Q. What is DuraCoat?
A. DuraCoat is a two part chemical coating. It is applied by airbrush, conventional spray gun, or HVLP spray gun. Although it was developed for the firearms industry DuraCoat's versatility can be used anywhere a durable finish is required. DuraCoat's applications are only limited by your imagination. DuraCoat is a hard polymer that is oil, solvent, and wear resistant. It resists 100 inch pounds of direct impact and 80 inch pounds of reverse impact. Its pencil hardness runs H to 2H.
Q. What is DuraCoat compared to some of the other finishes available?
A. In the case of most finishes, a common misconception is "harder is better". This is faulty "old school thinking". Hardness means brittle and brittle means chipping. DuraCoat, being elastic, will not chip. Elasticity provides protection by "giving" when confronted with impact and also helps prevent scratches and mars. DuraCoat does not wear out, it wears in. It can be applied over just about any surface including, metal, plastic, or wood as long as the surface is properly prepared.
Q. What is the average turnaround time on items?
A. DuraCoat is not a flash cure application so generally speaking 2 to 3 weeks. But if the items are small or if the shop has the needed manpower they may be return shipped with in a week. We strive to maintain a maximum 3 week time frame, but on occasion it might take a little bit longer and we will notify you prior to you shipping or as soon as we realize that there will be a delay. Generally speaking, once the items arrive they are put in to the line up of projects. On the day that the items come up for that day they are stripped of the old finish, cleaned and prepped on the first day. Masked, coated and cured (up to 6 hours) on the second, if time for that day allows a light sanding is done and a second coat is applied. The sanding and redcoating coating will continue for up 6 coats depending on the chosen look. Normally, the shop can process 3 or 4 projects per day.
Q: Can I reduce my cost?
A: YES up to 40%! Remove any existing camo finish with a good paint remover such as Air Craft Stripper or Klean Strip Premium Stripper. An anodized finish can be removed also by you but the chemical process has dangerous fumes and the metal is very time sensitive in the solution. Feel free to contact us about anodize finish removal. Media blasting will also work on both finishes but can be costly unless you have other access. For limbs and anything made of carbon the only way to strip them is with handsanding and little bit of elbow grease. In general, the closer you get the part to bare, smooth metal then the lower your cost, and the quicker your turnaround can be!
