Hydrodip vs. cerakote for polymer stock?

[Starslinger]

I want to dress up the plain black polymer stock of my Ruger PC Carbine. I think this will cost $300 to $500 and will probably lower the resale value of the rifle, so I'm giving this a lot of though before I do it. Cerakote is supposedly tougher and I'd like the finish to last for many years, but I'm not hard on my guns so maybe hydro dip is tough enough? I won't be fighting battles in deserts or swamps.

So far I like some of the wood grain hydrodip and the snakeskin hydrodip patterns. How fake does the wood grain hydrodip end up looking in real life? For cerakote I like the distressed burnt bronze or brighter brass patterns. The brass looks steampunk, which I like. I would appreciate any information/thoughts on this, including picture links if anyone has done these types of coatings to their rifles. Thanks!

[P5Ret]

If you don't think it's going to add anything other than making it look marginally better, why spend the money? The rifle is a shooter, it doesn't need to look pretty.

Spend the money to make it more functional and user friendly, with accessories that will actually add value to it. Midwest industries has an entire upgrade package for under $200 that will do more for the rifle than making it a different color would.

It's your money spend it how you want, but for me function over looks is pretty much an easy decision.

[Starslinger]

Thanks for the input, P5Ret. But for me, the PC Carbine already functions perfectly with a red dot and a flashlight on it. I don't need any other rails or upgrades. It's down to improving the look of it, and I have no interest in the new tactical looking stocks available for it. I would consider a wood stock, but apparently there's not enough interest for anyone to create a wood stock. And I checked, a custom wood stock would run about $1000, which is just way too much I think.

[tnlrat37]

https://www.mossyoakgraphics.com/camo-gun-skins

[enorbit3]

Are you in so cal? Where does one get hydrodrip done?

[Sputnik]

How perfect does it need to be? I dressed up my bad weather hunting rifle's plastic stock with a rattle can camo job and it's not terrible. I like it, personally

[DrewN]

Are you in so cal? Where does one get hydrodrip done?

I thought the appeal of hydrodip was that it was DIY and the actual application was pretty straightforward. The downside was the same as any other coating: it's only as good as your prep.

[Starslinger]

Thanks folks for the grip wrap idea and the other comments and photos.

[sbo80]

If you are looking at DIY, I would think the rattle can Duracoat options would be far easier than attempting a hydro dip. Check out their DuraMetl color set if you like the burnt bronze look. The whole kit comes with the spray, degreaser, clearcoat, for $80.