Duracoat 442

[glwt06]

My unemployed state has left me with some extra time. A good friend of mine is a mechanical engineer and has started a small business building precision rifles, gunsmithing and Duracoat finishing.

His day job has him traveling out of state a lot and he has asked me if I would help out before he falls behind. He has me doing some disassembly, degreasing and sandblasting. I have also been doing some painting. Since I don't have any experience painting, he won't let me near any customer guns............

So here's my first try with a firearm using my 442. I used Desert Sand for color and left the cylinder, screws and latch in the original finish.

I wasn't convinced about the duracoat, but it seems to be very tough and it looks good.

 

[Fchewy]

Looks good!

 

[CWH44300]

I like the two tone look, I was also wondering about the durability of that type of finish, do you think it will hold up?

 

[glwt06]

I was very skeptical of paint. One week of curing and I carried it for a day with a small amount of loose change in my front pocket for a test. No scratches. The only place that has scratched is the breechface where the cylinder lock slides shut.

 

[Electraclyde]

Looks good. What are costs to have a frame only (J-frame done?)
I have one that is scratched up pretty good from being dropped and skidding along a cement floor? Where in Michigan are you?

 

[C Islander]

Got to be honest. I don't like it. The color that is, nothing against Duracoating.

 

[glwt06]

Got to be honest. I don't like it. The color that is, nothing against Duracoating.

Actually, it wasn't the perfect choice of color for me either. But, it was a practice shot and I was using left over color from another job. The duracoat is pretty expensive to practice with so I use surplus stuff that's getting ready to expire.

 

[opr1945]

Is this the same duracoat I get at the hardware store in aerosal cans?

 

[glwt06]

I don't think so. I mean, it might be the same formula. It's a two part color / hardner paint shot with an air brush. It requires a bit of prep before hand. I like it, but it is definitely not very traditional and not for everyone.

 

[hotrod150]

Interesting that you didn't duracoat the cylinder. I have 3 vintage blued Chiefs, and all three of them had nicked, freckled, or otherwise beat-up d blueing on the cylinders. I beadblasted & oxpho-blued the cylinders for a matte finish, but duracoat woulda been a good way to go.
Was the frame & barrel of your 442 scarfed up, or did you just want a different look? I also own a 442-2 & the factory matte black finish on it seems pretty durable.

 

[glwt06]

The cylinder and barrel were in decent shape. The frame wasn't bad, it had a couple of bright spots. The cylinder was in good enough shape to leave and I thought the contrast would look good. With the light color I used, I thought it might be too much to do the whole thing.

 

[LOBO]

Looks good!!

I had this 442 Dura-Coted about 10 years ago, and it has held up just fine.

 

[glwt06]

Looks good!!

I had this 442 Dura-Coted about 10 years ago, and it has held up just fine.

LOBO, did you have the cylinder refinished? The turn line looks like it has held up well.

 

[bshaw52]

It's a two part epoxy, if you prep it properly and allow the required cure time it is almost indestructible. I've done several rifles with it and the only problem, I've had, is the muzzle blast eroding the paint off the crown.

 

[hotrod150]

Lobo, from the S&W logo I'm guessing that the sideplate on your duracoated 442 still has the factory finish on it. Or did you detail it after duracoating? Either way, it looks good.