Annodizing upper/lower

**Seaweed** · October 23, 2011, 00:05

I have an upper and a lower that have colors so different that I want to redo them both to make them the same color. Who will do that?

mitchellh · October 23, 2011, 04:43

US Anodizing

**idsubgun** · October 29, 2011, 00:20

Something you should be aware of.

Re-anodizing requires the old anodizing to be stripped off the parts. Anodizing is a half in/half out growth process. In other words, .001" of anodize will be .0005" on the outside of the parent metal, and .0005" into the parent metal.
Stripping the old anodize will actually strip away some of the parent metal. This will result in certain areas to be smaller, and in the case of a hole, it will cause it to be a larger diameter. This could cause your pins to be too loose.
No matter who does the work, this will happen. And it's a guessing game. Depends on several factors, i.e. composition of the aluminum alloy, time spent in stripping tank, time spent in anodizing tank, etc.
In other words, you may ruin your rifle simply for a cosmetic change. And no one can guarantee that they won't ruin it. It's an educated guessing game.

Make sure you ask about this before sending off to whomever you choose.

**idsubgun** · October 29, 2011, 00:26

Forgot to mention. I had a lower and upper that didn't match, both from the same company but bought a few years apart. I called and asked about it and was told to wipe both with WD-40. I used LPS 2 instead and it actually made them match up. Might try it.

October 23, 2011, 00:05	#1
Seaweed Veteran Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 2736 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Newport, OR Posts: 1,280	Annodizing upper/lower I have an upper and a lower that have colors so different that I want to redo them both to make them the same color. Who will do that?

October 23, 2011, 04:43	#2
mitchellh Registered FALaholic #: 16852 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: VA Posts: 2,033	US Anodizing __________________ e

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October 29, 2011, 00:20	#3
idsubgun "Comfortably Numb" Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 3100 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 9,194	Something you should be aware of. Re-anodizing requires the old anodizing to be stripped off the parts. Anodizing is a half in/half out growth process. In other words, .001" of anodize will be .0005" on the outside of the parent metal, and .0005" into the parent metal. Stripping the old anodize will actually strip away some of the parent metal. This will result in certain areas to be smaller, and in the case of a hole, it will cause it to be a larger diameter. This could cause your pins to be too loose. No matter who does the work, this will happen. And it's a guessing game. Depends on several factors, i.e. composition of the aluminum alloy, time spent in stripping tank, time spent in anodizing tank, etc. In other words, you may ruin your rifle simply for a cosmetic change. And no one can guarantee that they won't ruin it. It's an educated guessing game. Make sure you ask about this before sending off to whomever you choose.

October 29, 2011, 00:26	#4
idsubgun "Comfortably Numb" Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 3100 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 9,194	Forgot to mention. I had a lower and upper that didn't match, both from the same company but bought a few years apart. I called and asked about it and was told to wipe both with WD-40. I used LPS 2 instead and it actually made them match up. Might try it.