Maybe dumb question...Cerakote overspray in thr barrel

[Hooked Now]

Hi Genius Squad,

I have a question that the internet seems to note be quite clear on. I recently had a rifle cerakoted and theres a good bit of overspray inside the barrel. I've been cleaning it and Im still getting grimy patches out, but its not coming all thr way down to smooth bore. It feels rough when you run thr jag and patch past it. Will this just shoot out over time? Or something else I should do to get it out? Any assistance or advice will be appreciated.

 

[rdog]

Hi Genius Squad,

I have a question that the internet seems to note be quite clear on. I recently had a rifle cerakoted and theres a good bit of overspray inside the barrel. I've been cleaning it and Im still getting grimy patches out, but its not coming all thr way down to smooth bore. It feels rough when you run thr jag and patch past it. Will this just shoot out over time? Or something else I should do to get it out? Any assistance or advice will be appreciated.

I have done quite a bit of Cerakote application . Standard procedure is to plug the muzzle & chamber with tapered rubber cones fitted to a thin threaded rod before the media blasting, prior to the paint application & remove plugs to thoroughly clean up surface re fit plugs & spray on the finish, my concern would be did the applicator media blast the muzzle & in side the bore ? . there are 2 main types of Cerakote 1 heat cure type H & air dry type C both are tough finishes but type H is tougher both are not easy to remove , i would try to throughly clean the bore with a bronze brush & Acetone as the over spray should not be thick & i would shoot the rifle & thoroughly clean & inspect with a bore scope if you have one . to see whats left in there . the other way to inspect the muzzle is to place a white Qtip into the bore to reflect light & look with a magnifying glass around the muzzle & in to the bore. Cerakote should be applied very thin or it may chip .

 

[Hooked Now]

I have done quite a bit of Cerakote application . Standard procedure is to plug the muzzle & chamber with tapered rubber cones fitted to a thin threaded rod before the media blasting, prior to the paint application & remove plugs to thoroughly clean up surface re fit plugs & spray on the finish, my concern would be did the applicator media blast the muzzle & in side the bore ? . there are 2 main types of Cerakote 1 heat cure type H & air dry type C both are tough finishes but type H is tougher both are not easy to remove , i would try to throughly clean the bore with a bronze brush & Acetone as the over spray should not be thick & i would shoot the rifle & thoroughly clean & inspect with a bore scope if you have one . to see whats left in there . the other way to inspect the muzzle is to place a white Qtip into the bore to reflect light & look with a magnifying glass around the muzzle & in to the bore. Cerakote should be applied very thin or it may chip .

This is very helpful. Very helpful. And a reminder about how hard it is to find a competent gunsmith. I'm pinging my Georgia boys for a recommendation next time I need something. Not plugging the barrel seems pretty dumb.

 

[Hooked Now]

And thank you for the response you gave. My mom would be embarrassed for me that I didn't say thank you.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I would definitely try to get it out before shooting. There’s a chance the bullet will ride over the stuff and push the barrel out.
Some people have tried to clean out barrel leading by shooting jacketed bullets and ruined the barrel.

 

[rdog]

I would definitely try to get it out before shooting. There’s a chance the bullet will ride over the stuff and push the barrel out.
Some people have tried to clean out barrel leading by shooting jacketed bullets and ruined the barrel.

I know i said shoot it but before you do i would plug the bbl at muzzle with a wooden plug & fill the bbl with acetone solvent let it soak for a couple of days & scrub with a bronze brush , acetone is the cleaning solvent for Cerakote may be you should take off the stock first . i imagine its a rifle. the other option is give the bbl a good cleaning with a metal polishing paste like Isso bore cleaner. Cerakote needs the surface media blasted to adhere to metal if the bore was not blasted it should clean off.

 

[Hooked Now]

So, and update on this. I pinged the gunsmith who did the Cerakote, told him my frustration and suggested he plug the barrel next time. He responded and said that he did. Thought what I was seeing was "sandblast or acetone residue". Seems like a highly suspect diagnosis and he is over 2 hours away so I'd rather not pop by. But I had a small brain wave. He had to loosen the banded front sight to get my barrel band on and then re-solder my front sight. All of thr residue area is right around where that would have been heated. Could the heat have done something odd? It would have been before cerakote but presumably after sand blast and whatever he did with the acetone. Cleaning is helping. I can distinctly see lands and grooves now. This. This is why im never taking a recommendation on a gunsmith unless the person giving it provides a blood oath and a Marriott rewards number as collateral.

 

[Hooked Now]

Last update on this just to close the loop. I had a foaming bore cleaner (Wipe Out) that allowed for overnight soaking. A few passes of that and diligent brushing and I got it down to an amount I was comfortable shooting. 20 rounds of Barnes TSX (is there anything those can't do?) Seemed to complete the job. Cleaning again now, but lands and grooves are sharp now. The mystery of what it was continues, but it seems to be resolved now. As always, thanks to all for the shared expertise and advice. Much appreciated.