Pax
08-22-17, 20:01
Google has turned up nothing but outdated and conflicting results. I trust the conglomerate of decades of expertise here more than anywhere else in the world.
I have a short 416R 300 BLK barrel thats been sitting for months. Finally getting this gun together. Because I live in south Texas, the taint of the world, even this stainless barrel has developed light surface oxidation sitting in a box in an air conditioned room.
I am interested in electropolishing the outside surface. I understand it could be blasted with fine aluminum oxide to achieve a similar effect, but Im always interested in things I can do myself. One concern is that it may make the surface too smooth for optimal adhesion of CeraKote. I do not intend to regularly remove my handguard to reoil the outside of the barrel to prevent rust, so unfortunately CeraKote becomes necessary. I have no idea why anyone would ever settle in this swamp of a city. Any CeraKoters care to weigh in on coaring extremely smooth surfaces? Supposedly electropolishing makes it significantly less likely to ever corrode again by removing iron from the surface. We shall see. I intend to seal the bore at the chamber throat and muzzle crown with silicone gasket maker. Have plenty on hand, its easy to remove and theoretically should be unaffected by the electrolyte solution. This will also polish the chamber, feed ramps, and lugs.
I have heard mainly skeptical/critical responses to electropolishing bores, and it just doesnt seem necessary to me considering how the bore will be scraped clean by brushes and reoiled with a regular firing schedule. Any rust in there wont last long. Additionally, while accuracy is not a major concern on this weapon since its intended maximum range is a couple hundred yards, it is always preferable when possible to accurize all weapons, and the potential for electropolishing to debur the rifling lands to the point that they no longer impart a stabilizing spin is bad juju. There are simply too many variables that appear so untested as to be unknowable: the electrolyte composition, voltage, duration, etc. To make matters worse the difference were talking about is so minute as to be unmeasurable with any tool Id ever own. Long story short, Id prefer to leave the bore alone.
I presume this wouldnt affect the barrels structural integrity in any way. But. Thats why Im here. Correct me if Im wrong. Id rather not destroy a barrel.
If it matters, I also eventually intend to have Marvin Pitts dimple this.
So. Sorry for the novel. Many factors to consider... If you had a 416R barrel with minor oxidation, how would you refinish it? Just shell out for media blasting and coating? Anybody have any experience with electropolished parts they feel would be relevant? Thanks.
I have a short 416R 300 BLK barrel thats been sitting for months. Finally getting this gun together. Because I live in south Texas, the taint of the world, even this stainless barrel has developed light surface oxidation sitting in a box in an air conditioned room.
I am interested in electropolishing the outside surface. I understand it could be blasted with fine aluminum oxide to achieve a similar effect, but Im always interested in things I can do myself. One concern is that it may make the surface too smooth for optimal adhesion of CeraKote. I do not intend to regularly remove my handguard to reoil the outside of the barrel to prevent rust, so unfortunately CeraKote becomes necessary. I have no idea why anyone would ever settle in this swamp of a city. Any CeraKoters care to weigh in on coaring extremely smooth surfaces? Supposedly electropolishing makes it significantly less likely to ever corrode again by removing iron from the surface. We shall see. I intend to seal the bore at the chamber throat and muzzle crown with silicone gasket maker. Have plenty on hand, its easy to remove and theoretically should be unaffected by the electrolyte solution. This will also polish the chamber, feed ramps, and lugs.
I have heard mainly skeptical/critical responses to electropolishing bores, and it just doesnt seem necessary to me considering how the bore will be scraped clean by brushes and reoiled with a regular firing schedule. Any rust in there wont last long. Additionally, while accuracy is not a major concern on this weapon since its intended maximum range is a couple hundred yards, it is always preferable when possible to accurize all weapons, and the potential for electropolishing to debur the rifling lands to the point that they no longer impart a stabilizing spin is bad juju. There are simply too many variables that appear so untested as to be unknowable: the electrolyte composition, voltage, duration, etc. To make matters worse the difference were talking about is so minute as to be unmeasurable with any tool Id ever own. Long story short, Id prefer to leave the bore alone.
I presume this wouldnt affect the barrels structural integrity in any way. But. Thats why Im here. Correct me if Im wrong. Id rather not destroy a barrel.
If it matters, I also eventually intend to have Marvin Pitts dimple this.
So. Sorry for the novel. Many factors to consider... If you had a 416R barrel with minor oxidation, how would you refinish it? Just shell out for media blasting and coating? Anybody have any experience with electropolished parts they feel would be relevant? Thanks.