OT- Anyone ever used or heard of Duracoat?

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:10 pm

I ordered some this week to refinish a gun for my girlfriend. She wanted one of those new Charter Arms pink .38's. I can't bring myself to spend that much on a Charter. They run about 320 to 350 bucks. I found a good deal on another .38, and I ordered the Duracoat to make it look like what she wants. I figure it's worth it if I can get her to shoot.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone's ever used this product or know anyone who has. I'll post my results after this weekend when I'm done with it, but I was wondering if anyone had any feedback. They make it sound like pretty good stuff on the website, but then again they're the ones trying to sell it. It's offered by Lauer Custom Weaponry.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:57 pm

I tried and here are my opinions. It goes on very easy and does not tend to run. You do have to conduct a little research to get it right as the instructions were lacking. You do have to use an airbrush if you did not know that. What tends to get over looked is the fact that if you don't sand blast the part, it may not wear well. I did not and just covered a (degreased) blued firearm. It wore pretty quick. Would I use it again? No.

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:12 pm

Bruce,

Thanks for the info. Yes, I did know you had to use an airbrush, and I have one. I didn't know about the sandblasting though. I'm still going to try it because I already paid for it. If I don't like it then you can bet I'll never use it again. About how long did it take for your firearm to show signs of wear?

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:54 pm

Just my opinion. But what mamma wants mamma gets! You better learn to keep them happy, even before you marry em. If you have to be able to rationalize it. Just tell yourself that it cost more plus your labor to buy the standard Charter Arms and then have it coated to the color she would like. Also IMO a gun that came from the factory that way would have better resale than a gun you coat yourself. Just food for thought!

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:25 pm

there's video on the brownell website that gives very explicit directions, it's worthwhile to watch it...

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed May 21, 2008 8:57 pm

horsesoldier03 wrote:Just my opinion. But what mamma wants mamma gets! You better learn to keep them happy, even before you marry em. If you have to be able to rationalize it. Just tell yourself that it cost more plus your labor to buy the standard Charter Arms and then have it coated to the color she would like. Also IMO a gun that came from the factory that way would have better resale than a gun you coat yourself. Just food for thought!

I don't have that much experience with Charter, and they just look cheap to me. I bought her a Rossi, and even with purchasing the Duracoat I came out about a hundred bucks cheaper than buying a new Charter. I'm not worried about the resale. If she ends up not wanting it I'll just refinish it to something I like and keep it. I've been wanting one anyway. She's not picky, she just likes pink. I don't know if the Rossis are anymore well built than the Charters, but they look like it to me.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:13 pm

I turned this:

Into this:

for my daughter using a combination of Duracoat and Rustoleum products. The Duracoat is the base for both the wood and metal. I would have used it throughout, but I had ordered it almost a year before I got around to the project. The stuff has a shelf life of 6 months - and they mean it. It was a bear to put on, so after getting the base coat applied I put a top coat on of Rustoleum's products. Turned out really nice - I think she liked it!

Bruce is right - instructions are dismal, but it is not too hard to figure out. I recommend the product - but also recommend you order it right before you are ready to do the project!!!

Good luck - post some pictures when you have done the deed!!!

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Thu May 22, 2008 12:00 am

Ysabel,

I hope my girlfriend doesn't see that! If she does I'll be doing another gun. She loves pink. I have a little Marlin single shot I'm thinking of redoing for her in pink. I'll just have to see what interest she has in shooting first.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:24 am

I just love the look on that little girl's face.

Iron_Marshal · Post by **Iron_Marshal** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:49 am

Ysabel, What kind of a rifle is that? I have a .22 Stevens Model 56C that looks almost identical. The plastic trigger guard and the stock look exactly the same but the bolt and magazine are a little different. My grandfather gave me the rifle and it had acres of cobwebs in the barrel. It is not a tack driver but I am just happy to have his old rifle.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu May 22, 2008 11:11 am

YK When I started to read this thread I immediately thought of you and your expertise in Pink Guns but I didn't think you would appreciate the title of the " Pink Gun Expert "

But I do love the look on your youngsters face with that proudly held rifle.

piller · Post by **piller** » Thu May 22, 2008 3:41 pm

Ysabel, great pics. Keeping our kids interested in shooting and maybe hunting is a very worthwhile pursuit. If my 18 year old daughter finds a handgun in purple, I'll have to buy it for her. If anyone knows of one, please DON'T tell her until she is 21 and can buy it for herself.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:29 pm

shooter wrote:Ysabel,

I hope my girlfriend doesn't see that! If she does I'll be doing another gun. She loves pink. I have a little Marlin single shot I'm thinking of redoing for her in pink. I'll just have to see what interest she has in shooting first.

shooter -

You make her a pink-stocked .22, and I guarantee she'll love shooting it!!!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:30 pm

Old Savage wrote:I just love the look on that little girl's face.

OS - that's her "I'm ready to take on the world" smirk. I see it often!!!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:31 pm

Irish_Cop wrote:Ysabel, What kind of a rifle is that? I have a .22 Stevens Model 56C that looks almost identical. The plastic trigger guard and the stock look exactly the same but the bolt and magazine are a little different. My grandfather gave me the rifle and it had acres of cobwebs in the barrel. It is not a tack driver but I am just happy to have his old rifle.

IC -

It is a "Western Auto Supply 'Revelation Model 105'", which is basically a store-brand Marlin bolt action. I got it used from a local gun shop with the refinishing for my daughter specifically in mind. I went in and asked for a "restoration special" - something that was functional and safe, but I didn't care about the finish. I think I paid $65 for it!

It was a fun project and I intend on doing more of these - hone my refinishing skills, and perhaps give them to some young aspiring shooters!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:35 pm

game keeper wrote:YK When I started to read this thread I immediately thought of you and your expertise in Pink Guns but I didn't think you would appreciate the title of the " Pink Gun Expert "

But I do love the look on your youngsters face with that proudly held rifle.

GK -

"Pink Gun Expert"... "PGE".... Well, I guess I have been called a lot worse in life. Often. By my wife!

She was one happy camper when I gave it to her. Here she is when she first opened the case:

If I was the richest man in the world I don't think I could ever buy what a wonderful feeling that was to see her reaction.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:41 pm

piller wrote:Ysabel, great pics. Keeping our kids interested in shooting and maybe hunting is a very worthwhile pursuit.

I agree 1000%

You can always make her a purple grip for a handgun!

shooter - sorry to hi-jack your post - I was only trying to help!

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:24 pm

Shooter , the product goes on pretty thick. It doesn't work good in tight tolerances. Steve Lauer loves his AR's and other black guns and that is what he designed his product for. After talking to him at his gunshop about his product , I decided it's not something I would use on a Win 94 receiver, there is other products that go on thinner.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:33 pm

shooter wrote:Ysabel,
I hope my girlfriend doesn't see that! If she does I'll be...

When I saw the look on her face in that picture, my first thought was NOT that your girlfriend would want a pink gun, but that your girlfriend is liable to talk you into getting hitched and having kids. The cute kid just HAS to go with a cute gun - it is a matched set!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:21 am

BenT wrote:Shooter , the product goes on pretty thick. It doesn't work good in tight tolerances. Steve Lauer loves his AR's and other black guns and that is what he designed his product for. After talking to him at his gunshop about his product , I decided it's not something I would use on a Win 94 receiver, there is other products that go on thinner.

True - I hadn't thought of that. I talked with Steve a couple years ago when he was at his booth at the NRA show in Milwaukee. This stuff is tough as nails - and meant to not only look good, but last forever. As such, it is a thicker application than most anything else.

Didn't matter on the .22 for my daughter though, as it had plenty of "tolerance" being as old as it was!

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:08 am

Duracoat is PolaneÂ®

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/oem/us/ ... ne_enamel/

KCSO · Post by **KCSO** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:18 pm

Try Michael Bloomberg the NYC sales rep! He's trying to have the company shut down.

They do make a good product and it does a superior job if that's the kinnd of finish you like.