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View Full Version : Painting or powdercoating Optics?


jeeper2269
03-12-11, 00:28
I see a lot of painted rifles in the pics sections. Just wondering what you guys think about painting, or powdercoating an aimpoint R1, to matte black.

Info I have, says the powdercoating is 140-220 degrees. and the specs on the R1 optic, will only go up to 140 degrees.

What have you guys done?
obucina
03-12-11, 09:11
i think powdercoating is out of the question simply for prep reasons. The metal would have to be blasted and "prebaked" to gas out the impurities that can leach into the metal. Since it is exposed to oils, spent propellant, etc, that would have to be completely removed in order for the powder to lay and bake evenly. If not, you will have a gas bubble and will have to strip it and repeat the process.

I say rattle can it.
14point5
03-12-11, 17:15
Duracoat is the way to go. It is a super tough epoxy finish that does not require heating to cure.

Here is an R-1 ($299 deal) that I did in black duracoat for my Kel-Tec PLR-16

http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/14point5/Hardware/R1MicroDuracoatKeltec.jpg

and here is another one I did for my yellow CavArms carbine:

http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/14point5/Hardware/R1MicroDuracoatCavArms.jpg

I spent about an hour a piece prepping (masking and roughing up the surface with a scotchbrite pad) and that makes all the difference.
jeeper2269
03-12-11, 20:43
Where is the $299 deal?
USMCFO
03-12-11, 23:37
The 299 deal was from MidwayUSA, which isn't doing it anymore. I bought one from JRD sports for 336. Which is not bad.

Here is the link:
http://jrdsportinggoods.com/product_info.php?products_id=6279
Iraqgunz
03-13-11, 00:00
Don't overthink it. Alumahyde and some Krylon.
WuRich2355
03-15-11, 02:56
powder coat would be nice!.. and durable as well..
quick question ..accidently loosened one of the screws on the eotech ,would that affect the clarity of the sight @ all?.
thanx guys
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/wurich2355/0e5c3edb.jpg
:confused:
nimdabew
03-15-11, 12:47
If loosening it affected reticle quality, maybe tightening it back to where it was would make it better? I don't know for sure, but that is just a WASG.