Grey finish on early M16 rifles

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elvis3006

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Can anyone recommend a product that recreates the original grey color on early M16 upper and lower receivers. A spray/bake on product. Thank you
 
Im pretty sure it was grey because they only hard anodized but didn't dye it black.

At work, everything we have plain hard anodized (no dye) comes back a medium to dark grey.
 
That same early Colt grey anodizing is found on early SP1 semi-auto rifles and carbines as well. I am not sure which Cerakote colour most resembles the Colt finish, perhaps "Cobalt", which is described as charcoal with a hint of metallic. Troy appears to have used Cerakote "SIG grey" to replicate the Vietnam-era Grey dry-lube finish on their commemorative GAU-5 and XM177 carbines, but that colour is a bit too light in tone. Here are 2 different SP1 Colts as examples of the anodizing colour:


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Here is the Troy attempt:


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It is Type III Class 1 hard anodized. Class 1 anodizing doesn't use any dye(like Class 2) and comes out a shade of olive drab or grey depending on the alloy being annodized.
 
Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black
Colour depends on type and grade of aluminum
I have used it and it comes out grey instead of black
Don't know about AR15 grade
 
*MALICE* said:
Im pretty sure it was grey because they only hard anodized but didn't dye it black.

At work, everything we have plain hard anodized (no dye) comes back a medium to dark grey.
Click to expand...
The color raw type3 anodizing takes will depend on the base alloy.

And they were not undyed/unsealed.
 
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