Barrel coating

Spekter

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I picked up an AR barrel sometime back in the raw and getting around to building now. Ive seen where high temp paint can be used, and other coatings like cerakote, etc.

I happen to have some bluing from a different project. Would there be any reason to not use bluing on the barrel? Will it last or need regular upkeep?
 
I’ve sprayed a few AR barrels with the “bake” Cerakote and it’s held up perfectly, a friend of mine got a raw gun show AR barrel and decided he wanted it black and he scored the barrel with scotch bright pads and used “High temp” engine/header paint and other than his lack of prep work the paint itself seems to be fine, had he blasted the Barrel properly I think the paint would have held up a little better but truth be told, regular spray paint out of a can isn’t going to be very rugged and will scratch off with use.

More to your question, the actual “bluing” process requires specific equipment and chemicals, “cold” bluing (from my extremely limited knowledge) isn’t all that great and will end up blotchy doing an entire barrel, that stuff is from what I understand for touch up work, again I have limited knowledge of the actual bluing process & DIY bluing but I’d recommend having a Cerakote shop do it, it shouldn’t run more than $50.
 
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Cold bluing can look good. Not sure how different alloys of steel take it.
It is typically less durable than hot bluing, and hot bluing is not known for it's durability. It will need to be oiled/waxed/something fairly regular.
It would be fairly unique. I'd probably go with Cerakote.
 
I’ve got a 6.8 barrel from Bison Armory that I ordered Cerakoted FDE. This will be my 5th year hunting with it, and the Cerakote has held up well. It’s been carried on my four wheeler racks, and bumped around in my box blinds without a major scratch.
 
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