Firearms are more than just tools or recreation, but can be a serious investment as well. A wise firearms enthusiast will protect his investment with the best finish available - one that exceeds the most stringent military specifications - METACOL™.

METACOL™ is an acronym for METAL COLOR and covers a proprietary line of beautiful protective coatings specifically engineered for the unique requirements of the firearm industry. METACOL™ is a process, not merely a product, which is why ARS does not offer our finishes for home-application. ARS constantly strives to improve not only the protective quality of the product, but also the efficiency and integrity of the process. Surface preparation is the step that has the greatest impact on the final results. Regardless of the product quality, sloppy surface prep will not yield satisfactory results. Our careful and meticulous surface preparation is one of the factors that sustains ARS as the industry leader in firearms coatings.

For all coatings, we completely disassemble the firearm and strip to bare metal. We can mitigate minor scratches and dings at no charge. More significant blemishes require inspection for a quote We coat all parts except for the smallest pins and springs. We will highlight lettering upon request, providing the engraving is deep enough to hold the paint. Please visit the Firearm Finishes Photo Gallery for examples of our fine firearm restoration and refinishing services.

METACOL IV™

METACOL IV™ is a specially-applied manganese phosphate coating that yields a beautiful charcoal gray color. The shade of gray depends on the hardness of the metal: usually softer metals yield a medium gray, while harder metals yield a charcoal-gray color. Phosphating will often reveal heat-treated areas as well as weld marks from manufacture or repair. Phosphating involves chemicals precipitating out of solution and adhering to metal. This coating acts as a physical barrier against abrasion, has anti-galling properties, and provides additional corrosion resistance through its ability to retain oil. Phosphates are common on military arms, and METACOL IV™ manganese phosphate is the best "Parkerizing" for your guns. Phosphates do not adhere to stainless steel or aluminum, however METACOL III™ gray is a close match to METACOL IV™ and can be used if your firearm has a few aluminum or stainless parts.

METACOL III™

METACOL III™ is the best firearm coating available and has made all other coatings obsolete. METACOL III™ is a bonded, solid-film lubricant. Unlike paint, it will never chip, peel, bubble, or crack and is thin enough (.0003" to .0007") to coat most delicate internal components. When thermally cured, it chemically bonds at the molecular level with the base metal. It is unbelievably tough (the toughest black finish available), impervious to rust, and self-lubricating. METACOL III™ is the ideal coating for modern weapons and can be applied to carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, "pot metal," and some high-temperature plastics (like HK™ collapsible stocks). Technical specifications are available on the METACOL III™ Technical Specifications page. Due to variations in shade produced from taking photographs of colors with a digital camera, editing the photos on one computer monitor, and then viewing them on a different computer monitor, the best impression of color can be obtained from the Firearm Finishes Photo Gallery. Generally the lighting and possible reflection off any oil on the firearm creates a slightly glossier appearance in the photograph than in real life.

METACOL III™ is available in two standard colors: HK-style Satin Black (most popular) and Colt-style Gray.

Our most popular color is METACOL III™ Satin Black. We specially adapted this black coating to match the factory finish on Heckler and Koch rifles, and have been the authorized refinishing center for Heckler and Koch, USA., for over 12 years. It is also an excellent match for the Uzi, Galil, L1A1 and Belgium FAL factory finishes.

The METACOL III™ Gray is a perfect match for Colt™-style gray anodizing (AR-15, SP-1). Classic Patina™ results from a special curing process and closely duplicates the green-brown tint effect of age and Cosmoline on a gray Parkerized surface. This special process has the added advantage of being an even color throughout and hiding areas of different hardness that standard Parkerizing would highlight, such as weld marks. It is beautiful on Garands, M1As, Springfields, M1 Carbines, Israeli FALs, and similar firearms.

METACOL III™ is available in several special colors or two-tone combinations: Classic Patina™ (a gray with green-brown tint), NATO Green, Desert Tan, and Earth Brown. NATO Green, Desert Tan, and Earth Brown require several coats for best results, therefore on these colors and on two-tone finishes, internal components are coated in METACOL III™ Satin Black. Classic Patina can be used on all components.

METACOL III™ is also available in camouflage patterns: Woodland Camouflage (approximately 35% NATO green, 35% Earth Brown, 15% Desert Tan and 15% Black or Dark Gray); Afrikan Camouflage (equal parts Desert Tan, Earth Brown and NATO Green); and Urban Camouflage (equal parts Cream, Light Gray, Blue-Gray, and Dark Gray or Black) . On camouflage patterns, internal components are coated in METACOL III Satin Black or Dark Gray.

STOCK FINISHING

While METACOL III™ is the best firearm coating available, it does have its limitations in certain applications. As a thermally-cured coating, the part in question must be able to handle 300 F curing temperature (same temperature as hot bluing). Some items like wood and some types of fiberglass rifle stocks (such as the H&S Precision, McMillan, and Bell & Carlson) will not safely handle the temperatures. For this type of application, we use Sherwin Williams Industrial Polane-T™ catalyst-cured epoxy. Sherwin Williams Industrial handles the military CARC (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating) used on our nation's military vehicles. We use the same CARC colors in the Polane-T™ line of coatings.

We offer Black, Desert Sand, Coyote Brown, Brown, Green, and ARS Green™ - our own special mix of Gray-Green modeled after the German WWII night-fighter aircraft. With these colors, we also do desert, Afrikan Desert ™, and woodland camouflage patterns.

Coating your rifle stock or similar parts that cannot be thermally cured is included in the complete rifle refinishing price.