Barrel finish recommendations

[Doc Holliday]

I have an unfinished barrel that needs a finish on it. Local gunsmith does not cerakote

Would like something flat/matte in a color similar to brushed stainless steel

Any recommendations that are simple for someone who has never refinished a barrel?

 

[dieselchessy]

Is it a chromoly or stainless barrel? In the white?

I’d expect you’d want a chromoly barrel treated before applying a paint. Phosphate or similar treatment.

I often use Brownell’s Aluma-Hyde for painting guns, but I’ve never painted untreated chromoly steel so couldn’t say how it would perform in that situation.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Is it a chromoly or stainless barrel? In the white?

I’d expect you’d want a chromoly barrel treated before applying a paint. Phosphate or similar treatment.

I often use Brownell’s Aluma-Hyde for painting guns, but I’ve never painted untreated chromoly steel so couldn’t say how it would perform in that situation.

"constructed from unfinished polished steel that can be Cerakote finished or blued to meet your needs"

 

[BBob]

"constructed from unfinished polished steel that can be Cerakote finished or blued to meet your needs"

If it can be blued it’s chromoly.

 

[Doc Holliday]

If it can be blued it’s chromoly.

Would the paint not stick to it? What would I need, a primer first?

 

[dieselchessy]

At a minimum a professional would sand blast first to give some bite for the coating to grab onto.
After that they may parkerize (phosphate) coat the metal and then paint it, or just paint it.

If your doing it yourself, with a paint product, you'd want to prep the surface similarly to allow the paint to adhere well. I wouldn't expect paint to adhere well to polished steel.

 

[30338]

I'd degrease it well with rubbing alcohol or even dawn dish soap. Rinse very well. Then I'd apply 3-4 very thin coats. If it looks the way you want, then top it off with some matte exterior varnish. I've done several that way and after time it may get bruised or scratched off. Just sand it a bit and recoat.

I just sent one off to Birdsong to have them matte black coat. Its a great finish but you may not want to mess with shipping. Here are their colors.

 

[Rob5589]

Being that barrels are disposable I prefer something simple and cheap like Krylon or Rust-Oleum camo paints. Degrease well and spray. Pretty durable and easy to touch up. May not have the color you're looking for, however.