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View Full Version : How important are aftermarket finishes on tactical bolt rifles?



maximus83
09-22-08, 14:33
I've been wondering recently just how much of a priority should it be, when you're setting up a bolt rifle for precision shooting--whether comps or tactical or just range--to have an aftermarket coating applied? I'm talking about the various corrosion protection packages like Roguard, Cerakote, Duracoat, Teflon, etc.

Obviously they're NICE to have if money is no object. But money almost always IS an object, and I'm curious how much of a priority this item should be.

Recently I was talking to the guy who did some custom work on my rifle, and asked him if I should put on a coating. He had kind of a different perspective than you hear from some rifle customizers, who will basically sell you anything to add a few more bucks to the order.

He said: "Sure, I can Cerakote it for you and I'll make a little more money, but no I don't think it's necessary. Just take care of your rifle, apply a good rust-proofing solution regularly and keep it in a treated bag, dry safe, or both."

He went on to point out that all the guys who settled this country and carried rifles--guys like Lewis and Clark, the pioneers, guys who went into Alaska, etc.--were carrying old blued rifles in the worst of conditions and didn't have any of the modern rust-proofing products we do, yet they still managed to keep their rifles clean and functional. So bottom line: his perspective is, modern coatings are nice, but totally unnecessary if you take care of your rifle.

I'd like to hear anybody else's thoughts on the importance of finishes.

markm
09-22-08, 14:48
If I were setting up a precision rig there's no way I'd opt for one of those city slicker coatings. I'd just camo paint it. That way a finish touch up is only a spray away.

maximus83
09-23-08, 12:31
I hear you, Demi. But I've also noticed that respected builders, like GA Precision, are offering Cerakote on all their higher end models that cost over $3K (though it costs extra to have it added to their base model which runs about $2k). So, even though part of me doesn't want to do it, I have to think there may be SOME good reason for the finishes if solid companies like GAP are offering them.

Even though I still agree with the guy that worked on my rifle, that you CAN get by without custom finishes, they may add some real value if you live in a very rust-prone environment (which I do). I'm researching the idea of getting a Robar finish, for about $325 (plus shipping), but trying to decided if it'll add enough value to justify the cost. Hoping to find a few guys who have had Robar or Cerakote or similar finishes put on a rifle, and see if they think it was worth it.

Dave L.
09-23-08, 16:00
When GAP built my rifle I had them put Tan CeraKote on it. It works as a nice base coat for spray paint BUT... A little oil mixed with a little dust/sand will take the finish right off.
If your gun is a safe queen then it will last. If you actually use it, and drag it on your way to the target...just stick with Krylon.

zac4551
09-24-08, 10:35
I might look at getting a different finish if I was going to be out in rough environments for days or weeks at a time but I can usually clean my rifle the same day.

maximus83
09-24-08, 14:48
I haven't worked with painting my own rifles before, using Krylon or anything similar.

I googled and found a few basic guides suggesting how other guys put Krylon or something similar on their rifles.

Are any of these guides any good, or can someone suggest a better process?

http://www.optactical.com/weaponpainting.html

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=10905

http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/arrspray.htm

friedcheese
10-07-08, 23:42
I had my Rem 700 Milspec Cerakoted....


Love it.... would do it again and again, but I won't have to cuz it's cerakote.

The green and black was Krylon.... the SS was the orginal
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/silver_2_blknGrn006.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/silver_2_blknGrn002.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/silver_2_blknGrn008.jpg

the tan is cerakote earth, the stock I texured with Marine Tex, then Krylon'd the hell out of it, just got gray krylon to put the 3rd color to it....

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/Marine_Tex/Brown_stock_camo004.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/Marine_Tex/Brown_stock_camo005.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/Marine_Tex/Marine_tex_stock007.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/GUNZ/DONE_camo_rifle003.jpg

I think total cost for the creakote... just under $200. He resprayed 3 times to make it perfect. Stuff is great!

Possible I'll do duracoat on the stock once it wears more.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/FRIED303/c570e28f.jpg

Need the Scope , Rings, Bipod done in the same color.

DocGKR
10-08-08, 03:29
How many military sniper rifles have an aftermarket finish? How many get spray painted? There's your answer...

andre3k
10-08-08, 07:38
How many military sniper rifles have an aftermarket finish? How many get spray painted? There's your answer...

+ 1

All the .mil sniper rifles I've seen look like they have ratty krylon jobs to me.

yrac
10-09-08, 20:01
If it's a pride of ownership thing, and you've got the money to spend, then have at it. If your budget requires some tradeoffs, you're better served spending the money on a quality base, rings and good glass. Then get good training. Then add the finish later if you have the funds and still want it.

mark5pt56
10-13-08, 13:11
Most people have whatever finish applied to make it look pretty, some do it to protect the metal. Very few actually need to do it to protect the metal and to aid in concealment.

rob_s
10-13-08, 13:22
Down here, every gun I own needs some kind of coating. I'd much prefer to have a good high-tech coating on the rifle under whatever spray paint or other field finish I wanted to put on it.

Stainless guns rust down here if not properly attended to.

Patrick Aherne
10-13-08, 13:52
Three cans of krylon, some mesh, like a laundry bag, and a few leaves + blue masking tape and degreaser = a custom finish.

mark5pt56
10-13-08, 17:13
Base coat of Aluma-Hyde II and Krylon for pattern--Pine needles--two of many done

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/mark5pt56/100_2233.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/mark5pt56/100_2232.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/mark5pt56/100_1063.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/mark5pt56/100_1064.jpg

maximus83
10-13-08, 22:26
Thanks for the pics, very nice! Glad to hear that you had good luck with Aluma-hyde. I've been sort of keeping my eye on that stuff at Brownells for awhile, thinking about using it to recoat a 10-22 where some Gun-Scrubber removed a bit of the receiver finish. The thing I like is, unlike a lot of the other options, it doesn't have to be baked on, or applied with some fancy air gun. Knowing that you found it to be a good base coat, I'll keep that as an option when I get around to spray-painting this rifle.

buggsb
10-21-08, 16:11
Three cans of krylon, some mesh, like a laundry bag, and a few leaves + blue masking tape and degreaser = a custom finish.

+1 !!!

While the "fancy" finishes may make a nice base coat, if "money is no object", a couple cans of krylon and some leaves can make an excellent finish in a real working gun.

Surf
11-06-08, 21:07
My working gun. Bout time for a touch up.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd60/SSDSurf/IMG_11511.jpg