AR15 Refinishing Discussion Thread

[Tee-Bruce]

Thanx Stick!

[GriffonSec]

Looks good. The SGW A1 I just picked up is a candidate for this, and I've been reading up on it most of the morning. I actually found an old thread from 04-05 that had a 1911 Stickman did...

My only thing is prep. While there's nothing terrible on either, there's just a couple of small knicks around both sides of the mag release, and the edges of the magwell. I know they say no media blasting, so I'm guessing maybe high grit emery board? I've got a small air compressor and air brush that I've used form motorcycle parts, looks like I'll be doing refinishing on the guns now too. These threads have talked me into it.

[GriffonSec]

Ok, Found a neat little tool for abrasive blasting, and easily controlable to avoid the pin hole areas. Tha Paasche Air Eraser kit.

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discou...ccessories.htm

I figured since I had an airbrush compressor this would work out perfect. It comes with a 1/4 in connector, so I found that it works best off a standard air compressor. Between 30 and 45 lbs of pressure it roughs the finish without removal, and 60-80 will takes it off with focused effort. I had several high spots I wanted to pay special attention to, and some homegrown texturing that needed to be smoothed. I also wanted to have the logo and lettering show a bit better after refinishing so I did some pointed areas there also. Overall, a handy tool, and if you have small projects aside from weapons refinishing (this will come in handy on the sporty) a worthwhile investment.

My SGW lower, ready to go to Orion for SBR marking -

[Stickman]

On a anodized surface, there is no need to abrasive blast. If there was a teflon finish applied over the top, it might be a different story.

[Thomas M-4]

Stickman will Norrells Moly work good on a bolt carrier would it reduce friction any?

[kanaka]

Very informitive post Mr.Stick! Thanks!
Now if I ever get nit-picky about an upper & lower that don't have similar finishes, I know there is an easy affordable fix even a barney like me can rock.

[Stickman]

Stickman will Norrells Moly work good on a bolt carrier would it reduce friction any?

I've done it, and it doesn't seem to make a big difference, if any.

[Thomas M-4]

Gotcha thanks one last thing does it seem to wear normal.

[Stickman]

Norrells wears very well, or I would not have bothered doing the writeup.

[geewiz]

Hi

I have a sdi 16" ss barrel that was suppose to have a duracoat finish on it that I paid some one to add on when I had this rifle built. Well the stuff is just falling off and I really doubt its duracoat. I would like to refinish this barrel. Does norrel or cerakote work with stainless steal? Since purchasing this rifle I've learned much more about ar's to where I'm pretty good about rebuilding them but I don't have refinishing experince. I was looking at doing it myself since I have airbrushs and the tools but the supplies and time I don't have. So any recommendations on who I could trust to have this done right would be great.

Oh I almost had someone bead blast it for me so thanks for posting the info on bead blasting slickness

Thanks

[Stickman]

If you abrasive/ sand blasted the barrel, Norrells would adhere without any problem.

[GriffonSec]

It's been a bit, but I finally got around to refinishing both the SGW A-1, and my Para P-13 with Norrell's.

Before:



After:



My carry gun, ParaOrdnance P-13:









I used two different spray guns between the AR and the .45. The one for the AR was more of a detail gun, which laid it fairly thin. Switched to the Badger Hobby gun, much more flow and threw me off a bit, hence the few foil marks in the finish around the mag release button.

Overall, I love the Norrell's.

[ColdDeadHands]

so how is the finish of the project AR holding up Stick?

[Stickman]

Its not getting anywhere near the abuse it should be to be honest.

However, the duty carbine that I refinished 5 years ago has held up fantastic, and that was a weapon that I beat the dog snot out of. It has been handed over to a friend/ squad member, and he now carries it as his duty weapon.

[ColdDeadHands]

Good deal. Can you recommend a good product to coat a SS barrel w/o backing it?