AKs don't have a lower, because there's no such thing as an AK upper. The nomenclature is not the same as the AR-15. AKs just have a receiver.
Best method is to assemble, blast, parkerize, and then duracoat, molyresin, or cerakote. Cerakote is the least....offensive when curing in the oven. The molyresin can stank like no other. Duracoat is an air-cure, but you want to give it at least a good 72 hours untouched after spraying to cure (although giving it a week or more is even better).
All are excellent finishes.
As foodpoison mentioned, I'm not too far from him and between the two of us you could probably get a build done pretty quickly. There's another member here with refinishing gear, but I won't speak up for him as I don't know what his schedule looks like; he may be out of town for a while.
Which brings us to my schedule....I have PCS orders to Texas, so I'm afraid all I'll be able to do is coach and cheer from the internets. Won't be able to go hands-on this go-round, sorry.
I will have the finish done professionally, but do you know which provides the closest finish to what eastern euro AKs use?
