bert7.62x39 10 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 ...I did my first Saiga conversion recently (7.62x39) and due to some impatience and overzealousness, I didn't paint the bottom of the receiver after moving the trigger guard and installing the PG. I really don't mind the look of not having it painted, it doesn't bother me, but my question is this: Will leaving the metal "bare" increase the risk of rust? I ask because it seems that the metal is parkerized and not exactly bare... just not black. I'm wondering if painting is simply something that people do for aesthetics or if it also adds to rust prevention, thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lbsrdi 1,078 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 This is what 5years looks like. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poolingmyignorance 2,191 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Of course not coating the bare steel will increase the risk of rust. However if your gun stays inside a safe or climate controlled room and is dried and kept clean after every use, it may be a very long time before you see any rust. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) You're better off painting all parts that don't need to be bare metal and oiling all the places that you can't clean easily or that didn't get painted (between the FSB and barrel, etc). I like to give mine a good oil bath after cleaning, let soak, then wipe off the excess oil. They'll rust eventually but, why would you encourage it? I used to work in aerospace and every surface of every metal part on a plane is primed and painted with corrosion-resistant epoxy paint. Even electrical contacts are covered with epoxy. Edited December 2, 2013 by Sim_Player Quote Link to post Share on other sites
schultze13 354 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 There is a tactical black paint marker made for touching up guns it is only a few bucks buy it and cover the bare metal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JoeAK 337 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 It's bare on both mine, one for a year, the other for two or three years, never had an issue with either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) The beauty of the AK Receiver is the distributed stress. Surface corrosion will be slow in low humidity environments. You could probably sand the whole gun down to bare metal and let it rust for the next 10-50 years before it malfunctioned. Just paint the damn gun to maintain it's value. A little micro-rust under the paint is no a big deal. Rust needs oxygen and water (in general). Edited December 3, 2013 by Sim_Player Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Is it going to hurt anything? Not likely. Does is mean I will not coat it while doing the conversion? No. I consider it neglect, and a tad lazy when there is engine enamel for a few bucks a can that would blend in nicely if your not wanting to redo the whole rifle, but thats just me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) I was trying to avoid the term "lazy"..... Can I wear my shoes if I don't tie the laces? Yes. Don't mind our "harsh" responses, brother. We just care, sometimes too much. Glad you posted. Edited December 3, 2013 by Sim_Player Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Lol. The above was my personal taste. Not a stab at anyone that chooses otherwise. If I rub someone the wrong way, then perhaps I should switch hands... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Get a can of Duplicolor DE1634, just hit the unfinished area with a brass brush, blow it off, and spray the general area underneath the receiver until it matches the rest of the receiver. You're done in ten minutes. Why even bother worrying - just finish the job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bert7.62x39 10 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Ok I'll paint it... Heh, thanks all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Nice to see new members actively posting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lbsrdi 1,078 Posted December 6, 2013 Report Share Posted December 6, 2013 To be honest here the main reason I have not painted mine is laziness, and due to completely forgetting about it until I saw this thread. Am I gonna paint it some day soon, probably not. My advice, just paint it when you do the conversion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaigaFL 4 Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Dupli-Color ceramc engine low gloss paint from any auto store works great and takes the heat rated to 500 F. And it matches the Saiga rifle paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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