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User Panel
User Panel
CA, USA
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Posted: 8/3/2021 11:24:11 AM EDT
[Last Edit: PursuitSS]
I am building some new AR-15s and would like to finally make these components that always seem to look awful on any AR, look better:
It seems that no matter what vendor they came from, these components always look nasty. I'm tired of it. So, I'm taking action. I am thinking of using one of the following Rustoleum Engine Enamel colors (I'll test all three to see which color matches the specific AR I am building):
Do you guys have any better ideas, or do you think this is going to work? |
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Posted: 8/3/2021 3:22:47 AM EDT
[Last Edit: rpoL98]
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CA, USA
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Posted: 8/3/2021 3:34:05 AM EDT
Thanks, but looking for something I can do myself out of a rattle can. Not looking to pay someone $150 (or more) to Cerakote 20 little pieces of steel.
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Posted: 8/3/2021 7:49:22 AM EDT
Duracoat or brownells Alumahyde, your current choice will not hold up.
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Posted: 8/3/2021 8:08:58 AM EDT
Quote History Originally Posted By LastRites: Duracoat or brownells Alumahyde, your current choice will not hold up. What he said. |
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Posted: 8/3/2021 8:15:07 AM EDT
Yeah, rattle can doesn’t hold up for shit if you’re concerned about durability and it looking nice.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/3/2021 9:47:15 AM EDT
Quote History Originally Posted By LastRites: Duracoat or brownells Alumahyde, your current choice will not hold up. Another vote for this. Normal spray paint like Rustoleum will scratch, peel, etc. Even the high temp stuff won't hold up. |
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MN, USA
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Posted: 8/3/2021 10:30:20 AM EDT
Originally Posted By Rorge-Retson: I am building some new AR-15s and would like to finally make these components that always seem to look awful on any AR, look better:
It seems that no matter what vendor they came from, these components always look nasty. I'm tired of it. So, I'm taking action. I am thinking of using one of the following Rustoleum Engine Enamel colors (I'll test all three to see which color matches the specific AR I am building):
Do you guys have any better ideas, or do you think this is going to work? The flat black engine enamel is a near perfect match for Aero ano color. I have used it on receivers and handguards and it is holding up well, but the parts were already black so that helps. If it wears, shoot it again. |
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Posted: 8/3/2021 10:31:25 AM EDT
The finish you see is mil spec. Not sure if you want to keep the mil spec look because putting a coat of paint on it will take away from that. If you're open to non mil spec parts there are tons of "improved" options with nitride finishes available.
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Posted: 8/3/2021 10:35:04 AM EDT
Norrells and KG are the best you can self-apply.
Needs an air brush and an oven. |
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Posted: 8/3/2021 10:35:55 AM EDT
[Last Edit: TGWLDR]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By berkeleygiraffe: The finish you see is mil spec. Not sure if you want to keep the mil spec look because putting a coat of paint on it will take away from that. If you're open to non mil spec parts there are tons of "improved" options with nitride finishes available. This. Nitride will give you what you seek. As for port door covers.....milspec is all I know but I'm sure someone offers an aesthetically pleasing version. |
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CA, USA
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Posted: 8/3/2021 3:15:07 PM EDT
if you don't want to cerakote the parts in either armor black or graphite black, thee best thing you can do is just keep the parts oiled up
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Posted: 8/3/2021 10:00:12 PM EDT
engine enamel does ok for parts that never see contact with anything, are hardly ever touched, and never exposed to solvents. such as under the handguard.
otherwise, it's as everybody else has already said, it doesn't hold up. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2021 9:36:22 AM EDT
No.
Yes. Brownells Alumahyde, Duracoat, or maybe even Avroe. |
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USA
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Posted: 9/9/2021 4:37:56 PM EDT
Do you have an air compressor? If you do, it’s cheap to get a spray gun at Harbor Freight, and some Durabake paint and do it yourself. POR high temp paint (Amazon) is good too. The bake on finishes are very durable and easy to work with. The small parts you’re mentioning are always fun to do in a contrasting color for a build. Most important of all they really protect against corrosion.
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Posted: 9/9/2021 4:52:18 PM EDT
Why not re-parkerize. I don’t think it’s too expensive to setup for small parts.
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Posted: 9/10/2021 10:48:43 PM EDT
Use whatever you like with a Preval sprayer. Just make sure you prepare your parts properly.
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USA
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Posted: 11/14/2021 2:21:51 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Cynops]
If you need something durable in a rattle can, I'd go with flat-black appliance epoxy paint, caliper paint or Seymour Engine Paint.
I've used alumahyde before, and while durable, it tends to have problems spraying smoothly, even if you do everything right (its a bit unpredictable in this respect). Some cans like to spit out globs randomly while spraying even with thorough shaking, so I wouldn't trust it for anything you want to look perfectly finished. The parts you listed are parkerized from the factory, so the finish is already a great base for paint - just degrease thoroughly before spraying. |
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