DutyKote: An easier-to-use firearm finish?

Modern firearms finishes have come a long way from browning and bluing, and even parkerizing, with stainless steel regularly available and proprietary one-part and two-part coloured finishes fairly common as factory options, or consumer modification (Cerakote, Aluma-Hyde, etc.). Now, one US-based company is offering DutyKote Monster Tough. This new product is supposed to offer a few advantages over other similar finishes, with what looks like easier application—but it'll cost you more money.

Easier to apply?

The problem with most firearms finishes is that they're hard to apply. Browning and bluing are time-intensive, and only work on ferrous metals (no good for aluminum receivers, or even some alloys, like post-'64 Winchester receivers). Parkerizing is a finicky art; many people do it at home (there are YouTube tutorials galore), but again, it's only for ferrous metals, and like some bluing processes, it can involve some nasty chemicals.

Then there are modern spray-on coatings, which often require baking as part of the curing process, and often come with varying success, even for users who think they've followed the process correctly. These coatings are often two-part as well, requiring mixing in hardeners to make sure the finish cures correctly. Add it all up, and you get a process that's easier than old-school metal treatments, but it still finicky.

DutyKote's Monster Tough firearm finish is supposed to make the process easier, as it's an air-cure finish (no oven required, although you can use one if you want). It requires no mixing, as it's not a two-part mixture. Of course, it still requires spray gun application, and proper cleaning; easier does not mean there is no prep work or specialized equipment required.

DutyKote's simple website is very low on details on Monster Tough's chemical secrets (it's actually somewhat refreshing to the jaded journo, tired of techno-jargon). All it really says is that the finish uses "a covalent bond to the substrate giving it an intrinsic bond to surfaces," and that it's "Polysilazane cured resin."

Other advantages

Because it's not a two-part product, DutyKote's Monster Tough has another advantage: You don't have to mix up a batch and then use it all. If you mix up too much two-part finish, the excess will often be wasted. Not so with Monster Tough; if you have leftover finish when the job's done, you can return the excess to the can. DutyKote says it has an indefinite shelf life if stored properly.

DutyKote also says Monster Tough has a very light recommended coverage rate, of 0.4-1 mil. That's half of the competition's coverage thickness required, or less; this could mean less wear between firearms parts, as there's less interference between them. That also means that while DutyKote Monster Tough is more per ounce than competing products, you should see more coverage from this coating, which will hopefully even the costs out.

DutyKote sells Monster Tough in sizes as small as sample 2-ounce bottles, all the way up to full quarts. You can see pricing and colors offered here (a full quart costs $300 US!). Along with the Monster Tough paint options, DutyKote also sells Super Prime (which is, as the name implies, a primer) along with True Grip and Wet Grip, which are both formulated to (again, as the name implies) improve your grip on treated surfaces.

For more details on these products, you'd be best-served either going carefully through Duty-Kote's website, or calling them directly at the phone number provided there.