coating myMarlin?

[tanoose]

Wanting to coat my rifle ,the Marlin 1895 XLR in a black matte finish what type of coating would be best i was looking at the Diamond Coat finisf and i believe   they get around $200.00 for rifles anyone ever have this done.I want extra protection for some very harsh climates, and was wondering what was available out there.I'm talking action ,barrel lever , the whole rifle.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Wow, can't believe that no one replied to this one.  There are LOTS of miracle finishes guns today.  Diamond Coat, DuraCoat, the finishes by Robar, the various teflons....

The process of preparations is actually more important the actual finish itself.  If the metal isn't prepped right, the finish isn't going to last.  Robar is HIGH quality finishes for law enforcement, military, and competition, and prices are pretty good too. 

Lauer Custom Weaponry is the maker of the DuraCoat finishes, and they developed them for military applications as well.  I would go with either one of those two companies more than likely, but I'd also take a look at Brockman Custom Rifles website, they specialize in custom Marlin lever actions, stocks, uupgrades, and finishes.  Wild West Guns in Alaska is another good company for Marlin work, but unless you live in Alaska, turn-around times may be a bit lengthy.

[pastorp]

Tanoose, I've used a couple of guns that were hard chromed. That was the most durable finish I know of. Worked good around the salt spray here in southeast Alaska. It's real wet here and the hard chrome in a mat finish worked much better than a stainless gun. Regards, Byron

[Marlin_444]

Aside from the type of eyes (sights) I'll put on "Black Betty" my '75 444s Marlin, I have decided to have her Charcoal Black Parkerized...  I'll post a pick when completed (shoulld have her back my Friday or Monday)... 

She is a Standard 22" Bbl, but I had her Professionally Ported...




Refinished the wood in a "Tacky Flat Black" finish after striping the varnish...




Added a fitted Sims Recoil Pad to soften the recoil to my soon to be 47 year old shoulder...




For "Grins" I added a Western Loop Lever to her...




All I really wanted to do after this is 1.  Refinish the metal and 2.  Top her with respectable sights...  Thinking a 30mm Tube Luepy that is EER or LER for a scout mount or a LONG EER or LER since she is a bit long in the tooth (e.g. Barrel is 22" and over 33 years old)...

Anyway, let me know what you think about a Parkerized Job for her!

Thanks!

Ron

[Mikey]

Marlin_444:  Aside from being a bit long in the tooth, chronilogically only, I doubt your barrel is that bad.  I know yours is a 12 groove barrel and if the accuracy is not what it used to be it may suffer from some copper fouling that can be easily removed.  All my 12 grooves have had that problem unless I fire lap the bores, then accuracy improves greatly, jacketed slugs included. I was amazed at the amount of copper fouling I was able to remove from some of my barrels and accuracy improved noticeably.  My lapped barrels do not foul to any significant degree.

Tanoose:  I don't want to sound cheap or tacky but there are commercial spray paints available in hardware stores or auto parts stores that will give you great finishes with superb protection.  One in particular is wheel rim paint - I think it is a 'Dura' something product.  Anyhow, I used up a can a bunch of years ago on some old Chevy rims (that still look good and haven't rusted yet) and saw that since it looked so good I would try it on a older SMLE #4 Mk1 I had hanging around.  Then I used it on a friends old mismatched wartime P-38, then an older 1911 and even on a old pitted and rusted (removed) S&W Victory Model.  The spray goes on very evenly and does not hide stamped lettering or numbering.  The finish looks professional and not like a paint job.  Try something like that on an old tire rim or crummy looking piece of metal and see what you think.  As long as the metal is degreased and clean you shouldn't have any problems with either the application or having the color stay on the metal.  The protection you get from some of those products is incredible.  Just a thought.  Mikey.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Aside from the type of eyes (sights) I'll put on "Black Betty" my '75 444s Marlin, I have decided to have her Charcoal Black Parkerized...  I'll post a pick when completed (shoulld have her back my Friday or Monday)... 

She is a Standard 22" Bbl, but I had her Professionally Ported...




Refinished the wood in a "Tacky Flat Black" finish after striping the varnish...




Added a fitted Sims Recoil Pad to soften the recoil to my soon to be 47 year old shoulder...




For "Grins" I added a Western Loop Lever to her...




All I really wanted to do after this is 1.  Refinish the metal and 2.  Top her with respectable sights...  Thinking a 30mm Tube Luepy that is EER or LER for a scout mount or a LONG EER or LER since she is a bit long in the tooth (e.g. Barrel is 22" and over 33 years old)...

Anyway, let me know what you think about a Parkerized Job for her!

Thanks!

Ron

   Oh man, LOVE IT!  Sorry to copy, but I'll probably end up with a 30-30, .35 Rem, and a couple of others that'll look just like it. 

[Big Al in Nebr]

Friend of mine just took his 03-A3 into the local plating shop to have it finished with a black oxide finished.  He almost fell over when the owner told him it would be $56.  You might check a local plating shop without going through the gunsmith.

[tanoose]

Thanks for all the info. I have decided to go with Tef-Cote done by Spradlins in Co.This is the company Leupold allows you to use to coat there scopes They will do my scope for $95- andthe Marlin 1895XLR for $195- It will be done in a Black matte finish. You can check them out at www.spradlins.net As far as the stock i will go synthetic and send it to wild west guns for the same stock they use on there co-pilot.