Why rattle can paint instead of Duracoat, et al.?

[jsbhike]

Cerakote, if done properly and using the correct spray gun, doesn't add that much at all. The target for the elite series I use is 1/2 Mil or .0005' which is less than the tolerance of most parts of the AR. Factor in the media blasting you are doing to create an adherence surface to the part and its probably overall less than even that measurement.

I've never used Duracoat, so can't speak to that one.

Duracoat goes on thick and requires a fair amount of attention to not build up internals too much.

The thickness(and not requiring heat to cure) makes it really good for polymer stocks though.

[TMS951]

Did you skip a prescribed thermal cure?

What ever I used did not require any thermal cure in the instructions.

Once cured it was in fact very durable. I did a four color camo scheme. So some of it was very thick, idk if that was part of the issue?

[jsbhike]

What ever I used did not require any thermal cure in the instructions.

Once cured it was in fact very durable. I did a four color camo scheme. So some of it was very thick, idk if that was part of the issue?

Aervoe? It seems very sensitive to humidity to me.

Alumahyde seems slightly less sensitive.

[TMS951]

Aervoe rings a bell, it’s pretty humid where I am so sounds about right.

[Disciple]

I think that's the other attraction to rattle can. Most of us can't throw our rifles in the oven and stay married.

A design for an inexpensive curing oven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vXdWEFz2Q8&t=604s

[shadowspirit]

Cerakote, if done properly and using the correct spray gun, doesn't add that much at all. The target for the elite series I use is 1/2 Mil or .0005' which is less than the tolerance of most parts of the AR. Factor in the media blasting you are doing to create an adherence surface to the part and its probably overall less than even that measurement.

I've never used Duracoat, so can't speak to that one.

If I'm not mistaken, Duracoat is easier to apply. They even have the rattle can version of it.

[lysander]

Duracoat aerosol paint = $70 per can

Hardware store aerosol paint = $5 per can

It shouldn't take a genius to see why one is chosen over the other.

[ViniVidivici]

Because spray paint is cheap, easy, and effective.

First post nailed it.

[markm]

And to add to that..... the more it wears down the more effective the camo is.

This. As some black bleeds through, it improves the camo and matches natural surroundings better.

[hotrodder636]

Duracoat aerosol paint = $70 per can

Hardware store aerosol paint = $5 per can

It shouldn't take a genius to see why one is chosen over the other.

Yes, duracoat is pretty easy to spray. You can get it with a Preval spray kit, works pretty much like an aerosol can. It surely does cost more, but IMO it is significantly more durable than spray paint, not surprisingly.