I noticed surplus m16a1 uppers from CDNN usually have a faint greenish tint to their grey finishes even after you've scrubbed them down. I assume this is from the cosmoline, heat and time. Is it possible to replicate this say by cooking a lower receiver in cosmoline? I'm curious if anyone has ever done this.has but man that stuff stinks.

There was a thread on this not long ago and IIRC the general consensus was that it could only be replicated by storing it for a few years in oil or cosmoline.  It does look nice but just a wee bit to much trouble if you ask me.

Quoted: I noticed surplus m16a1 uppers from CDNN usually have a faint greenish tint to their grey finishes even after you've scrubbed them down. I assume this is from the cosmoline, heat and time. Is it possible to replicate this say by cooking a lower receiver in cosmoline? I'm curious if anyone has ever done this. I know Norrell's supposedly has a color to match this but man that stuff stinks.

Yikes!  Don't smell the Norell's!!!   It uses MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) as its carrier solvent...  that stuff will quite literally rot your brain.  Seriously, its highly toxic.    If you use Norrell's, and its a great choice, make sure you are in a well ventilated area and wear a good respirator that is rated for filtering out organics.  Find yourself a can of MEK (Home Depot or Lowes carry it in their paint department), as you will need it for cleaning your airbrush anyway, and read the warnings and instructions on the label!

I am enlightened yet again, Ar15.com is the best.
Thanks for the info guys!

Quoted: I am enlightened yet again, Ar15.com is the best. Thanks for the info guys!

Preheat your item before you spray the Norrells, and then let it sit over night before you cure it.  There is MUCH less smell this way.

(Sniff..sniff)   MOM!!!   Daddy's cooking guns in the oven again!!!


So, let it sit overnight, huh?  Good tip!

Protip: MEK will kill a wart faster than anything else. MEK will also disolve any organic matter in short order. Yay!