Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/19/2008 10:02:43 AM EDT
| Tactical shotgun build in progress. Parts are steel (gloss and matt blued and parkerized) and black coated (not anodized) aluminum. My goal, as a first timer, is to apply a single colored coating to achieve a uniform appearance on all parts. Read entire forum, seems like I need an air compressor, spray gun, and sand blaster attachment to optimally apply something like Cerakote or Durakote. Recommendations on specific reasonablely priced hobby level equipment and study materials (printed or electronic) would be greatly appreciated. Logic check welcomed. |
|
You dont really need a blaster. If you cant find one, just use 220 grit paper and rough everything up, degrease with brake cleaner and spray. You can go the airbrush route or get a cheap HVLP gun at Lowes/Home Depot and if you have a small air compressor you can use it with the HVLP gun, you just have to take your time and let the tank catch up to you. Alot of people just use a cheap airbrush from wallyworld or you might find a good one a good price at Dixie Art Works (easy to find on google) or if you choose to do the duracoat route, the airbrush kit they sell is decent. |
|
Logic says that if you are happy with the way your shotgun looks, you will soon refinish other fire-arms. Plus, you might be tempted to paint other items, flashlights, radios, whatever. I understand the economic theory behind paying some one to perform a service on a single item, but if you want to enjoy every aspect of your build, the finish is indeed some thing to consider. As you refinish other guns, the equpment cost is diluted. The pleasure of creating a custom item is impossible to measure in monetary units. |
|
+1 on the sandpaper rather than blasting. You don't really need to get into all of the blasting equipment--unless it's something you just want to have, of course. +1 on the paint sprayers at Lowe's & Home Depot. I got a hobby spray painter at Lowe's for $99 about a year ago. I forget it's official name, sorry; but it's made to do little jobs like chairs and moulding and arts & crafts. It's made by Wagner, just like the whole-house sprayers, and is good quality. I've never used the Cerakote; but I have used that sprayer multiple times for Duracoat. It works great! Adjustable nozzle so you can get VERY light coats if you want (in areas where you want to paint but don't want to get gunked up), as well as heavier coats. I just sandpaper, degrease, and use my little $99 spray paint machine. Comes out great. Hope it helps. |
| Thank you very much gentlemen. Messages received and understood. I'll be off to Lowe's in the morning. I've selected HK Black as my color of choice. Boy, some of those Camo patterns are tempting. I feel a new hobby coming on! Last Question For The Pros - All parts except the receiver are new in the box. Duracoat website says just spray right on, no prep. Do you think a light sanding would give the parts more tooth and enhance adheasion? |
| you should ALWAYS do some type of prep. Unless it is parkerized, sand it with 220 grit paper then degrease really good, then spray. You might want to check out this post for more info. |
Armory Sponsor