Gunsmithing Removing duracoat?

[rugerdiggs]

I am just about finished gathering all the parts for my 338Edge. The barrel i have has been duracoated or cerakoted. I have access to a sand blasting machine and thinking that will do the job but wanted to ask for input first. My thoughts is put an earplug in each end followed with tape to protect threads and go to town. What do yall think?

Next question is since the barrel is stainless and the sandblaster will or should make a dull finish on the barrel should i try to do the same with the action to match them, i just got the action back from having it trued and laped, can tape off the surface of it if yall think it could affect it, please let me know your opinion, dont want to give up accuracy on my action and or barrel just for looks, thanks

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Removing duracoat?

to get the matte finish you will need to use glass beads and not ALOX. If you are recoating it, blast with 120 grit ALOX and prep for paint.

 

[rugerdiggs]

Re: Removing duracoat?

I may leave it all stainless for awhile and have it recoated later, just dont want to mess anything up

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Removing duracoat?

get some glass bead media then. Play with the PSI to get the desired finish you want.

 

[rugerdiggs]

Re: Removing duracoat?

ok, what about the reciever, do i need to tape off the face? planned on taping both ends of the barrel

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Removing duracoat?

is the receiver and barrel attached or are they seperated? If seperated I would tape off the front of the action. I would like wise take some painters tape and a brass hammer, tape off the chamber and lightly tap the tape around the barrel chamber so it cuts the tape and gives you a perfect cut and circle. Plug the muzzle with an earplug and blast away. I would start out using 60 PSI with the glass beads.

 

[rugerdiggs]

Re: Removing duracoat?

Ok thanks, there seperated for now just got my headspace gauge in and the stock should be here this week, thanks again hope to send a 300gr smk down range this weekend if at all possible.

 

[rugerdiggs]

Re: Removing duracoat?

Well the machine is acting a bit sick hate to get started and not finish, is there anything else i can use to remove it like a chemical?

 

[seanh]

Re: Removing duracoat?

what I've used in the past was cone shaped dowel pins...expandable plugs too.
http://www.shawplugs.com/

Foam ear plugs work too.

As to blasting, Walnut shells work too.


Chemically strip Cerakote? There are companies that do it...same companies that strip powder coating, but couldn't tell you what the chemical is. Possibly Sodium Hydroxide, Muratic Acid, Nitric Acid?...Definitely plug the barrel if you do this.

Personally I'd scratch the chemical idea and just fix the machine.

 

[rugerdiggs]

Re: Removing duracoat?

Yea i believe i will try the machine

 

[RTO]

Re: Removing duracoat?

If you plan to repaint it in the future, I would suggest blasting with ALOX or bead blasting again then dip in acetone for 20 mins, pull out put it in a oven or something that you can heat it to about 150 to pull the oils out then re dip in acetone again. You may need to do this several times. This will allow you to get good coverage and allow the cerakote or duracoat to stick properly.

 

[rugerdiggs]

Re: Removing duracoat?

Well i got the blasting machine working but the tip was pretty much trash so i didnt want to run risk on the action but i taped off both ends of the barrel with painters tape around the threads real good then duck tape to ensure i didnt hit the threads with any meadia or the bore. Finish is not like glass but looks good enough till i make sure it shoots good.