Ok..got bored and decided to test this out on a black upper/lower...
Control is a colt A2 upper circa '91 or so and still minty... Lower is sprayed with a coat or two of rustoleum and let dry about a week.





Photo taken in direct sunlight...upper colt...lower paint (dry)

Other side:  front half of magwell had CLP rubbed in it then wiped off "dry"...upper also got a little clp as well... back half of magwell is untouched paint...






Overall not bad but I think it matches better dry....haven't wet both parts all the way down though to confirm....



Now to find a color close to XMgray..




 
 

intersting, what shade rusties?
thx

I have a can of Rusty Gray Primer and will try it out on a beater lower to see how it matches up with an Colt CM forge-mark A2 upper.

Anybody ever found a spray can paint that matches the Colt gray / green of around 1990 ?   It was real close to the barrel Parkerizing.

Well here is a charging handle & trigger guard that I shot with rustoleum next to an XM grey NDS lower.  Pretty derned close

So you are using # 2089 Dark Gray Primer?

Yes... it is too dark for the XM gray..



Et2ss...what gray are you using????



 

How does Brownell"s Aluma-Hyde ll Parkerizing Gray 083-002-212WB match up to XM gray?

While I'm not gonna take credit for starting this trend, I do remember posting about it way back. I posted the same can of spray. Kinda discovered it by accident, then passed it on here on the boards. Have notice others doing it. This and stove paint spray baked on seem to work well for me.

The Rusto Primer is good stuff and holds up well. I use it for touch-ups to FSB pins, and chopped gas blocks, but a couple things to note:

1. It is primer, and it will attract moisture over time. Keep that in mind if you live in moist environments.
2. It looks fantastic when freshly applied and baked. With wear and rubbing, though, it will turn a really shiny, almost smooth plastic look. As me how I know ;)
3. On high heat items such as barrels and gas blocks, it will "whiten" up over time with an almost chalky appearance; like that seen on the tan Aimpoint rubber covers.

OP, please follow up on this thread over time as you use the rifle. I'm curious how it turns out.

Thanks for sharing!