DIY Duracoat experience

[tbombaci]

Long story short, I ended up with another AR15 80% lower. I decided to give the DIY duracoat a spin.

I picked up the $29 kit from Brownells in matte black. Comes with cleaner, a scrubbing pad, the hardner, duracoat and an aerosol spray can.

Overall, a fairly simple process. As with any painting, preparation of the part or surface is essential. I cleaned the lower really well with the provided can of cleaner. I did miss a spot on the top of the lower where the buffer tube screws into. You can see on the first coat a small spot. I managed to cover the imperfection with the two additional coats.

If I can stress one thing it's take your time and do NOT spray it on thick. I had a spot near the trigger where the duracoat collected and made a drip mark - thin coats are the key.

The first coat will look terrible in terms of appearance. I let the lower dry for about 10 minutes between coats.

BTW, that is a plastic chain

Its not perfect but I am happy with the results. The next one will be even better! I also applied duracoat to two GI mags and still had half the bottle left over.


Cleaned and ready to go



After the first coat.

[tbombaci]

Here are a few close up shots:







Here is a shot of the top where the imperfection was on the first coat



Here is a close up where the Duracoat pooled a bit when sprayed on too thick (edge by the front of the trigger area right underneath the back of the mag release)

[LCU1670]

Looks good.

[Sam .223]

i did my 80% in FDE, i ended up with something like 8 coats total, 5 color and 3 clear, it looks pretty good, i also blasted the receiver with a at home kit and some material i got from the place i bought the duracoat at, the name is slipping my memory at the moment.

[SNCaliber]

that looks great for a DIY job

[watevers1]

looks good! gives me some confidence in doing my own duracoat DIY

[tbombaci]

Thanks! I was a bit nervous at first not being familiar with the aerosol can that comes with the kit. I am thinking I will allow it to cure until Saturday before I add the parts kit. In hindsight, I should have stripped the upper and coated it as well. The kit has enough Duracoat to coat 10 uppers and lowers, my hand truck, all my mags, my car.....seemed like a waste not to use it before it hardened in the jar. I think down the road, I am going to coat this rifle with the platinum color or possibly blue.

Tom

[tbombaci]

Finished the build today. I completed the upper a few months ago and have been using it on my other AR at the range. It finally has a permanent home!

Looking forward to dialing this in tomorrow.



Tom

[FalseProfit]

looks great. thanks for the post. I may do that myself.

[tanakasan]

Looks great!

I see that you said hardener. Do you have to bake this also?

Robert

[tbombaci]

Looks great!

I see that you said hardener. Do you have to bake this also?

Robert

No baking required. Clean, spray, hang dry.

Here is the kit I ordered.

Tom

[NorCalXJ]

Might give this a try.

[beenawhile]

Finished the build today. I completed the upper a few months ago and have been using it on my other AR at the range. It finally has a permanent home!

Looking forward to dialing this in tomorrow.



Tom

Looks great but your rear sight is on backwards

[tbombaci]

Looks great but your rear sight is on backwards

Thanks.

Funny how I read all the posts where guys show their rifles and think "dumbass, your sight is on backwards" heh, look what I go and do!

[beenawhile]

Happened to me !