Hi Guys:

I have a cosmetically challenged lower on the way.  I need feedback on lower finishes.

I intend to bead blast some of the crud and paint off the lower.  I find it typically seems to 'renew' aluminum and covers a lot of the little dings and scratches.  The question is, what do I do with it afterwards???

I can powder coat, but that typically leaves a glossier finish than I perfer.  I can anodize, but still need to finish and coat.

Anyone used Brownells GunKote?  What about the Lauer coating Midway sells?  Any other suggestions?

One criteria:  The coating can be any color, so long as it is matte black.

Frozenny

Quoted: Hi Guys: I have a cosmetically challenged lower on the way.  I need feedback on lower finishes. I intend to bead blast some of the crud and paint off the lower.  I find it typically seems to 'renew' aluminum and covers a lot of the little dings and scratches.  The question is, what do I do with it afterwards??? I can powder coat, but that typically leaves a glossier finish than I perfer.  I can anodize, but still need to finish and coat. Anyone used Brownells GunKote?  What about the Lauer coating Midway sells?  Any other suggestions? One criteria:  The coating can be any color, so long as it is matte black. Frozenny

I don't really understand your comment about an anodized receiver needing a finish and coat (does he get cold?).  Anodizing is the finish.  The color is appplied by dying the anodize before sealing.

There is a reason commercial AR manufacturers anodize their receivers rather than painting.  I would not paint anything other than an AK or FAL frankengun, unless I wanted camo.

Simple anodize and color results in waht seems like a fairly "soft" finish.  We usually apply a finish coat of some form.  While the finish coat (clear krylon) is okay, I have some doubt regarding its resistance to CLP.  Hence my request for additional information

can you apply gunkote over the stock finish, or do you have to do other things for prep?

Scott

Quoted: Simple anodize and color results in waht seems like a fairly "soft" finish.  We usually apply a finish coat of some form.  While the finish coat (clear krylon) is okay, I have some doubt regarding its resistance to CLP.  Hence my request for additional information

If that's the case, then you are doing it wrong, since anodization (aluminum oxide) is rated 9+ on a scale of 1-10, with diamond = 10.

Gunkote has gotten good results, as has Norrell's Moly Lube.  Both of  which seem to be impervious to most gun cleaning products.

Here is a link on how to use Norrells to refinish an AR15.
www.glocksunlocked.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10200

Heres a pic of a lower I refinished with Norrells...

Quoted: can you apply gunkote over the stock finish, or do you have to do other things for prep? Scott

You can apply both Norrell's and GunKote over the anodization, which makes a good base. Don't sand/beadblast or do anything other than thoroughly degrease and clean. Sand/beadblasting will remove the anodization which will affect the wearability/durability of the lower.

Stickman's lower looks great.  You just could not ask for better than that.

Norrell's has had a longtime good reputation.  

Lauer's Duracoat finished firearms also turn out very nice.