80% anodized or not?

[mudbass7]

What would be the difference?
I guess what i mean to ask is what are the pro's and cons of getting an anodized lower vs a plain lower.
I'm not interested in engraving or anything like that.
am i correct in thinking you need a company with an FFL to anodize a completed lower?

[Intimid8tor]

Anodizing a complete lower can be done by someone who is not an FFL provided that you stay on site and anodizing firearms parts is not a regular part of their business.

Most of my lowers are white (no anodizing) as I wanted to get them anodized after machining was complete. Well, I moved to Boise and am having a hard time finding anyone to anodize them. I am now contemplating getting the engraving done, having them anodized and then machining them. The other option is to go with cerakote or alumahyde or something similar or trying to set up home anodizing even though it won't be hard coat.

[Dr-Death]

anodize.....type 3 best
type 2 good
non ano = raw alum will corrode

[kcstott]

Anodizing a complete lower can be done by someone who is not an FFL provided that you stay on site and anodizing firearms parts is not a regular part of their business.

Everyone says this but good frigging luck finding a shop that will. The hard anodize process takes far too long for anyone to sit around and wait on, let alone being allowed to do so by the shop thats doing the anodizing.

Most shops run stuff in batches so you would have to call ahead, get an appointment, then show sit there an wait probably half the day or longer. Because you are not just waiting on your part but the whole batch to be processed.

Southern California plating in San Diego has an FFL and you can ship to them and they will do the work and ship back.