Cheap AR lower coating

[CandG]

I have a few raw aluminum AR lowers that I want to be flat black like a typical flat-black-anodized AR lower.

I had rattle-canned them (krylon or some other such home Depot rattlecan) to hold me over, but it was terrible. Stayed sticky even after 3 months, too shiny, and scratched off if you even sneezed near it.

I don't want to spend $100 each to cerakote them, they aren't worth it. I just want something that roughly matches the anodized look, doesn't scratch off with a fingernail, and doesn't cost a fortune. The cheaper, the better. I don't mind if I have to re-coat it every couple years, and I don't care if it scratches "some" (battle-worn look is cool these days, right?), I just don't want something I have to re-coat every time I shoot it. Bonus points if it also somewhat protects the aluminum from scratches. I know cerakote fits the bill, but I'm looking for something more like $20 rather than $200, realizing that of course the quality won't be as good, and I'm fine with that.

Any tips?

[ar15barrels]

Any paint is going to scratch off.
There is no "cheap" alternative to anodizing that's as good as anodizing.
You can try anodizing yourself at home though.

For a cheaper paint, try Brownells AlumaHyde.
Just blast the lower, spray and bake to cure.

[uxo2]

Strip it and shoot it with
Brownells Alumahyde.

Buy a testors airbrush with canned air and some Norrells moly resin.

[deckhandmike]

Rock em raw.

[ar15barrels]

As with any paint job, the quality/durability comes from the prep.
Degrease, then sandblast, then degrease again if you suspect the blasting media is contaminated, then spray.

You mentioned your last paint stayed sticky for months.
That might have been high-temp paint which needs to be heat cycled to cure.
If you didn't heat cycle it, it's going to stay sticky and would obviously come off very easy.

[homelessdude]

Buy a can of Wrinkle paint. Paint it then bake it in the oven for fifteen minutes. Its way more durable than regular paint, looks good, and if you do it right fingerprints don't even show on it. Almost maint. free.

[CandG]

Sweet, thanks for the tips!! Alumahyde sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, I'll give it a try!

[ten888]

[alexisjohnson]

You must have done something wrong OP. Spray paint tends to be very durable... not as durable as anodizing or cerakoting but for the average user it should hold up on the lower just fine.

You either sprayed it on too thick or used the wrong type of spray paint...

Look up some youtube tutorials and do it again...

[Simi762]

Find a nice bake on, look BAKE it on right and it should be near impossible to take off. I've done a few that hard solvents wouldn't even make a dent to. The paint has to be solvent resistant of course. The key is to have sustained and contained optimal temperature.

I've found a plug in hot plate from harbor freight and a 7" duct from any hardware store works amazingly. The 7" duct can stand freely on the hot plate, I capped it with simple foil that had an oven thermometer wrapped in it and used steel wire to hang an entire rifle in side the duct via an A frame ladder.

You'd be amazed how fast 500 degrees can be reached, controlled and sustained for the amount of time needed to cure your paint. It's stupid easy and works great

[SonofWWIIDI]

IIRC, member SAGISI does the work here in the Bay Area (San Jose) while you wait. Maybe give him a try.

I think he charges much less than $100 per for cerakote...but I'm not positive. Contact him and find out.

If it works out, let me know and when you come down I'll bring a six pack to help pass the time. .

[MarikinaMan]

[SISKIN]

High Heat Engine paint ..works well if you prep. it right

[boopiejones]

I’ve been getting really good results with gun kote. It is available in a rattle can or liquid to be used in an airbrush.

As with any painting, surface prep is key. I’ve been having a lot of luck sandblasting with a $15 Sandblast gun and cheap playground sand. Then clean with acetone, heat the part in oven or with a heat gun, then paint and bake for about an hour at 325.

[uxo2]

Be sure and buy some extra nozzles OP.
The Nozzle will clog on you at some point. Usually at the most
in opportune time.