M1 Garand Gas Cylinder

[ShaveTail]

Okay, maybe this is a stupid question that will get me screamed at by the purists, but...powder coating? Would it be a horrible idea to have the gas cylinder on my new H&R Garand powder coated? There isn't much of the original finish left. I was reading how people have used Gun Kote with pretty good results, but that got me thinking...isn't that just a basic powder coat? I have a buddy with a pretty descent powder coating set up he uses for cycle parts and I'm sure he'd do it for free. Nutty idea? Crazy? The gun is a 1955 with an H&R barrel and receiver, but Springfield internals, so I figure it wouldn't hurt the value any to fix the eyesore cylinder. Any thoughts?

[Badger]

I'm not a Garand collector, so I can't help you, but if you don't get an answer in this forum, then go ahead and cross post it again in the primary Garand forums as well.

Regards,
Badger

[browningautorifle]

Powder coat will work but be careful not to get it inside or it will effect tolerances. Why not shop around for a gunsmith or some business that does stainless refinishing. Sometimes automotive groups handle this sort of business. Or maybe people who deal with trophies. Brownells produces Oxinate 84 and we've used it on countless stainless gun related parts or receivers flawlessly. We used miuriatic acid to clean the pores of the material and quench with cold water. We did a Winchester gas cylinder that turned out perfect.

[jmoore]

First thing that comes to mind is that the cylinder gets mighty hot! Need to ensure the coating will hold up beforehand.

[browningautorifle]

Jmoore IS right, I don't know how heat will effect this powder coat. When I wanted to remove it from an AR receiver I just used acetone and a stiff nylon brush. It took a minute but it came off. I would think a finish designed for stainless would be better.

[ShaveTail]

Thanks for the responses guys. And I think you're probably right for another reason as well--in retrospect, since the front sight is attached to the cylinder I think the coat would come out too heavy around the detail parts. I think I'll take Badger's advice and hit up the Garand Forum boys for what they used.

[chuckindenver]

Eastwoods care restoration supply sells a bolt blackener that works very well, heat doesnt effect it.. they do have a web site,
careful when you bead balst it, dont get media inside the works.
best to plug each end with a rubber stopper first.

[chuckindenver]

and a link...
Metal Blackening - Specialty Coatings

[Calif-Steve]

Chuck: How does this stuff worK. It appears interesting, for sure.

[chuckindenver]

its worked pretty well on non Winchester parts, from what im told, Winchester hardened theres a little more then the others.
iv tried real Black oxide, and Eastwoods...no luck.
i can blacken others with normal Black oxide...