Painting stainless steel

[Ignacio49]

Will stainless steel maintain its properties (stain less - being more resistant to rust than steel) if painted with cerakote or duracoat?

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Wouldn't make a difference. Just a waste of a coating.

 

[GLV]

Unless you want a color other than the stainless. I have one painted a dark gray.

 

[Rule3]

Yes, it will still be stainless steel and retain it's properties. Lots of guns are stainless with some space age coating over the top.

The good finishes like you mentioned will further protect the steel.

 

[BigBill]

I haven't tried it on handguns yet but on the rifles with worn parkerized finishes I have touched them up with brownell's Aluma-Hyde II. I think that the preperation is the most important thing when it comes to using the paint. Plus i preheat the metal once its free from all oils and greases. Then its one even thin coat per application.
I believe the aluma hyde II is epoxy paint.

 

[Ignacio49]

Unless you want a color other than the stainless......

That's the reason. I want a dark color for concealed carry.

 

[hotrod150]

Is there a process for blackening stainless, similar (in concept anyways) to blueing carbon steel?

 

[TAROMAN]

Melonite, Isonite and similar carburizing treatments immediately come to mind.

 

[4barrel]

Soak the parts on a hotplate in carburetor cleaner overnight that you wish to be darker. Wash off in hot water & blowdry. Do not put any coating other than oil on it. Unless it has a bad finish to start with I would leave it alone.

 

[Ignacio49]

Soak the parts on a hotplate in carburetor cleaner overnight that you wish to be darker. Wash off in hot water & blowdry. Do not put any coating other than oil on it. Unless it has a bad finish to start with I would leave it alone.

Will that work also with aluminum? It is a Taurus 85UL, with stainless steel cylinder and barrel, and aluminum frame.

 

[S&Wman]

Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black can work pretty good on aluminum:
Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black Metal Touch Up