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Posted: 7/8/2014 12:56:38 PM EDT
| I have a raw aluminum lower to finish. Does anyone have experience with aluma-hyde, specifically the OD green? Is it close to Magpul's OD? Or would it be worth it to get my lower Cerakoted? |
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ALII is going to be a little bit thicker as you have to apply it in layers, the use a heat gun, then another layer, heat gun and repeat. It will last a very long time if you don't wipe the gun down with any solvents. Duracoat would probably work better. Brownells offers a kit for one time use for 30 bucks or so, it air dries and doesn't require the heat gun.
I used both in my shop the ALII and Duracoat. I like them both. For what they are they are both great but Duracoat is going to be a thinner coat. I have not used Ceracoat. |
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Seriously THIS! I have an Uzi I did in Alumahyde, and it is no where near as strong as Cerakote. If you use it I recommend doing it over a stronger finish. |
| I've recently used both Aluma Hyde and the new Duracoat aerosol. While the both produced a good finish, Duracoat was a bit more glossy then I would have wanted but does seem to be a bit 'harder'. That being said if I were going to spray a raw receiver, I would probably ass up the money for Cerakote as I think it would have the best and probably longer lasting results. You could always use either now and save the money for a cerakote job later, since they will be blasting the parts anyway. |
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I have a 500 that's coated in coyote aluma-hyde. Bought it in the spray can for a handguard to match FDE (which it does QUITE well btw) and had a bunch left over. A very cheap, quick, easy way to get something coated. The 500 I actually parkerized all the steel pieces first, then sprayed the receiver/barrel/magazine in the coyote AHII.
I like it for what it is, but it's a knock-around gun that, since it's in a spray can, is very easy to touch up if/when necessary. Handguard in question: 
iowahbars1 by Armed Ferret, on Flickr |
Duracoat Aerosol in the spray can is too shiny (WWII OD Green):
Same rifle stripped, mix it yourself into a preval sprayer ultra flat tactical OD green duracoat, same grip both pics, this duracoat is a match for the MOE+ grip, it's too easy and lasts wonderfully if you can wait a month before hitting it with the really harsh cleaning chemicals. 
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