doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cerakote and doublegun solder

I fear cold blue is what got me into this mess. The original finish was so badly worn as to have been confused by several members here in photos as being Damascus. Trying to improve on that led to a disaster with cold blue and now I find myself seeking something to protect and dress up the gun, which is not now and will not be for sale. It is for use, and I look forward to using it again once it is again ready to take afield

Another choice that I have personal experience with is the Duracoat application via the "shake and spray" two part kit. Brownells has it for $60. No equipment is necessary other than what comes in the kit. I use it for finishes on inexpensive Turkish and Russian single shots.It is a two part epoxy finish. Five years ago, I was asked by a friend to take his gun to a gunsmith I know who specializes in turkey chokes. He had an old Lefever trap gun in 20 ga. that had already been reblued at one time with what turned out to be a plum finish on the action. I was in the process of Duracoating the action of one of my guns which had a bright polished alloy action. It was a small job and I had plenty of the mix left over. I offered to coat his gun once it was back from the 'smith. A screw in choke was threaded after cutting off the Cutts and a red dot mount added. The Duracoat was flat black. Here's a photo of the finished job. Now is Duracoat as tough as Ceracote? No. But Ceracote can chip and like Duracoat, repair is difficult if at all possible. Gil

Cerakoting an English double is akin to the queen wearing overalls. I think the key to what is being said here is a GOOD cold blue job.
You are trying to dress it up, not turn it into a functional junker.
I'm not trying to offend, its just the the best way I could think of to describe cerakoting an English double.

Yes exactly, that is why I suggested a proper application of Oxpho Blue as a much better alternative to Cerrakote on a vintage double. It doesn't take a lot of skill or money to do a presentable job. It is much better and more durable than any other cold blue I have tried. It is easily reversible, and it doesn't take a professional to apply it. I don't know the actual condition of the gun, but assumed it is at least worth saving and making it look decent.

It ain't right, but I'm sure there is someone out there who has decided to refinish a decent old Rolls Royce with rattle cans of spray paint... or this...

I don’t recall the queen wearing overalls, but I do recall her driving a truck, and they wouldn’t have been out of place there. Likewise cerakote on my double serves the same function as overalls on a truck driver. My double is not particularly valuable, was in poor finish, and made by a largely unknown maker, but it is for me a shootable English double at a price point I could afford and being refinished to a protective finish that is pleasing to its owner.

Just a gentle reminder that this thread asked a metallurgical question not a style one.

Dustin sent a photo a while back of a coated gun, and the thing looked like it had been hot blued in the picture. Fantastic work. The sad truth is, run of the mill boxlocks are approaching zero demand, and if a guy has one and wants to use it, I shouldn’t care too much about what finish he wants to put on it.

Hey, the queen is dead.

Maybe reach out to Dustin (LeFusil, here) to pick his brain about the gun and the process that was used.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the solder joints on a shotgun barrel eventually need maintenance. It is a regular part of ownership, it just happens. If you are close to that point, your spiffy new finish might be ruined by the ribs needing to be re-layed.

Good luck.

Best,
Ted

I know a number of you will not care for the cerakote finish, but for me it serves a purpose, protects my sxs, and doesn’t look bad at all.
In the two photos below are (top) my AYA No. 4, and (bottom)the newly cerakoted gun

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Below is the original finish

The most important part of the coating is that it satisfies you. Not bad. Gil