I’m looking to get a camo finish on an AR…Either Multicam or Woodland Digital. I am basically trying to decide between a CeraKote finish by Larsen Tactical, or a Water Transfer finish by Lakota Industries.
Does anyone have experience with these two different types of finishes or with both that could comment on their durability/resistance to chemicals & heat?
I know that most big Gun Manufacturers use the Water Transfer Printing as a means to Camo their products, but I’m not sure how this type of finish holds up with use. Would the CeraKote be a tougher finish?
Steven Morrison, 1911 smith, uses Cerakote on his products. It’s a very durable finish. We ordered some main spring housings from Steve in Cerakote and I am impressed with the durability.
I don’t really want to do it myself cause I think there is a good chance I would screw it up, and I wasn’t under the impression that Krylon was very durable.
the water transfer finish is a cosmetic one, and not to be considered as a protective one. it’s likened to a clearcoated automobile exterior finish, since they use the same acrylic clearcoat to protect it.
I have a couple of Remington shotguns with water transfer finishes. They seem to hold up well as long as the finished isn’t compromised anywhere. Seems like once you do cut or wear through the finish anywhere, it is easy to wear the finish out from that location on.
Regarding Krylon. It isn’t the most durable, but it is super easy to touch up, and somewhat easy to remove if you do mess up.
Thanks for the replies. I kind of had a feeling the Water Transfer Printing wouldn’t be too terribly tough. It looks great but I really want it to protect and hold up to wear well.
Larsen Tactical seems to do very nice jobs with the CeraKote so that’s probably the direction I’ll go. It will cost a bit, but I think it will hold up the best, and undoubtedly look nicer than what I could do myself.
Sorry not really any updates…I’ve been dragging my feet on this camo job while I’ve been working on some different gun projects.
I have decided to go with the Cerakote finish through L.T.M. over the Water transfer whenever I get around to it. I’ve done a lot of research since my first posts and I’m confident that Cerakote will prove to be about the best paint-type finish I could get as far as durability is concerned.
I’ll put up some pictures whenever I get around to finishing a rifle with this. All I’m trying to decide on is whether to finish my Noveske, or MRP =O)
Water transfer of a camo pattern, like Crye Multicam, will require a base coat of tan or light green. One way or another, if you want a camo finish the rifle is getting painted.