Why rattle can paint instead of Duracoat, et al.?

[JediGuy]

Cerakote and Duracoat also add substantial thickness compared to rattle canning

People need to remember that a heavy couple coats of spray paint will do the same. I had to take a razor edge and mallet to a pivot pin after a heavy paint job using Gillespie-manufactured paint this summer. I always mask off any other holes with sticky tack or Playdoh, but messed up on the pin for sure.

Not only fitment, massive amounts of paint does add ounces to your gun.

[HKGuns]

Cerakote and Duracoat also add substantial thickness compared to rattle canning

Cerakote, if done properly and using the correct spray gun, doesn't add that much at all. The target for the elite series I use is 1/2 Mil or .0005' which is less than the tolerance of most parts of the AR. Factor in the media blasting you are doing to create an adherence surface to the part and its probably overall less than even that measurement.

I've never used Duracoat, so can't speak to that one.

[hotrodder636]

I duracoated one AR, and have one in a bronze anodize (Colt) and the other a desert dirt (Geissele). Other than that, most of mine are just standard black anodize. I have a few colors of rattle can in case I ever paint one, just have never had the need nor desire.

[SteyrAUG]

Cheap and easy way to get what is commonly called a battle worn finish. Nobody will believe your war stories if the rifle looks new.

This.

[ryanm]

duracoat has a huge variety of color options, down side is $70 a can shipped

[docsherm]

Do you strip it before adding paint? Seems it would build up quite a lot of surface after a while.

I do not. Because if you use your ARs it will wear down a lot.

And to add to that..... the more it wears down the more effective the camo is.

[TMS951]

I used a higher quality one from brownells that came in a spray can.

It was tacky to the touch for 3 months and I don’t think fully cured for 6.

[Disciple]

It was tacky to the touch for 3 months and I don’t think fully cured for 6.

Did you skip a prescribed thermal cure?

[SteyrAUG]

Did you skip a prescribed thermal cure?

I think that's the other attraction to rattle can. Most of us can't throw our rifles in the oven and stay married.

[kirkland]

I think that's the other attraction to rattle can. Most of us can't throw our rifles in the oven and stay married.

Low effort, cheap, and just works.