Duracoat Curing Time

[codygjohnson]

I'm about to Duracoat a rifle that I've been doing some work on, but I'm having trouble finding a key piece of info: How long do you let it cure before normal use? I keep hearing 2-3 weeks. What do you guys usually do?

 

[outdare]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
DuraCoat Firearm Finishes Questions

When is DuraCoat fully cured?
DuraCoat is dry to the touch in 20 minutes, can be handled in 1 hour and is ready for use overnight. Although DuraCoat will gain most of its final hardness, elasticity and chemical resistance over a 4-6 week period, time will continue to enhance DuraCoat's characteristics over a lifetime. DuraCoat, like fine wine, gets better with age. As we say, "DuraCoat wears in, not out."[/FONT]

 

[jcrntx]

You CAN use it after 24 hours of curing. I have been duracoating guns for about 3 years and have done a couple hundred. I can tell you from personal experience, the guns that look the best long term, are the guns that are allowed to FULLY cure, which in my book takes 4-5 weeks (Lauer website now says 2-3 weeks but used to say 4-5 which I stick with). Good luck with the project!

 

[codygjohnson]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
DuraCoat Firearm Finishes Questions

When is DuraCoat fully cured?
DuraCoat is dry to the touch in 20 minutes, can be handled in 1 hour and is ready for use overnight. Although DuraCoat will gain most of its final hardness, elasticity and chemical resistance over a 4-6 week period, time will continue to enhance DuraCoat's characteristics over a lifetime. DuraCoat, like fine wine, gets better with age. As we say, "DuraCoat wears in, not out."[/FONT]

I've read that.

...ready for use overnight.

I've heard this is not accurate. It's ready for assembly, but most folks say it's still too easy to marr or flake until a few weeks later...just not 4-6 I'm hoping.

 

[codygjohnson]

You CAN use it after 24 hours of curing. I have been duracoating guns for about 3 years and have done a couple hundred. I can tell you from personal experience, the guns that look the best long term, are the guns that are allowed to FULLY cure, which in my book takes 4-5 weeks (Lauer website now says 2-3 weeks but used to say 4-5 which I stick with). Good luck with the project!

I'm thinking of waiting at least 2 weeks before hitting the range. Hard to get this all done and not get out and shoot!

 

[jsimmons]

I'm thinking of waiting at least 2 weeks before hitting the range. Hard to get this all done and not get out and shoot!

That's why you need to build/buy yourself another rifle.

 

[gnp2002]

Is there anybody in the Houston area willing to help a fellow texas gunner Dracoat a gun or 2. I'll buy all the paint, (even enough to allow the gracious helper duracoat one of his rigs). I don't have any equipment however, such as Comp. or Air brush etc. Let me know.

Thanks!