HOW TO: Brownells ALUMA-HYDE II Magpul FDE

How to prep and coat your parts with Brownells AlumaHyde 2 in Magpul FDE.
There are conflicting reports on the color match of Magpul FDE online.
Handguard is for an AK-47 and is the medium length from AimSports, video on that here • AimSports AKM Handguar...

[@icebergo6]

MY 2 CENTS: use super light layers in varying directions/angles (not just left right); simple heat gun or hair dryer between coats makes process WAY faster WAY cleaner; always let previous layer dry but not cure before adding next one; check for missed spots before adding next layer. I did my gun in winter so once pieces air dried for day or so...with help of heat gun, I just left metal pieces on radiator for few days then rest at room temp rest of week. Worked wonders.

[@icebergo6]

One more tip:. Use Scotch Brite, NOT steel wool when roughing metal parts... ESPECIALLY STEEL!!! Fine steel wool won't damage gun, friction WILL CAUSE YOUR STEEL PARTS TO MAGNETIZE AND YOULL HAVE STEEL DUST ALL OVER IT!

[@michaelmitchell8800]

Just the regular scour pads?

[@DS-ew7sp]

Nice video. I just painted an AR with Aluma Hyde 2 Magpul FDE....it is NOT a match! It is kinda close but definitely NOT a match. Having said that, it does look good. I actually used a couple of the tips in this video and those were very helpful. I followed the directions on the can and I did opt to bake the parts in a 195 degree oven as specified by the manufacturer. The results are great and while I would have preferred a closer color match I am still pleased with the result. The paint is very easy to work with and pretty forgiving. Now we'll see how it holds up with regard to durability.

[@5jjt]

How's the durability?

[@bryanduchane2371]

This product is really good in comparisant to Cerakote!! As always, prep work makes it breaks a project.

[@tractordirt]

Thanks, nice vid! After a year or so, how is the finish holding up?

[@PD48914]

Brownells sent me Magpul Tan and it is definitely darker than what you have but it matches the Magpul FDE parts 100%

[@65pcnelson]

Thanks for doing this, very informative and complete. How has the durability been over the last year?

[@isaacspoon]

Looks just as it did when I finished. I’ve done a few shooting comps with it as well and it held up good

[@outboundoutdoors]

Wow looks good mate, excited to do my glock slide.

[@commonpatriot7595]

Thanks for sharing. Was wondering about the oven temp and time frame.

[@b.p.879]

I've read that using alumahyde 2 matte clear can darken your colors a little, and might make it look even closer to magpul fde.

[@isaacspoon]

i actually just got the alumahyde ii coyote for another build i am doin to see and directly compare the two against one another and against actual magpul FDE furniture. stay tuned as the video will most likely be out in a few weeks.

[@helikon06]

If I paint the lower receiver, should I disassemble the whole thing? Nothing in there should be damaged by sub 200° heat right

[@modemode3663]

How were the fume from cooking that in your house?

[@NoWr2Run]

He's still STUMBLING AROUND, LMAO.

[@mp40jager]

Just cooked mine. Fumes not that bad.

[@jp71889]

Amazon reviews say AlymaHyde 2 in Earth brown is almost identical to MagPul FDE. Too many brown/tans out there!

[@isaacspoon]

i agree, i have another video comparing coyote and magpul FDE as well. the coyote is nearly identical as well

[@ElsinoreRacer]

@@isaacspoon Earth Brown. Did all this. Earth Brown.

[@commonpatriot7595]

I'm in the middle of painting free float for AR pistol. And the outer protective shield on an EOTech optic.. it has Magpul hand grip and Backup sites I've added. I painted the Trimity blade brace also, but it's plastic. And the color match is not exact, but close. I'm not gonna loose any sleep over it. Also. the can I received from Amazon seller is expired by 8 months. l'm gonna Amszon and see about a refund. Overall, I'm satisfied so far. I'll be putting the metal peices in the oven tomorrow morning.

[@JBs_trucks_and_whitetail_bucks]

How well does this paint hold up on the barrels of a ar15 deer rifle when they get hot but not as hot as battle rifles

[@5jjt]

I heard BBQ grill paint is more heat resistant just for the barrel.

[@bryanduchane2371]

Should also do the receiver!!

[@getbrainseeds]

i heard putting the spray can in a bowl with hot not boiling water makes this stuff spray better and wont need extra nozzles, just what i was told

[@isaacspoon]

I remember reading that on a few sites as well, I decided to try it normal first, and it worked great for me

[@cobycudjoe8605]

What is your shooting experience with those Aim Sports handguards? I think it's somewhat odd that the upper handguard overlaps (wider) the lower one instead of being vertically aligned. I have not installed mine yet, so I'm wondering how your grip is affected. Also, more importantly, how durable has the paint been? Have you done any testing to the surface? I'm looking to buy some and compare to Duracoat that I currently use. Lastly, have you considered Cerakote H-267 Magpul?

[@isaacspoon]

I have another video showing the install of the aimsport handguard and I really really like it. I thought it would be weird having the lower portion smaller than the upper portion but it is actually very comfortable. I have shot with this rifle in a few comps and the coating still looks like it did when I made this video.

[@ThomasBilt]

Why not spray all of the parts to match perfect

[@OregonDX]

How has it held up with time? Looking back would you have done a second coat? Thanks!

[@isaacspoon]

It has done well. Even shot in a few comps with it. I wouldn’t coat it twice until it needs a second coat… if ever

[@emrhappy]

If you lookin', you ain't cookin' ;)

[@NoWr2Run]

LMAO, TRUE.

[@mossranchoutdoors7249]

Turned out good👍👍

[@mitchellspringer7025]

My question is will it be safe doing a barrel? Heating it won’t hurt it right? ( if their heat treated)

[@lennym480]

You will be fine at 195° The barrel probably gets hotter after a day at the range

[@michaelmitchell8800]

Hey bro, will gun scrubber be sufficient to spray. I saw that you used brake cleaner. Did you wipe it clean or let it dry

[@isaacspoon]

Anything that will remove any type of oil/grease residue will work, and I didn’t wipe mine dry because brake cleaner evaporates so quickly

[@michaelmitchell8800]

@@isaacspoon copy that. I’m grabbing a scotch brite scrubbing pad now

[@manny1470]

Looks awesome

[@devinbaker2155]

Can I cure this in my oven in my house or should I use one that I dont cook food in? I tried to look online, that only confused me more and I couldn't find a straight answer. I dont want to poison myself when it comes time to cook a pizza or something

[@isaacspoon]

Well I used my main oven that I cook in the 3 times I’ve done it. The first time, it wasn’t too odorous, but the second 2 times, it was strong. Definitely crack a window and get some airflow.

[@devinbaker2155]

@@isaacspoon Alright, well my girlfriend is not convinced that its safe so ill have to find some other way to do this :/ thanks for getting back to me so quickly though

[@NoWr2Run]

@@devinbaker2155 There's so much chemicals in our food nowadays, I DON'T THINK IT MATTERS, LOL.

[@devinbaker2155]

@NoWr2Run well it's been a year, but I might aswell respond just incase someone else has my question. I ended up leaving it sit for 2 weeks and air cure or whatever. Did not use an oven or any type of heat. The paint has held up very well, looks awesome, and is super durable. Even paint thinner has a hard time getting the paint off. Keep that in mind lol. If I were to redo the project I did, I would use this stuff again. Only gripe is the spray tip it has. Have a few on hand. It did get spotty after a few coats, I got the spots out but it could have ruined my gun. Hope that info helps someone

[@paladin-haveguns-willtrave3303]

Wow this guy really baked his gun in his kitchen oven

[@isaacspoon]

😂😂 yes I did… made sure my wife was gone so she couldn’t stop me!

[@NoWr2Run]

@@isaacspoon DAT A BOY, SMART MAN.

[@tdubblz]

So is one can of spray sufficient for one ar15 pistol? I’m thinking my receiver set and a 7 inch hand guard

[@isaacspoon]

I believe it is. It still feels most full after doing these

[@beelbrother1648]

I bought Brownells "Magpul FDE", and the "Earth Brown" color to paint several magazines and pistol grips. It wasn't worth the (currently) $24 price tag and here's a few reasons why: The "Magpul FDE" is too light. Set next to an actual FDE Magpul magazine and pistol grip, it's not even close. It's more tan than brown. Which brings us to the "Earth Brown" color. Earth Brown was actually only a few shades darker than the "Magpul FDE" paint - closer to the actual magpul color, but still more tan than brown. Lastly, for about 1/4th the price, you can get rustoleum's camoflage series, or krylon's ultra-flat series and get the same result.

[@tommybeatz4678]

Earth brown was pretty good tho kinda fde color

[@CrazyPalidin57]

You can get the results similar in appearance, however Alumahyde 2 is apoxy based which makes it far more durable and you don't get the tacky texture as you would get with a krylon.

[@-_bigtap]

How long did you put in oven for?

[@NoWr2Run]

3 1/2 HOURS.

[@KyleC2OO7]

How many cans do you think I would need to do magpul AK47 furniture? The metal on the AK in a different color than the furni?

[@isaacspoon]

Probably just 1

[@KyleC2OO7]

Ok thanks. Hopefully so since I’ll have to have 2 diff cans anyways.

[@fredsiegfried1707]

Hey Isaac, which one matches Aero FDE

[@isaacspoon]

I’m not sure, I don’t own anything aero FDE. Idk how it compares to magpul FDE and havent researched which one would be a closer match

[@macbaldwin101]

Just bought a can of this October 2021 and the label on the can looks like it was printed in the 1970's. Very much like the label on the can in this video. What gives?

[@isaacspoon]

Hahaha I have no clue… guess they are trying to cut costs EVERY way they can 🤣🤣

[@NoWr2Run]

@@isaacspoon They should try harder, maybe use Magic Marker, LOL.

[@luremakingforfun4190]

was there any kind of smell when you baked it?

[@isaacspoon]

Na there wasn’t that I remember

[@ratagris21]

Actually there is a faint hint of it. Best that you turn off you HVAC, and air out you location during the process of baking. Same applies with the use of the heat gun or sunlight. If you use sunlight make sure to use aluminium trays around or the parts to have the heat produced increase the metal temperature.

[@mackiv8612]

There is definately a smell. I used a vac oven to trap it but yes there is indeed a chemical smell.

[@ratagris21]

@@mackiv8612 its gassing as part of the curing process.

[@mackiv8612]

@@ratagris21 yes, im aware.

[@lousnaps]

I want to spray a glock. Will I need to heat cure and if so what temp? I'm afraid I'll melt it. Lol

[@isaacspoon]

Na it won’t. 200 degrees for 3 hours

[@kevinlawrence9629]

I've seen Glocks out of house fire's, still shoot

[@mackiv8612]

Actually that very last shot u can see the color match better

[@isaacspoon]

i actually just got alumahyde ii in coyote to do a direct comparison between the two and aslo against actual magpul fde furniture. stay tuned for the video. should be released in a few weeks

[@tumbleweedtodd]

Ak's and Sequoias 🎉🎉🎉

[@irondickey]

The music though

[@JIMBOBALOU]

Just used this stuff to paint some AR parts. I don't know if I got an old can or what, but the color doesn't match at all. It doesn't even match the cap on the rattle can. It has a greenish hue to it. Really pissed off about it. Won't be buying this crap again.

[@isaacspoon]

Contact them about it. I’ve read reviews where the wrong paint have been in cans before. If I had to speculate, that’s what I get happened again.

[@JIMBOBALOU]

@@isaacspoon I was wondering if the can got labeled wrong too. I bought the can off Amazon, and they won't return it cuz it's an aerosol. So I'm kinda screwed with it.

[@ToyMaestro]

do I have to put it in the oven ? dont think the wife would like that lol

[@NoWr2Run]

NO, But it speeds up the curing process by like a week or 2 compared to air drying, use the oven when she's gone.

[@DonnelWilson-sf8hn]

Look like the gun came like that

[@bogey19018]

You were too close.

[@ragvideo357]

Oh cut the music.