Review: Duracoat "Shake & Spray" Finishing Kit *pictures added*

[MDGrand]

I know the first thing that many of you are going to say, is "where are the pictures?" Not to worry, I will be adding them later. But I figured I would at least give eveyone a review of Duracoat's new "Shake and Spray" do it yourself home finishing kit seen here: http://www.houtsenterprises.net/dur_shakenspray.html

Now, I have never done Duracoat before and I was looking to do just the barrel of my Remington XCR II. I just received a stainless steel Hart barrel and I wanted it to match the Trynite coating that was put on the receiver, bolt and magazine plate from the factory. I looked into several local sources of guys that had the spray guns and experience in doing a quality job. However, after looking at Duracoat's site and seeing the modest price for the airosol version, I decided to give it a try, albeit on a crescent wrench first.

Well, after reading the directions and trying it out on the wrench, it came out great! simple prep and hung to dry and I got a nice even finish throughout.

So.. I decided to do the barrel.. first took all the components apart, scope, rings, stock, etc and placed the barrel in a brace from the insert of the crown and the rear of the receiver to hold the barrel in place.

Simply following the directions and allowed drying time and it came out almost perfect! Nice even coats, and it matches the stock Trynite finish well.

The only draw back on this apparatus is the connection of the airosol can to the bottle.. it can leak when the spray is appled out of the base. I am glad I found this out when testing it out on a wrench, a simple torqueing down and covering the connection withpapertowels sealed it off.

I will admit, that doing just a barrel is easier than doing working components that would be on an AR for example. But I would highly recommend this kit to first timmers who are looking to apply it to just a barrel, receiver and bolt.

With the proper prep and placement mine came out exactly how I wanted it.

Now I just have to wait for it to fully cure.. appx 3-4 weeks until they say it is imprevious.

As promised here are some pictures.. 1st two are before, the following pics are after.. sorry about the flash reflection but I think it still shows how even the coat turned out.

[MtnMuley]

I've also heard some good reports about others using the newer airosol Duracoat.  They look good to me, but the true test is to see how long it lasts on the field in hunting conditions.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Biting my tongue.....biting my tongue...

[MDGrand]

I've also heard some good reports about others using the newer airosol Duracoat.  They look good to me, but the true test is to see how long it lasts on the field in hunting conditions.

Agreed.. True test will be this fall.

Application though was as advertised.

[MDGrand]

Biting my tongue.....biting my tongue...

Please don't.. what are your thoughts?

[MtnMuley]

I'm guessing if some wears off, like I've heard of before, that you can just clean it up and do a little touching up.........? 

[jackelope]

Biting my tongue.....biting my tongue...

What could there possibly be to bite your tongue over regarding this topic?

I'm curious to know about this stuff too. If there's bad to be said about it, please share.

[MuleySniper]

Sounds easy. I'll be excited to see some pics. Do you think there are any benefits when using an airbrush instead? Maybe for painting smaller parts. I have an A-bolt I wouldn't mind doing. I have a nice airbrush, just not a lot of experience with it. The aerosol idea seems fairly dummy proof.
MS

[Heredoggydoggy]

Biting my tongue.....biting my tongue...

Please don't.. what are your thoughts?

Sorry-- I just can't help it.  "Shake & SPAY"?  My mind instantly went to dogs and cats.  I know the intent was to say Spray.  It's just the way my mind works.

Duracoat is a fine product.  I have never used it, but a gunsmith friend of mine is going to use it when he builds his .338-06.  The only downside is the long cure time, but he plans on getting it done long before hunting season.

[MDGrand]

LOL!

Holy sh*t.. what a bad typo. Sorry.. I would have laughed too. I fixed it.

As far as the cure time.. yeah.. it says to wait 3-4 weeks before really using it. I plan on doing just that. Summer time is a perfect time to let it sit and cure up.

[MDGrand]

Sounds easy. I'll be excited to see some pics. Do you think there are any benefits when using an airbrush instead? Maybe for painting smaller parts. I have an A-bolt I wouldn't mind doing. I have a nice airbrush, just not a lot of experience with it. The aerosol idea seems fairly dummy proof.
MS

I think there definitely are benefits.. the airosol you have to really shake up.. I made sure to keep it shook before I did every little bit of the barrel so to keep the coat even.. I imagine if you do not, then you will get BAD results.. as it can drip.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Sounds easy. I'll be excited to see some pics. Do you think there are any benefits when using an airbrush instead? Maybe for painting smaller parts. I have an A-bolt I wouldn't mind doing. I have a nice airbrush, just not a lot of experience with it. The aerosol idea seems fairly dummy proof.
MS

The airbrush would be good for cutting in camo patterns, and small parts.  I've used my airbrush for detailing model warplane painting, but not gun parts.  You get real good at spraying in the smoke stains on airplane exhausts and gun ports.once you get the hang of it.  Plus it's a fun tool to play with!  I use aerosol cans for large items, but precise control with them is not good.

[jackelope]

LOL!

Holy sh*t.. what a bad typo. Sorry.. I would have laughed too. I fixed it.

As far as the cure time.. yeah.. it says to wait 3-4 weeks before really using it. I plan on doing just that. Summer time is a perfect time to let it sit and cure up.

My dog was hiding in the closet.

[quadrafire]

Biting my tongue.....biting my tongue...

Please don't.. what are your thoughts?

Sorry-- I just can't help it.  "Shake & SPAY"?  My mind instantly went to dogs and cats.  I know the intent was to say Spray.  It's just the way my mind works.

LOL----I hadn't even noticed that. Too funny.

I have a shotty barrel I may want to try this product on. Thanks for the review

[AWS]

Can I ask what the final cost was including degreaser etc.

The reason I sk as I was quoted $75 to get the barrel and action hydro-dipped.  I'm going to build a little 358Win bolt carbine and will do the stock myself but would like a nice job on the metal.

AWS

[MDGrand]

Its $29.95 before shipping and handleing

[AWS]

Thanks

AWS

[birdwacker]

My gunsmith used durabake on my marlin and it looks great, cures in the oven at 200 degrees in 2 hrs.