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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/9/2024 6:32:51 PM EDT
Hi all, long time lurker but finally decided to build an A1. I wanted a kit that had seen some use so I picked up a kit from Atlantic. The hand guards and buttstock are in great condition as is the bolt. My upper is another story. It appears to have flaking black paint on it. Would this indicate an arsenal rework? The upper is marked CH, so I believe it is a 1973+ export. It doesn't appear to have the colt gray underneath it. I'm thinking about stripping it and refinishing it in the original colt color unless black was indeed OEM. It also looks like there is a fair bit of corrosion underneath the paint. Any suggestions on what I should use to strip it?
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Posted: 2/9/2024 6:55:36 PM EDT
[#1]
Get your money back.
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/9/2024 7:36:55 PM EDT
[#2]
Closer I look at the upper, the more I'm leaning that way... don't know if I can make it serviceable
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Posted: 2/9/2024 7:50:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: osprey21]
[#3]
Repost this in Atlantic's forum --> https://www.ar15.com/forums/Industry/Atlantic-Firearms/158/
But honestly, it doesn't look much worse than the pic they used in their ad. 
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TN, USA
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Posted: 2/9/2024 8:15:21 PM EDT
[#4]
 Leave it in this for several hours and the black will come off. I wonder if those came back from the Philippines. They get serious mileage out of their weapons. I say strip it and build it into something cool. |
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Posted: 2/9/2024 8:59:01 PM EDT
[#5]
Strip and put norrels on it and then wear ir
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Posted: 2/9/2024 9:26:07 PM EDT
[#6]
You can use Acetone. It might have some nice patina hiding under there.
Before  Attached File Attached FileAfter  Attached File Attached File |
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/9/2024 11:34:13 PM EDT
[#7]
This is reassuring!
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USA
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Posted: 2/9/2024 11:34:29 PM EDT
[#8]
Out of all the upper receivers posted in this thread so far, I would have no reservations using any of them, except for OP's. That aluminum corrosion is some nasty stuff. I would divest myself of it, if I were OP.
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/9/2024 11:37:00 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AmericanSheepDog: Strip and put norrels on it and then wear ir I think this is the route I'll go if it doesn't look quite right when I strip it, I'll post the results |
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Posted: 2/9/2024 11:52:44 PM EDT
[#10]
yuk
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 2:31:55 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Ricks66c10]
[#11]
Here is mine that was purchased from Atlantic back in '20.
Put in the stripper for a few minutes and liked the result. Here it is on the finished A1. I suspect yours will look similar after stripping. https://ibb.co/vBHrS5C https://ibb.co/d253Mmj https://ibb.co/Bs9jGGJ https://ibb.co/hHPd0sM |
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Posted: 2/10/2024 5:02:36 AM EDT
[Last Edit: HipSh0T]
[#12]
OP's receiver appears to be down to bare aluminum in several places, I think he might have no choice but to add a spray on finish after that black is stripped off properly.
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KY, USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 5:12:30 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MRW: yuk https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/5205/BB128FAD-EE72-4117-8456-2BFF06CAAFAD-495930.jpg JT needs to revise his business cards. He no longer does "custom work". His regular AR services are fantastic though. |
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Posted: 2/10/2024 7:04:52 AM EDT
[#14]
I believe what you’re seeing is just layer after layer of black paint. What look are you going for with the build?
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Posted: 2/10/2024 7:42:35 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Richard-ar15]
[#15]
It's never going to look factory new. If it were mine, I'd knock the flaking parts off and spray it with more semi-gloss black paint.
Make the lower match, and swap out the furniture if it looks too good. No shortage of beat buttstocks and handguards out there. I like an A1 that looks hard-used, and you will never have to worry about scratching it! I had no idea they were just pinching off the barrels like that, now. Not hard to remove one properly. I'd get that stub off first and make sure the receiver is still good to take a new barrel. |
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TN, USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 8:16:53 AM EDT
[#16]
Go for the Filipino rifle look, you don't even need all if the parts to be authentic looking!
  
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USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 9:13:35 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Stahlgewehr762: Out of all the upper receivers posted in this thread so far, I would have no reservations using any of them, except for OP's. That aluminum corrosion is some nasty stuff. I would divest myself of it, if I were OP. This. |
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USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 9:20:34 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ricks66c10: He is mine that was purchased from Atlantic back in '20. Put in the stripper for a few minutes and liked the result. Here it is on the finished A1. I suspect yours will look similar after stripping. https://ibb.co/vBHrS5C https://ibb.co/d253Mmj https://ibb.co/Bs9jGGJ https://ibb.co/hHPd0sM No way his looks like that. Look at the corrosion. Send it back. Your looks good even before stripping. |
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Posted: 2/10/2024 9:43:01 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Stahlgewehr762: Out of all the upper receivers posted in this thread so far, I would have no reservations using any of them, except for OP's. That aluminum corrosion is some nasty stuff. I would divest myself of it, if I were OP. |
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WI, USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 9:50:32 AM EDT
[#20]
boy, that looks rough, if it were just chipping paint that would be ok, but this is much worse.
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 12:10:45 PM EDT
[#21]
Colt Gray
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/10/2024 12:12:34 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By mtomso7464: No way his looks like that. Look at the corrosion. Send it back. Your looks good even before stripping. I've sent Atlantic an email. I'm not optimistic it goes anywhere. I'm not stripping it until I get a response... if I get a response since I've heard they're not the greatest with customer service. |
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MP, USA
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Posted: 2/11/2024 7:56:35 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Pilotnick12: I've sent Atlantic an email. I'm not optimistic it goes anywhere. I'm not stripping it until I get a response... if I get a response since I've heard they're not the greatest with customer service. Atlantic is known to have very good CS. I bet they take care of you. |
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/11/2024 12:35:58 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By JoshNC: Atlantic is known to have very good CS. I bet they take care of you. That's great to hear! |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 2/11/2024 1:17:45 PM EDT
[#25]
On the bright side, those uppers have already been thrown down the driveway...several times.
Paladin |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 2/11/2024 5:39:38 PM EDT
[#26]
I have two of those kits.
I used my brass tumbler with the stainless steel pins, soap, and water. Little bit of lemon shine. Worked great, very happy with the results. I did this to all the parts. It removed the paint, brightened the exposed aluminum, and polished the remaining anodized areas. I would post pictures if I had a smart phone! |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 2/11/2024 5:58:28 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Assh]
[#27]
Look at the last picture on post 6.
This is what mine looked like after I used my tumbler, only better. The patina is there, they look smooth and polished. The stainless steel pins will remove all the corrosion. It will take some time. I had one that was pretty bad and If I recall, maybe 10 hours in the tumbler. I even tumbled my new H&R lower till I got the same color and patina as the surplus upper. Do the receivers separate and the small parts separate. This will keep them from banging into each other, unless you want that look. I guarantee you throw that into a SS tumbler it will cleanup nicely. Afterwords spray it with a two part flat clear coat epoxy to seal the exposed aluminum or leave it with a coat of oil, you'll be surprised. |
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USA
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Posted: 2/11/2024 6:29:31 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Assh: Look at the last picture on post 6. This is what mine looked like after I used my tumbler, only better. The patina is there, they look smooth and polished. The stainless steel pins will remove all the corrosion. It will take some time. I had one that was pretty bad and If I recall, maybe 10 hours in the tumbler. I even tumbled my new H&R lower till I got the same color and patina as the surplus upper. Do the receivers separate and the small parts separate. This will keep them from banging into each other, unless you want that look. I guarantee you throw that into a SS tumbler it will cleanup nicely. Afterwords spray it with a two part flat clear coat epoxy to seal the exposed aluminum or leave it with a coat of oil, you'll be surprised. I just don't think the OP's will ever look that good. There is metal missing. THe one in post 6 looks great compared to his. Plus look at the edge of the CH. Looks like it was sitting on cement. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 2/11/2024 7:37:11 PM EDT
[#29]
That corrosion is all surface and will clean up just fine, get the paint off by soaking in acetone/lacquer thinner to see what you really have.
It will work just fine. |
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/12/2024 11:54:31 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By mtomso7464: I just don't think the OP's will ever look that good. There is metal missing. THe one in post 6 looks great compared to his. Plus look at the edge of the CH. Looks like it was sitting on cement. I'm not taking the risk, Atlantic agreed to replace it at no charge so +1 for them! |
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Posted: 2/12/2024 11:55:58 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Pilotnick12: I'm not taking the risk, Atlantic agreed to replace it at no charge so +1 for them! Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Pilotnick12: Originally Posted By mtomso7464: I just don't think the OP's will ever look that good. There is metal missing. THe one in post 6 looks great compared to his. Plus look at the edge of the CH. Looks like it was sitting on cement. I'm not taking the risk, Atlantic agreed to replace it at no charge so +1 for them! Awesome, hopefully it's a decent condition upgrade.... |
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KS, USA
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Posted: 2/12/2024 1:24:01 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By HipSh0T: Awesome, hopefully it's a decent condition upgrade.... Yeah fingers crossed. I'm okay with having to strip it etc... I just know all too well what corrosion does to aluminum from aircraft... |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 2/12/2024 2:16:30 PM EDT
[#33]
I bet they'll pick a good one for you.
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Posted: 2/14/2024 5:13:33 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Pilotnick12: Yeah fingers crossed. I'm okay with having to strip it etc... I just know all too well what corrosion does to aluminum from aircraft... Yep, that looks like intergranular corrosion.. |
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Posted: 2/15/2024 9:05:04 AM EDT
[#35]
Most of the modern finishes really want to have a sandblasted surface anyway. Most of that will probably clean up just with that. What doesn’t would clean up with a little bit of extra surface prep. There’s a little bit of surface damage there, but nothing that serious.
I think a lot of these guys would have an aneurysm if they saw what “high mileage” military issued weapons look like up close. |
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USA
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Posted: 2/15/2024 4:58:19 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By wapiti74: Yep, that looks like intergranular corrosion.. Yes, "intergranular exfoliation" was a common enough issue during the AR-15 early years that Colt switched from 6061 to 7075 aluminum. The 6061 aluminum was turning into mush/dissolving in the humid jungle environment of VN. It is a bit surprising to see a 7075 upper showing this same issue, but under the right/wrong conditions, I suppose it's possible. |
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OR, USA
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Posted: 3/14/2024 11:57:07 PM EDT
[#37]
Just ordered one from Atlantic, hoping it's useable, not expecting anything pristine.
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Posted: 3/15/2024 12:09:10 AM EDT
[Last Edit: backbencher]
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Nehi: Just ordered one from Atlantic, hoping it's useable, not expecting anything pristine. You're getting OP's upper Just post the pics here, no need to start a new thread. |
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OR, USA
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Posted: 3/15/2024 12:09:34 AM EDT
[#39]
What's the best bet for .625 20" FSB barrel nowadays?
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OR, USA
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Posted: 3/15/2024 12:10:56 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By backbencher: You're getting OP's upper Just post the pics here, no need to start a new thread. Dammit! Like I didn't already think that might happen! You jinxed me! |
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Posted: 3/15/2024 12:14:50 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Nehi: Dammit! Like I didn't already think that might happen! You jinxed me! Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Nehi: Originally Posted By backbencher: You're getting OP's upper Just post the pics here, no need to start a new thread. Dammit! Like I didn't already think that might happen! You jinxed me! [ Smugly smiles in Mike's H&R ] |
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