what do you all recommend?

I don't paint mine personally. If you want something that will last, cerakote.

I don't even worry about it.

DO NOT use Birchwood Casey Aluma-Black!

I had an anodized 80% and after machining I wanted to do something to the machined area.

So I plugged the trigger opening and poured in the Aluma-Black.  It started some type of chemical reaction and it appeared to be etching the bare aluminum in a very corrosive manner.

I dumped it out and rinsed it with water.  It actually attacked the surface of the machined area with almost no coloring of the metal, but did nothing to the anodized areas it came in contact with.


Next time I will mask off the anodized area and spray flat black rattle paint into the pocket.

I like my innards raw

I rattle can mine.

Might look into a chemical conversion coat like Alodine 1200.  It won't be black, but it'll be protected.

sweet my first 80 looks like shit but used some sand paper on it and looks better but still crappy.  Next time I am using a better jig probably the 80 arms easy jig.  I used a QD on that 308.