Cover the surface where you will be working with newspaper.
Dis-assemble the entire firearm and clean all pieces thoroughly, making sure there is no trace of oil on any piece. One of the best cleaners you can use for this job is MEK or methyl ethyl ketone, an industrial solvent. Pour MEK into a disposable aluminum foil pan and soak the parts. If necessary, use air pressure, brushes or rags to reach every surface of the firearm.
Use denatured alcohol for a final wipe down of the parts. Even a single drop of oil will cause the Duracoat to peel.
Use blue painter's tape to mask off any parts that will not be painted.
Snip pieces of the wire to make hooks to hang the parts to dry. This will also facilitate spraying Duracoat and allowing drying time between coats. A pegboard will work as a holder for hanging the parts. Cover the pegboard with heavy plastic to protect the surface from over spray.
Pour lacquer thinner into a foil pan. In case of a painting mistake, dip the part into the pan to remove the paint. You can also use it to clear the air-sprayer tip if necessary or to clean your hands of excess paint.
Set up the air sprayer and set the compressor to 30 psi.
Mix the Duracoat paints to get the color you desire. Test spray on a scrap piece of metal to check color.
Combine 1 part Duracoat Hardener to 12 parts Duracoat paint. Shake thoroughly for at least 3 minutes, and pour into the paint receptacle on the air-sprayer.
Hold spray tip 4 to 8 inches (10.2 to 20.3 cm) from the parts and spray Duracoat with sweeping passes from left to right. You can go back for another pass or 2 before allowing it to dry. The ideal final thickness of Duracoat should be 1 mil, applied in 1 to 3 passes. When spraying Duracoat on parts that receive more wear, such as parts that rub against holsters and slings, aim for a coating 1.5 mil for added endurance.
Set parts aside to dry and cure. They will be dry enough for light use in 24 hours, but ideally they should be allowed to dry for 2 weeks.
Clean up work area. Do not dispose of Duracoat and other chemicals in sewer lines. If you will not use up the Duracoat within 18 months, take to a licensed disposal facility.
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