Cerakoted Barrel Finish after Mill work...What should I do?

[HairyDemon]

I am debating having my 20in 308 barrel for my AXMC cut down little shorter, re-threaded, and add some wrench flats to it because it currently does not have any. I have friends that have mill/lathe so the work is basically free to me but what is not free or I am not sure how to handle it is what to do with the barrel afterward. It is currently cerakoted and it will be very noticeable once the wrench flats are put into barrel.

I am not overly concerned with the finish, I guess I am just not a fan of bare metal, would rattle can over the metal be enough to protect it or doesn't it matter? If I was really concerned with the look I would send it off to get it re-painted and not sure the cost? I know I can get a turn key new 16in barrel from Mile High for 550$

Mods: I didn't think this was truly a gunsmith question I was thinking more of a brainstorming session or options. If you feel it should move it to the gunsmithing thread do so.

 

[FatBoy]

Guys have been spray painting bare stainless for 20+ years. I don't know how it will stick to ceracoat, it it should do fine on the stainless.

 

[BurnOut]

Eh, the barrel is stainless, so protection shouldn't be that much of a concern. I will say that regardless of what finish you go with, expect some marring around the wrench flats if you ever use... a, uh... wrench.

Honestly, if it was me, I'd probably get the whole barrel re-Cerakoted... I might be willing to take a rattle can to a cheap rifle, but for something like an AI... if it was mine, it would feel like a home-brew window tint job on a Ferrari.

 

[HairyDemon]

Eh, the barrel is stainless, so protection shouldn't be that much of a concern. I will say that regardless of what finish you go with, expect some marring around the wrench flats if you ever use... a, uh... wrench.

Honestly, if it was me, I'd probably get the whole barrel re-Cerakoted... I might be willing to take a rattle can to a cheap rifle, but for something like an AI... if it was mine, it would feel like a home-brew window tint job on a Ferrari.

Yeah, its new to me but a second hand rifle and I am very excited about it but 308 pipes come and go. Plus the shorter I cut it the less you can see under the hand guard if I really wanted to mess with it I could cut it to 16 and the wrench flats would be under the hand guard and rattle can probably work just fine.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

When I took the factory brake off my AX308 and replaced it with the TBAC CB there was an 1 1/2 inch of non-coated stainless left exposed so I just covered it with air dry Cerakote. Obviously I couldn't properly prep it as recommended but the color match is close/ live-able and the finish has held up well.................so far anyway.

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

Is there a reason you want to add wrench flats? With the quick lock the MC and new AXs have its not really needed.

 

[HairyDemon]

Is there a reason you want to add wrench flats? With the quick lock the MC and new AXs have its not really needed.

From what I hear from the other guys that have had their AXMCs for a while if you shoot with a barrel on for a while it will require more than just a hand to twist it out. In fact I had comments to this exact issue honestly with recommendations that I would want them if given choice.

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

From what I hear from the other guys that have had their AXMCs for a while if you shoot with a barrel on for a while it will require more than just a hand to twist it out. In fact I had comments to this exact issue honestly with recommendations that I would want them if given choice.

Thats fair enough. Ive never had a need on my AX and thought it was just so barrels could be sold for older non QL receivers.