Painting a SS Barrel

[Gambler]

I've been doing tons of searching on this and just can't find any real good answers. I have a new shiny SS barrel for my AR-15 that I want to paint flat black. I would ideally like a paint that air cures.

What I've learned:
Rough up the surface slightly
Degrease
Degrease
Degrease
Paint

The paint itself is what I've been having trouble finding. I need suggestions on something that will not flake off, handle the heat of the barrel, and not come off with cleaners. I bought some Rustoleum BBQ paint, then read that it doesn't stay on very well.

Budget: $50 shipped

 

[R1Peacock]

Check out John Norrell Arms. They have a MolyResin product and can do the entire rifle or just the barrel in just about any color (especially Magpul specific colors). Barrel refinishing looks to be within your budget. John Norrell has a solid reputation......

For more information and specific pricing click on the "Refinishing Services Tab". Barrels only looks to be $20-$40 plus shipping.

http://www.johnnorrellarms.com/default.asp

RP

 

[Gambler]

Wow, that sounds just about perfect, I'll shoot them an email. Thanks!

 

[Eddie Van]

The other way to go is using a black oxide coating (i.e. bluing). Stainless takes well to bluing and will likely produce a matte black finish. The barrel will still need prep like painting, but the finish will be cheaper and more durable.

 

[hvymax]

A small $15 sandblaster will give a nice texture.

 

[Gambler]

The other way to go is using a black oxide coating (i.e. bluing). Stainless takes well to bluing and will likely produce a matte black finish. The barrel will still need prep like painting, but the finish will be cheaper and more durable.

Did some reading/youtubing and I think this is the route I'm going to go, the barrel is so nice looking I hated to have to paint it, but it sounds like that is actually an advantage to bluing. This wasn't even on my radar, thanks!

 

[Biggfoot44]

Or to go devil's advocate, use BBQ paint. So what if it wears , it's cheap. Touch it up again, repeat.

 

[Gambler]

So apparently you can't cold blue a stainless barrel...learned the hard way unfortunately...

 

[mch28]

This is what I ended up doing. It will still be shiny unless you bead blast first. I may redo it later and put it in the blast cabinet first to dull it some. But it turned out well.

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=95004

 

[Gambler]

I'm about to give up, so lets take a vote, blacken it, or leave it be.

 

[wesser1]

Blacken, it will match better.

 

[Pmbspyder]

Blacken it for sure.

 

[Stevie Boy]

Time for a poll!

I like the stainless look.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

Black.. It would match better in my opinion.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Stratman60]

Black

 

[razorV23]

I wasn't sure what to do with my stainless barrel, so it's wearing Krylon for now.
If I bead blast it, do I still have to paint it?

 

[Ringmaster]

Leave it be. It looks classy. Tell people it's a AR15 INOX.

 

[Gambler]

Well, here is the final product.

 

[Vile Shadow]

Not bad.

I just hope it sticks.

 

[Pmbspyder]

Looks sick with the black barrel! What'd you end up using?