DIY refinishing?

[Smith]

I searched through and found threads and many of the various aspects of refinishing, but if I wanted to DIY what would I need from start to finish? I'm talking about a Saiga AK in a simple satin black. Gunkote, Cerakote, Molyresin, tools, equip, cost? Anyone local want to do it for me? BTW I want the best, cheapest possible. If it's cheaper to DIY I will. If it is more cost effective to have someone else do it I'd rather do that. The shops I know and have done things in the past run $90-$120.

[TGO David]

If you want to do it right, invest in a media blasting cabinet, a good spray gun / air brush, respirator mask and other assorted supporting items. Your quest for cheap doesn't instill the idea that you're looking for good, however.

[ccr refinishing]

TGO David I couldn't agree more. There is no point in doing it unless you are going to do it right

[Guest pwhphd]

GOOD - CHEAP - FAST [An inescapable correlation]

If you want something to be GOOD, it will likely not be cheap or fast.

If you want something to be CHEAP, it will likely not be fast or good.

If you want something to be FAST, it will likely not be good or cheap.

Those who expect all three are delusional.

Those insisting on even two of the three, will compromise one of them.

Better to want something to be GOOD and be willing to wait and pay for it!

[Smith]

I said best, cheapest possible. I then said which is more cost effective DIY or having someone do it for me, but thanks for the help? Since some equate good with the highest price what kinda of money is one looking at for the necessary equipment and which coating is best. IIRC David, you didn't start with high end professional equipment. So is it worth it to go that route for one gun or not. I didn't think my question was so unclear. Maybe i should get Bonneyman to rule it vague.

[Guest Phantom6]

It's just not worth it to purchase all the equipment to do it right to put the toughest and in my opinion absolute best coating (CeraKoat) on one or even 5 guns. I'll do it for you. Let me get my vendor status back on track and I'll be happy to discuss it further with you. Watch the vendor area under "Austin's" for more info and pics.

[Smith]

It's just not worth it to purchase all the equipment to do it right to put the toughest and in my opinion absolute best coating (CeraKoat) on one or even 5 guns. I'll do it for you. Let me get my vendor status back on track and I'll be happy to discuss it further with you. Watch the vendor area under "Austin's" for more info and pics.

Thanks for the input Phantom. I'd been reading about makeshift ovens and other equipment and it started looking like it would all add up pretty quick, even using some of the cheaper options available.

I was just curious what it all took and what it would cost. Looks like it would be better and cheaper to get someone like yourself with all the equipment and experience already in place to do it. Especially just for an AK every now and then.

I figured I could do all the painting and curing, but the sandblasting and parking is totally foreign to me.

BTW - I'm in no hurry. My Saiga is down with Red Jacket getting the front end worked over. He said he'd do it for $125 (blast, park, and paint) which is starting to look like a pretty good deal. I just thought I might like to try it if it didn't cost too much for the start up.

[TGO David]

IIRC David, you didn't start with high end professional equipment.

Actually I spent in excess of $1500 on my setup, not including the two-stage shop compressor and air-water separator that I already had. Every single piece of what I used to spray the finish was pro-grade sourced from either body shop supply houses (the HVLP gun) or from detail-trim supply (the Paasche pro-grade air brush).

I still have the digital temperature control unit that I bought to build the oven with. I'd gladly part with it.

[Smith]

Actually I spent in excess of $1500 on my setup, not including the two-stage shop compressor and air-water separator that I already had. Every single piece of what I used to spray the finish was pro-grade sourced from either body shop supply houses (the HVLP gun) or from detail-trim supply (the Paasche pro-grade air brush).

I still have the digital temperature control unit that I bought to build the oven with. I'd gladly part with it.

Ah, that's a lot of money. I guess I confused some of your post with the other guys talking about PVC/heat gun oven stuff. I think I'll stick with letting someone else do it for me. I'd have to refinish a LOT of guns to recoup that. Thanks.

[TGO David]

It's like almost anything else. You can get your toes wet for cheap... but once you dive in, it's gets expensive quick.

[dralarms]

It's just not worth it to purchase all the equipment to do it right to put the toughest and in my opinion absolute best coating (CeraKoat) on one or even 5 guns. I'll do it for you. Let me get my vendor status back on track and I'll be happy to discuss it further with you. Watch the vendor area under "Austin's" for more info and pics.

PM me with a price on doing a 96FS and colors available.