Refinishing my kids .410s

[BKS]

I bought my kids two used 410 H&R shotguns at a local pawn shop going out of business sale. They lock up like a bank vault and the inside of the barrels shines like new gold, but the outside finish is shot. One had been wrapped in camo duct tape and underneath it was a mess.
  Like I said these are guns for my two kids and I would like to refinish them for them to use know and in the future. I called the factory and they quoted $45.0 to refinish the barrel and frame as new. I guess I could go that way but was looking for something a little more durable.

 Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[tony212]

Ok this might sound a little strange but trust me I thought the same thing when someone told me this then I tried it.  I had a Franchi AL48 that my father gave me when I was 15 yars old. Through the years almost all the blueing had worn off the steel barrel and most of the paint off the aluminum receiver.  I took the rest of the finish off both the barrel and receiver with a wire wheel.  Then I bought some auto grade flat black primer and gave both two coats. Next I got some high gloss black auto paint and put two coats of that on.  The gun looks so good I hate to use it now.  It actually looks better than when it was new.  The gun actually looked really good with just the flat primer on it so I guess if you don't like a gloss finish you could do a flat finish too.  Oh, I also redid the stock and foreend by sanding, restaining and several coats of high gloss polyurethane.  But even that could be satin if you like the dull finish.
Hope this helps.
Tony21

[Brett]

Automotive primer is porous and will not offer much protection from moisture if used alone but if topcoated would be okay I guess as a cheep easy fix.  How bad is the metal?  If it is just surface rust try some '0000' steel wool and Mystery Oil.  You would be surprized at how well this can clean up a gun. If the metal is too pitted or blueing to far gone check Brownells' web site.  They carry a couple ff different do-it-yourself refinishing kits.

[whitedogone]

This here is what you need.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1150&title=GUN-KOTE?%20OVEN%20CURE,%20GUN%20FINISH

With good prep and careful application this stuff is real durable and offers great protection.  It's kind of pricey.  But still a lot cheaper than having them reblued.  One can should do both with no problems. Besides it's fun and you can say you did it yourself!  WDO

BTW, the matte black looks better than the gloss stuff IMHO

[BKS]

Thanks for the replies, I was thinking of using the brownells stuff and was wondering if anybody had.

[whitedogone]

BTW,get the spray can.

P.S.   Make sure you do this when the wife is away!  Mine came home once to find her washing machine filled with shotgun hulls...not a pretty site.  :?