Thanks to the ridiculous sales that Primary Arms is having, I’m finally getting around to putting my build together from the parts that I purchased on Black Friday...

I’m thinking of doing something different with one of the builds...a themed build if you will.

I want to paint the upper and lower a silvery gray color...I know nothing about painting these components in regards to what paint to use to ensure it looks good and lasts...any tips? Should I even try this?

DIY = duracoat

Personally I would look into someone to professional do it in cerakote...

Brownell's Aluma-Hyde. I will be painting a lower, hand rail, stock, etc. this weekend with Aluma-Hyde.

If you follow the directions, it is a very durable finish. It must be allowed to cure properly. It comes in several colors.

I've done several stocks, grips, etc. with it over the years and have been completely satisfied.

https://www.brownells.com/guns...yde-ii-prod1117.aspx

Interesting! I’ll check it out, thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by CandyMan.45:
DIY = duracoat

Personally I would look into someone to professional do it in cerakote...

Cerakote isn't that much harder or costly.
It is substantially better than Duracoat.
Everything is in the prep > which means a media blast of the metal then coat then heat cure.
OK it is a bit harder.

DuraBake is heat cured version of DuraCoat.
I like it better.



Here's one I did a couple years ago.
ASU Green DuraCoat





I use DuraBake on my grey metal mags and this Akbar.







I've switched up to Ceramic Coating.
I did this FDE on my 6.5 Grendel build.
It's a Wheeler product.











I'd go Ceramic if you have an oven large enough to heat cure the parts

^^ Nice work, Grumpy.

Very nice grumpy! Thanks for sharing.

Do you have to strip all the paint off the parts before painting it with your new color?

No, removing all the factory Coating isn't recommended.
Some products directions require a certain grit / texture for best performance.
Media blasting will produce a texture (K-Bar blade in photo) for the DuraCoat & DuraBake to adhere to.
The Wheeler Ceramic coatings don't require it (I'm told only if it's new ).
Just a degrease as the factory textured finish is enough.
My 6.5 Grendel is getting light use so it's certainly no torture test but it's holding up perfectly.
Sadly they do not offer silver or even light grey.


If you don't have a media cabinet you can use a hopper gun from Harbor Freight .
You'll lose all your media vs a cabinet that collects & reuses it but for small or infrequent projects it's no loss.


Just a compressor to run it.