September 04, 2025, 07:48 AM
1flynDORe anodizing an AR upper?
I have a ar 15 upper in 9mm i want re anodized to match a lower. You guys have any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
September 06, 2025, 02:13 AM
CPD SIGDo you want it to match, or do you want it to MATCH.
If you just do the upper, it's going to be a few shades +/- off of what the lower is. If you want them to MATCH, do both upper and lower.
Ceracoat / refinished comes to mind-
CCR - Cummings Custom Refinishing (Sig Forum member) is spoken of rather highly around here.
https://ccrrefinishing.com/September 06, 2025, 01:15 PM
smschulzCerakote everything.
September 06, 2025, 02:28 PM
darkest2000If you don't like the look of Cerakote and rather an almost dead nut match for the matte anodized look, I would recommend Molyresin. They're easy enough to work with that it can be applied in a home/garage. They are also super thin so they don't alter dimensions like cerakote does so you can actually coat the interior too if desired.
You'll definitely want to do both the upper and lower for the finish to match.
Or you can try to accept that AR uppers and lowers (especially on older guns) don't always match, even from the factory.
September 08, 2025, 02:45 PM
myrottietyI had priced some anodizing a LONG time ago. For one piece it was way to expensive.
I'd definitely just send upper/lower off and have them ceracoated so they match.
September 08, 2025, 09:30 PM
hrcjonyou have two projects, one to get it stripped and one to get it reanodized. I have no experience trying to get the first part done. But I have searched hi and lo for someone who will for a reasonable priced anodize an AR upper and lower. The first problem is volume and price, the second problem is that one of them is a firearm.
September 09, 2025, 06:14 AM
PGTMike @ H&R has shown pics of latch handles made from aluminum coming out of the same anodizing tank and having 30 different shades of gray. The treatment doesn't take equally even if everything is perfect which is the great thing about ano over cerakote.
Even black has different shades and tones.