re-finishing aluminum advice please

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thejamie

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Hi. I found an old ithica lever.22 that needs a Face lift. All the internals seem like it was never fired but the outside was rusted up a bit. I preped it all and was going to reblue it but then realize blue doesnt work on aluminum.
The only thing I can seem it find that might work is Ceramic Coat by Wheeler.
Does anyone have any experience with this stuff?

Does anyone recommend something else?

Thanks
 
thejamie said:
Hi. I found an old ithica lever.22 that needs a Face lift. All the internals seem like it was never fired but the outside was rusted up a bit. I preped it all and was going to reblue it but then realize blue doesnt work on aluminum.
The only thing I can seem it find that might work is Ceramic Coat by Wheeler.
Does anyone have any experience with this stuff?

Does anyone recommend something else?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Not trying to be a smartass. But aluminum does not rust. And in general in just the elements it should not corrode unless it has gotten somthing acidic on it and a scratch in the finish. Anodising would be a good finish to have on it.

Ceracoat would be good. Strong finish that is baked on.
 
No the aluminum isn't rusted but is corroded a bit, the barrel was rusted. So i wanted to clean it all up and refinish it all the same way so it isn't different shades. It was in the basement of a 100yr old home for god who knows how long, owner thinks they must have been an old boyfriends, but isnt sure.
Ceracoat seems to be the census so ill see if I can find some around here.
Thanks guys
 
Aries- said:
Not trying to be a smartass. But aluminum does not rust. And in general in just the elements it should not corrode unless it has gotten somthing acidic on it and a scratch in the finish. Anodising would be a good finish to have on it.

Ceracoat would be good. Strong finish that is baked on.
Click to expand...
that's right , it doesn't rust but it will pit. And no need to bake ceracote( it says so on the bottle). Mine have been out in the bush quite a bit , and it's still holding up great.
 
I use armacoat on my aluminium projects

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There are some video's on youtube on DIY anodizing of aluminium at home.
Have not tried myself but does not look too hard.
You can also add colour. Hope this is helpful.
 
AL does sort of rust, but it's not like ferrous metals. AL turns grey and stops oxidizing. Take the rust off the barrel, if it's not too far gone(Heavily pitted), with 0000 steel wool and light oil or a light touch with a brass, wire wheel in a bench grinder. Eye protection is mandatory with a wheel.
Birchwood Casey makes Aluminium Black(your local gun shop). BBQ paint is made for AL. Cerakote, etc. is all well and good, but an Ithaca .22 isn't worth the time and money.
 
BBQ paint would not be my choice. That sort of VHT paint tends to be very soft and scuff easily even if it does bond well to aluminium alloys.

Any of the gun coatings would be a great way to go but likely pricey. Even if you are set up to spray them on yourself just buying the colour, hardener and a can of thinner is going to run up quite a bill.

If you want to keep it cheap then either the Tremclad spray bomb or a can of engine enamel. If sprayed and then baked as mentioned after it dries these paints are surprisingly tough. But do spot check with any cleaning solvents or other products you use on the gun to make sure it doesn't affect the finish. For example my favourite general cleaner is the easy to make up Ed's Red. But the acetone in it would most certainly affect the paint.
 
After looking into prices and procedures of the kotes its not worth it to me.
Its an Ithica 72 saddle gun repeater, im actually not sure if its alluminum or zink alloy, either way normal blue wont work. I cant find aluminum blue anywhere, and if I do chances are it wont match the barrel.
I found a spray DIY cerama coat by wheeler (25$) that im going to try out as an expirament.
Thanks for the advise guys
 
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