DuraCoat

[kansas_volunteer]

Brownell's Alumahyde II is probably as good as Duracoat, but doesn't come in muzzleloader colors. The flat black might work on a rifle intended to be an experiment rather than kept authentic. I used it on a 22 I've had since 1962. I'll be using it on other projects coming up. It's good stuff. It's best applied in hot weather which we have plenty of right now.

One of the experiments I keep telling myself to try is first lap a barrel super smooth. Have it nitrided inside and out to minimize wear and protect from rust, then use Duracote brown to finish it. I know, I know 'taint traditional but I'm curious how it might work on a rifle too ordinary to be worth much.

 

[brassell31]

No not shiny, between flat and gloss. I just meant that it appears very smooth and even when applied properly. As a point of interest, a hunting buddy saw my son and I walking across a clearcut in the sun one season. My son's blued Renegade and my traditional browned barrel both reflected sunlight off the barrels equally to his eye, enough that he commented on it back at camp. I would use it again on a modern firearm, and have, though I like Cerakote for it's better durabilty, and it is available in truly flat colors. I've only used the oven cure, but it is available in air cure. I only use it for my modern suppository rifles and handguns now, but it's a great choice for a non traditional finish.

 

[coloradoclyde]

By "automotive finish", do you mean it's shiny?

Automotive paint can be made flat by adding flattener to it.