DURACOATing the AK-47

[strat81]

Nice!
Be sure to mail a picture to CNN and Hizzoner Bloomberg.

 

[Schofield3]

That came out really sharp, you took your time and did quality work, nice job-

 

[pgeleven]

Shoulda ditched that tapco folder first though!

honestly it holds up quite well. i know its not a favorite amongst the majority, but its nicer than the splinter-giver that it replaced. the fore-end is sharp looking but the top part that clips in it cheap, a little late to worry about a replacement now

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

pgeleven, that's a sharp looking rifle!

 

[AndyC]

Very nice work there - hope it holds up.

 

[pgeleven]

camo colors - ACU Green/Grey, Underbrush, German Olive Grey, Combat Black.
all paints were purchased from Midwayusa.com (my favorite site next to opticsplanet). For the record, DO NOT buy the airspray kit they offer, its the cheapest thing you will ever get your hands on and poorly constructed. Take the time to use an airbrush or PREVAL sprayer ($6 average cost for PREVAL)
This experiment proved that ANYONE with minimal experience in paint can do the same thing i did. Your only limit is your imagination...

 

[MudPuppy]

Thanks again for sharing--can you do a 100,000 mile review on it too? (How's it handle field dings and cleaning solutions, etc--oh, does the selector scrape through or scratch the side when moving from safe to fire?)

It really looks great.

 

[s&w 24]

looking sharp!!

 

[pgeleven]

does the selector scrape through or scratch the side when moving from safe to fire

as expected, yes it does. i had a hunch in advance that this would be a factor but its an acceptable one for me. I plan to clean the outside with nylon brushes only, and now that its not bare metal anymore i wont worry about solvents on the exterior, however if i get any spillage that causes the paint to degrade i will push the info forward. stay tuned

 

[Quickill]

Very nice!

I'm curious what did you prep the surface of the rifle with? Was it just brake clean or did you use some sort of scuff pad, both?

Once again great job!

 

[Slvr Surfr]

That looks KICK A$$. Good Job! Let us know when you are taking orders

 

[pgeleven]

I'm curious what did you prep the surface of the rifle with? Was it just brake clean or did you use some sort of scuff pad, both?

just brake cleaner. i suppose i could have sanded or blasted it but the surface (except the polymer furniture) seemed porous enough to test out without any further work. it went on quick and easy, we will see if it lasts

 

[transformerguru]

Looks good!!!

 

[pgeleven]

HI RES pics finally up

 

[LongRangeInternational]

Are any other jarheads chuckling over this guy's screen name?

 

[pgeleven]

Are any other jarheads chuckling over this guy's screen name?

you know, i picked that screen name when i bought my first computer in 98, one year into my first enlistment with the USMC. in 7 years active duty USMC (hollywood, ground side) i never got a page 11 entry, so i suppose i didn't live a full life. thats really bada$$ you guys picked up on that though.

 

[okiewita40]

That is a sharp looking AK. I have thought about maybe duracoating my Mossy 500. I just can't justify it to myself yet though.

 

[pgeleven]

I have thought about maybe duracoating my Mossy 500. I just can't justify it to myself yet though.

go for it. if its a 500 you havent much to lose if you foul it up. now if it was a BENELLI, i would recommend holding off on that plan

 

[armoredman]

Sorry, ex-squid, whats a page eleven entry?
Sweet rifle, sir.

 

[pgeleven]

Sorry, ex-squid, whats a page eleven entry?

your 'adverse' side of your career. any article 15's or NJP entries into your redord book. your version of documented captains mast. a little OT, my apologies

 

[aloharover]

as expected, yes it does. i had a hunch in advance that this would be a factor but its an acceptable one for me.

How long did you wait between last coat of paint and reassembly?
I have not had any issues on the selectors when the receiver was left alone for 4 weeks.
I know its hard to wait, but it really does affect how well the DC stands up to abuse.
I have a very cheep, loose 1911 that I did the rails and everything. 500rds and its holding up great.

Pete

 

[pgeleven]

How long did you wait between last coat of paint and reassembly?

youre very right, it was hard to wait. i estimate i only let the final coat (black) sit about 10-11 hours before i slapped it back together, but the other colors had been sitting since january.

 

[Cromlech]

I really love that. Makes me want to buy something just to duracoat it. Of course, over here in Blighty, I would probably have to make do with a replica...

 

[pgeleven]

i tried to save some of the unused paint in the preval jars (already mixed with reducer and hardener) it dried up over the past month and has the consistency of hardened rubber cement

 

[pgeleven]

so far its holding up without incident to MIL-COMM TW25B, ive been using a white rag to check for color rub-off. nothing yet