A friend gave me her late father's Fox Model B 16 ga. It was covered in rust which I removed as well as all the bluing. I was thinking of duracoating the metal and was wondering if I should use the durablue or gray or black duracoat. Anyone have any input or pics of guns with this product? I'll probably just use it for dove hunting... Never had a 16ga before.

I've used all of those products. The high polish black durablue would probably match the original finish the best.

I’d definitely go Cerakote instead of duracoat. I’ve seen way too many duracoat finishes that haven’t stood up anywhere close to the abuse that Cerakote withstands

Yeah, Duracoat is not the toughest finish available. It's a lot thicker too so it can't go into all the places Cerakote can. Cerakote has a midnight blue that looks real close to bluing.

I would do Cerakote midnight blue. I just think that is an upgrade over the Duracoat. The pistol I saw in Midnight Blue they doubled up the hardner and it gave it a little more shine. It looked nice. I am sure gundoc can speak more to that.

Nothing wrong with Durablue but to me it looks like that black spray paint looking type finish. I can't describe it well other than similar on a cheaper gun like a .22lr or a pellet rifle or something. Might have just been the one I saw but if the money is in the labor and prep work vs the actual finish I would go with Cerakote. I am not sure what the difference there would be gundoc would have to speak to that as well.

I like that you keep suggesting finishes that look like bluing. Personally,I would only want bluing on a classic SXS

X2 on the midnight blue Cerakote. I refinished an old Winchester 190 of my dads. Blued the barrel, mag tube and all the small metal parts. The receiver is alloy so I had Cerakoted midnight blue. Turned out great. Pm me your number and I can send pics of the receiver if you’d like.

Yeah. me too. The problem is finding someone to do the bluing. It's becoming a lot art. Not to mention the EPA has been cracking down on folks who do it. Lately, I've been referring folks to Accurate Plating and Weaponry (APW). They are down in Newville, AL and I've seen their work. It is outstanding.

There are 3 different mixes for cerakote. 24 to 1 (flat), 18 to 1 (satin) and 12 to 1 (gloss) If you mix it with a ratio of 12 to 1 with a color that naturally has a slight gloss to it already, it will really slick up. This is a Colt Commander I did in midnight blue a while back that BCLC has.

Like Goatkiller mentioned, the labor involved is the same other than the cooking process. I don't charge anymore for Cerakote than I do for Duracoat.

Damn doc that is gorgeous. Only problem is the guns I’d want that a pretty finish on are the ones I cherish the patina on now. That really looks nice.

Two words Oxpho Blue, it is easy to use. I refinished a SxS that belonged to my father. Sanded the barrel down to a shiny silver, cleaned it with Denature alcohol, heated it with a Heat gun, you can use a blow dryer, apply, repeat as many times as you want to achieve the darkness you want, heat the barrel one last time and lay a light coat of motor oil on it, it will make the black pop. Mine turned out beautiful.

There is some pitting around the top part of the barrel chamber that is somewhat deep. Ive removed the rust and hit it with some steel wool and it is somewhat soothed out. what can be used as filler? I guess ti does not matter too much but it would be cool to make it look as good as possible. Ill try to post some pics later today.

Don't laugh, but if you plan to use a spray on finish, you can mix some JB weld, and use it like body filler to fill the pits. Once it sets up, sand it down and spray as you normally would.

You can also use brass rod and braze them up then shape with a file, sand and finish but that's a lot more work.

Thanks! Yeah there's a lot to be said for a nice patina.