I talked with the guy from arma coat at the Calgary gun show and I am really thinking about using armacoat on a couple of my project guns. My question is how best to prep the parts . armacoat recommends sand blasting with aluminum oxide in 80-120 grit but I don't have sandblasting equipment at home so I am limited to renting time somewhere like consolidated compressor to blast guns and they only have 80 grit garnet and glass beads in their cabinets. One of the guns I want to refinish is a winchester pump with some pitting on the barrel. Anyone have any tips or suggestions on the two blast media mentioned? Or suggestions of where I could get the parts blasted with the recommended aluminum oxide? I prefer to do it myself if possible to save money as this shotgun is a beater and I'm on a budget. I'm in Calgary if that helps
Bead blast vs sand blast before armacoat?
- Thread starter Red Beard Forge
- Start date
I've done a couple rifles in arma coat. They came out really good, better than I expected.
I already had a bench top sandblaster so I went with the 120 alum oxide. Compared to to 80 garnet I use for other stuff ( rusty, painted rims, quad parts), the oxide gives a better "etched" surface then the garnet. I'm no expert, but probably helps the paint bond better. But the AO sure is expensive and hard to find. Had to order it direct from Manis Abrasives.
I already had a bench top sandblaster so I went with the 120 alum oxide. Compared to to 80 garnet I use for other stuff ( rusty, painted rims, quad parts), the oxide gives a better "etched" surface then the garnet. I'm no expert, but probably helps the paint bond better. But the AO sure is expensive and hard to find. Had to order it direct from Manis Abrasives.
gstprecision
Regular
- Location
- Frankford, On
Definitely sand blast, preferably Aluminum oxide 80-120 grit. As Double Gun stated you need a rough surface with a texture the ArmaCoat can adhere to.
GST
GST
Garnet is fine and is what I use exclusively. 80 grit at the sandblast rental place has probably worn down to 100 or 120 anyways. Start with the gun farther away and you can move it closer as desired. Make sure the pressure is not over 90 psi. The most important thing is never blast at a 90 degree angle to the work surface. You can get an over blasted surface that way. Hold the gun at an angle.
Dragon-Rifles
New member
- Location
- Quesnel BC
There is some risk of oils or grease in the rental blasters media, so save yourself some heartache and degrease after with a no residue "brakleen".
I didn't end up arma coating this one but I may in the future ... for now it just has bake on engine enamel and krylon for the wood work
what it looked like just before sandblasting
I sandblasted then degreased with brake clean and painted with duplicolor engine enamel in cummins beige which was then baked for 2 hrs at 300 as per the can the wood was painted with krylon camp green combo paint and primer. The magpul handstop is attached with three threaded steel inserts epoxied into the forearm
what it looked like just before sandblasting
I sandblasted then degreased with brake clean and painted with duplicolor engine enamel in cummins beige which was then baked for 2 hrs at 300 as per the can the wood was painted with krylon camp green combo paint and primer. The magpul handstop is attached with three threaded steel inserts epoxied into the forearm
