Gunsmithing how to duracoat a scope and rings

vizsla3

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Minuteman
Jan 27, 2011
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starting an AR build and have never painted a scope before, I am looking for tips on how protect areas I dont want painted what to use,how to get it off ect. I tried to find this by using 'search' but came up empty.
 
Re: how to duracoat a scope and rings

I put heavy grease on surfaces I don't want painted. Paint and then wipe the grease off after the paint dries. Not sure how that would work on the lenses though, lol. I'd probably grease the inside of the rings too, or anywhere you don't want paint sticking.
 
Re: how to duracoat a scope and rings

If you paint the turret caps, be sure to back them off a quarter turn before you paint and make sure before paint is completely cured to turn them off enough to make sure the paint is not sticking between the cap and the scope.
 
Re: how to duracoat a scope and rings

And don't use a sandblaster to prep the scope for painting (not that <span style="font-style: italic">most</span> people would consider doing so).
 
Re: how to duracoat a scope and rings

You could use Scotchbrite pads to scuff up the scope and rings. They are available in various grades of abrasiveness. I plan to Duracoat my scope and rings soon, and that is what I'll be using to rough them up with. I know Lowe's sells them in the paint department.
Go to an automotive paint supply store, and pick up some 3M paint tape. It's lime green in color, comes in a wide variety of widths, and works much better than the paint tape sold at home improvement stores.
 
Re: how to duracoat a scope and rings

I recently DuraCoated my Mini ACOG that I have on my SBR. For the Occular lense I took a piece of masking take that was about a quarter inch wider in diameter then the lense and stuck it to the lense housing. For the objective lense the glass sits back a little ways in the housing so I used multiple pieces of masking tape on the inside. I then stuffed that with cotton balls. Imagine a blue ice cream waffle cone with cotton ball ice cream (bad analagy but all I could come up with). Hope this helps
 
Re: how to duracoat a scope and rings

The cotton ball idea is good but make sure which ever degreaser you use try and apply with a q tip or small sponge brush. Don't want to spray everywhere and risk the chance of breaching your protective tapes. Also use a razor to cut tape so you can see your numbers and scope adjustments. Paint can get thick and moving parts have to move.