Polished Aluminum AR-15

MindTheGAP · Aug 20, 2018

Hey MDSers, I'm working on a 10.5" AR-15 Pistol using all raw aluminum parts, and hand-polishing everything to as mirror / chrome-like as possible.

That said, even throughout the process I've noticed that unsealed aluminum no-likey being out in open air for too long and was wondering what is the best DIY method for sealing / clear-coating polished aluminum.

This would be mostly a safe queen / deco piece but I do intend to shoot it occasionally so whatever coating would hold up to light use is enough, not going to be a knock-down SHTF rifle by any means.

Any ideas? I've seen a few options but some require a bake / heat treatment in tandem and I'm limited on resources (namely, space / specific equipment).

StantonCree · Aug 20, 2018

Seriously don’t do this!!!!!!!

I did this exact same thing with a beretta 92!! In the winter/fall it’s WAY to cold to shoot! In the summer it gets blisteringly hot even after being out for 5 mins! It looks cool but unless your at an indoor range it’s worthless lol. It basically amplified whatever the outside temperature is.

Ranchero50 · Aug 20, 2018

Bare aluminum is self healing so it shouldn't degrade unless the alloy is bad or your environment is corrosive (salt air etc).

Mag wheel polish or any aluminum sealer polish will keep them looking nice. Trick is to get rid of any roughness in the surface before sealing.

I thought about doing a silver and wood AR sometime.

clandestine · Aug 20, 2018

You can do clear ceracote.

jcutonilli · Aug 20, 2018

Here is a video of clear cerakote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqLh70yIfxk

kyserthehun · Aug 20, 2018

jcutonilli said:
Here is a video of clear cerakote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqLh70yIfxk

10/10

MindTheGAP · Aug 20, 2018

Thanks all; for the clear cerakote, it looks like a spray gun / oven would be necessary. I've heard 250 degrees is enough to cure H-series Cerakote so a small cheapo toaster oven may work, albeit slowly. The lady would murder me in my sleep if I used our oven for this...hesitant to buy a spray gun as well unless someone on here has a space / sprayer I could borrow for $$.

Is there anyone you all could recommend on here / an IP that would intake an entire rifle in bits and clear coat? The muzzle device / barrel wouldn't need it obv, though everything else would.

ironpony · Aug 20, 2018

clandestine said:
You can do clear ceracote.

This guy thinks he knows everything AR!

Crap, I think I have to agree ...

omegared24 · Aug 20, 2018

MindTheGAP said:
Thanks all; for the clear cerakote, it looks like a spray gun / oven would be necessary. I've heard 250 degrees is enough to cure H-series Cerakote so a small cheapo toaster oven may work, albeit slowly. The lady would murder me in my sleep if I used our oven for this...hesitant to buy a spray gun as well unless someone on here has a space / sprayer I could borrow for $$.

Is there anyone you all could recommend on here / an IP that would intake an entire rifle in bits and clear coat? The muzzle device / barrel wouldn't need it obv, though everything else would.

Just get a cheap toaster oven and do it outside. You can probably find one on craigslist for 5 bucks.

engineerbrian · Aug 20, 2018

Cobalt Kinetics sells them

NYRangers917 · Aug 20, 2018

engineerbrian said:
Cobalt Kinetics sells them

Dear god my eyes! :sad20:

engineerbrian · Aug 20, 2018

NYRangers917 said:
Dear god my eyes!

We have a video on our youtube channel from a few years ago at the NRA show where we did a video on the polished gun. Its not for everybody, but the amount of work and detail is pretty amazing.

We finally shot it earlier this year in Las Vegas and it was nice, but not something I would necessarily buy

clandestine · Aug 20, 2018

ironpony said:
This guy thinks he knows everything AR!

Crap, I think I have to agree ...

That guy Chad dont know anything

MindTheGAP · Aug 21, 2018

Trust me, if I could afford one of their stunning rifles I would buy it in a heartbeat. The price of that comp alone...eesh. But so, so purty. Plus don't they have that magazine drop / bolt drop feature whereupon an empty mag auto drops and a fresh one auto-releases the bolt catch?

Money. I'm gonna have to find a sprayer on the cheap now...

Mightydog · Aug 21, 2018

engineerbrian said:
Cobalt Kinetics sells them

Does it come with a pair of Oakley’s?

Chazp89 · Aug 21, 2018

I’ve built one polished and just left it bare, a little dulling and scratching over time but it hand polishes right back up

Biggfoot44 · Aug 21, 2018

Electroless Nickle .

MindTheGAP · Aug 22, 2018

Chazp89 said:
I’ve built one polished and just left it bare, a little dulling and scratching over time but it hand polishes right back up

That's a purty rifle right there. Is that walnut?

Occam · Aug 22, 2018

Captain Phasma and the Cyclon Centurion approve of this design.

Chazp89 · Aug 22, 2018

MindTheGAP said:
That's a purty rifle right there. Is that walnut?

Thank you. Yep it’s walnut, came from: http://www.blackgunswood.com/

With an 18” barrel and full stock it’s a healthy weight and just feels good in the hands. Next I need to do a matching polished bayonet

I’m curious to see what you end up with

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