Can I Repair A Hard Coat Anodized Gun?

What'south the right gun coating for your firearm? There are several factors to consider. Check out the different types of gun blanket below to help you lot decide.

Gun Coating Guide for Gun Owners

Your gun is an investment – not only because it's an invaluable self-defence tool, but because firearms generally hold their value for a rather long fourth dimension (provided you lot accept proper care of it, of course).

But nosotros sometimes forget that dissimilar types of gun coatings are better suited for helping you protect your firearm based on your application.

So today, we're taking a look at the different types of gun coating to help you selection the right one to match your lifestyle.

1. Anodizing

Anodizing | A Guide To Different Types Of Gun Coating

An anodized gun blanket is easily i of the best options available.

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This item finish produces a robust hardness that's pretty much second simply diamonds!

Anodizing requires initiating an electrochemical procedure that helps to protect steel against corrosion.

The only downside to anodizing a firearm (if you're non the manufacturer) is the fact it causes treated parts to "swell" slightly.

This small size increase does mean adjustments are going to be necessary to ensure your firearm can role properly.

But anodized steel is also fairly porous, which allows it to hold paint much better.

You'll typically discover that firearms (and/or individual parts and accessories) are anodized earlier having a spray-on glaze applied.

The major benefit this provides is that the spray-on coat (typically coloring) can be selected with protection in mind.

This can reduce the need to semi-constantly oil your firearm, which is the major downfall of the side by side gun coating type…

2. Bluing

Ane of the more traditional ways to protect firearms from corrosion and reduce glare is bluing the steel.

This is done by initiating the electrochemical reaction to plough the iron to blackness oxide.

Although gun bluing already gives the treated steel some protection confronting corrosion, you lot'll still need to oil your firearm regularly to forbid rusting.

Merely there are multiple positives that outweigh that slight inconvenience.

For example, bluing is one of the cheaper types of gun blanket bachelor, making it a financially viable option for those who aren't averse to keeping an oil rag at hand.

It also preserves your firearm'south dimensions, and so your firearm'southward parts won't demand to accommodate any slight increase.

Bluing tin can also be achieved via a variety of different methods, which allows for some cosmetic flexibility.

However, you should exist aware that common cold bluing (while producing an attractive night greyness) is best used for smaller touch on-ups, while hot bluing (which produces the titular bluing stop) is generally more robust.

3. Cerakote Blanket

If you notice yourself favoring anodized firearms, information technology's worth investing in a spray-on gun blanket to take full advantage of the porosity.

The three major brand names when information technology comes to spray-on gun blanket are Cerakote, DuraCoat, and KG Gunkote.

While they're all fairly similar, they do differ in composition and hardiness.

If you have the luxury of choosing your spray-on coat, aim for Cerakote.

While DuraCoat passes 300-hour salt exposure tests and KG Gunkote was specifically designed to withstand a 500-hour common salt exposure test, Cerakote stands caput-and-shoulders above both of them.

As a polymer-ceramic composite, Cerakote offers excellent corrosion protection and exceeds 550-hr salt solution exposure testing.

This puts it way in a higher place the military'due south minimal standards.

But it's also 1 of the well-nigh durable gun coatings known to man – so much so that many firearms dealers will offer lifetime workmanship warranties against cracking and peeling!

Plus, if aesthetics are important (whether for corrective or functional purposes), y'all'll be glad to know that Cerakote is easily customized in a myriad of color options.

Perhaps the biggest downfall to whatsoever kind of spray-on gun blanket is the expense and the fact gun function dimensions practise increase slightly.

four. Nickel Boron

Nickel boron is a low-friction chemic gun coating type with a (typically) more uniform finish than methods like bluing or Parkerizing can offer.

Part of the reason for that is the fact information technology doesn't require any electrochemical reactions!

Firearm components that are particularly intricate, such equally commodities carrier groups, almost always undergo nickel boron treatment equally the blanket diffuses heat very well.

The cost does tend to confine its use to such parts, as does the fact it creates a very reflective surface that can cause a distraction through glare (non to mention how much harder it'll be to go on clean).

5. Nitride Coating

Another type of gun blanket that'southward specially popular for internal components is the nitride coating.

There are more often than not two types: Ferritic Nitrocarburizing and "Queen Polish Quench."

You lot might be more familiar with the latter through names such as Melonite, Tenifer, or Tufftride.

Nitride coating is a wholly surface transformation treatment that results in a difficult, incredibly vesture-resistant finish with relatively decent lubricity.

There are besides no dimensional changes, so manufacturers can easily produce parts to exist treated with a nitride blanket and not have to worry nearly making size adjustments after down the production line.

6. Parkerizing

Parkerizing is one of the traditional alternatives to gun bluing.

The chemical phosphate conversion blanket results in a dark gray to black end with anti-cogitating properties and well-nigh no increase in dimensions.

Even though it'southward technically more effective at providing corrosion resistance than bluing (however slightly), a Parkerized gun coating requires fifty-fifty more frequent oiling.

7. PVD/CVD Coating

Last, but not to the lowest degree, we have the result of a vapor degradation process: PVD or CVD coatings.

The two are similar enough for both to be easily explained under the aforementioned heading.

Ultimately, the biggest advantage of a PVD or CVD gun coating offers is their high wear-resistance rating despite existence such a micro-thin surface.

This item finish is also known for great lubricity.

On the more artful side, PVD and CVD gun coatings also allow for some color customization.

Pick What Works for You lot

At the end of the day, the biggest deciding factors in your choice of gun blanket are likely to be storage and usage weather (how likely are corrosion and friction?), the level of maintenance you're willing to put up with, and whether you have any colour preferences.

Overall, the most versatile option is ever going to be a hardy Cerakote spray-on gun coating.

It'due south especially ideal for firearm owners who wait to experience a wider range of environmental conditions… likewise as those who have specific coloring requirements, whether for role or aesthetics.

Every bit e'er, the key is to call back that your selection needs to piece of work for you!

Is there a gun coating that you're leaning to? We'd love to know why in the comments department!

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