerizing route. I think I read that Cerakote also seems to work well on Parkerized finishes, but I could be mistaken. |
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Originally Posted By NN300BLK: Thank you. It's steel, not stainless steel, so I should be able to go the Parkerizing route. I think I read that Cerakote also seems to work well on Parkerized finishes, but I could be mistaken. Of course, make sure the parkerized finish is thoroughly degreased. I usually soak it good with brake parts cleaner, then bake it at about 200deg for 20 minutes or so to reveal any oil or grease missed. Then soak it with brake parts cleaner again. From that point on, handle it only with clean gloves until the paint application is done. |
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Originally Posted By NN300BLK: How does gun GunKote hold up? I was thinking about using it in a project. Originally Posted By NN300BLK: How does gun GunKote hold up? I was thinking about using it in a project. A local jail deputy coated tons of Sigs for USBP and local LE using GunKote. Sig bluing was the least durable finish I had ever seen at the time. I still have a Rem 1100 trap gun that doesn't see much abuse, but it is absolutely gorgeous 25 years later. My brother had a couple duty guns and an 870 done with it, and they took a beating. It was the best available at the time. Cerakote is where it is at right now. I just had a set of headers done. My header guy doesn't have an FFL..........sad face.  I really want a hardchrome done on my SA-35. |
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
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Originally Posted By NN300BLK:How does gun GunKote hold up? I was thinking about using it in a project. Originally Posted By NN300BLK:How does gun GunKote hold up? I was thinking about using it in a project.  Originally Posted By wildearp: I have had many Guns with Gunkote and still have a few. It will not stand up to hard duty use, but if it is DIY, it is easy and cheap to do again.  |
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I've used Brownells Oxpho-Blue in the past. Stainless came out black which is what I wanted but I only did a small area. I didn't really care for the shmugged look on the S&W 6XX's hammers and triggers. I removed what was on the hammers with blue remover and made the triggers a solid black. That was 23+ years ago and are still looking great. I don't know how a large area will come out: Attached File |