Color matching parts on a rifle

[Cleck]

So a while ago, I finished my AR and now want to match the BCM FDE color handguard to the stock and magazine.

What's the best way to do this? Paint or wrap the parts? Buy new ones that are FDE colored? They don't appear to all be the same color. BCM and Magpul both offer FDE pieces, Hexmag sells FDE magazines, but none of these seem the same color.

See pics:

That looks greenishy to me.

Here's Magpul's FDE:

CTR® Carbine Stock – Mil-Spec

Here's BCM's FDE:

BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Stock Assembly-Mod 0-SOPMOD-Flat Dark Earth

Also, here's an FDE Hexmag:

None of those look the same to me.

If you look at Magpul's grips, the FDE looks sandy/tan, and the foliage green looks closer to this. Hexmag looks the closest.

What do you guys think?

 

[freddy]

The color FDE varies so widely I have learned to embrace the quilt like patchwork that results in FDE firearms. Even from the same manufacturer the FDE color can vary markedly between batches. Save yourself the headache of precise color matching. Think of it as a camo pattern. Look at a FN SCAR, for example. No less than four different FDE colors on one brand new $2,500 factory rifle. Get the best parts, do not worry about colors matching exactly. Form follows function.

 

[Cleck]

Usually I'm a function > form guy myself, just wanted to see if this was normal.

Since it is, and I'm happy w/ the parts I have, should I just buy a pan of spray paint and use that on the parts I want? How do you guys paint your stuff? I guess that was also my main question - how to go about doing it.

 

[GUNSICK]

That handguard is anodized that color so your never going to get a perfect match.

 

[Cleck]

I was thinking of something like this:

https://smile.amazon.com/Wheeler-Ce...keywords=wheeler+engineering+cerama-coat&th=1

Wheeler Engineering Cerama-Coat 4oz Aerosol

At least then everything else will be the same color.

 

[Depick]

Nice rifle! I’d say Embrace the variety and just get the parts you like. If it bothers you that much maybe have it cerakoted or duracoat it yourself.

 

[Cleck]

Nice rifle! I’d say Embrace the variety and just get the parts you like. If it bothers you that much maybe have it cerakoted or duracoat it yourself.

Thanks, I like it a lot, shoots great. I got everything on there, just working on scopes now. I think I'm gonna just add a 3-9x on it that I have laying around, at least until I can decide.

I would leave it as-is, but I keep seeing stuff like this:

The more I see this two-tone look, the more I like it. That's what I get for buying a used coated handguard, haha.

 

[Cleck]

Oh, and I would duracoat it or cerakote it, but I'd either have to send it out for someone to do, or get a sprayer (or someone w/ one). I'd like to do it myself.

 

[Depick]

Oh, and I would duracoat it or cerakote it, but I'd either have to send it out for someone to do, or get a sprayer (or someone w/ one). I'd like to do it myself.

Duracoat comes in a rattle can

 

[Depick]

Thanks, I like it a lot, shoots great. I got everything on there, just working on scopes now. I think I'm gonna just add a 3-9x on it that I have laying around, at least until I can decide.

I would leave it as-is, but I keep seeing stuff like this:

The more I see this two-tone look, the more I like it. That's what I get for buying a used coated handguard, haha.

I just ordered a FDE lower and I’m aiming for the two tone look as well. Their is a surprising amount of options available.

 

[Cleck]

I just ordered a FDE lower and I’m aiming for the two tone look as well. Their is a surprising amount of options available.

Yeah, there is. I was almost just going to see if anyone wanted the pieces I have to sell so I could buy the new ones, but I think I'll just buy the one can of spray. A bit less time consuming.

Duracoat comes in a rattle can

Ah, ok. I only saw the kit that needs a spray gun. $50 for a can, pretty damn expensive.

 

[Podmonkey]

I just used one manufacturer for all the furniture on the NYGF build, left all the metal black. I like the effect and its simple to do it that way. If you look close you will see the handguard is a different shade of black from the receiver. Doesn't bother me.

There also seems to be less variation in OD green shades than FDE for some reason.

 

[Cleck]

Very nice! I like it. Subtle but perfect. I'm still deciding on an optic and think I've settled on one, but every time I see a new one I'm like, "I think I'd like that too" and then throw myself for a loop

 

[GTN]

I’ve been wanting to rattle can my scary blk rifle for a while now. Already got the 3 color camo paint. I even want to do the optics. Just afraid to screw it up.

 

[Podmonkey]

Very nice! I like it. Subtle but perfect. I'm still deciding on an optic and think I've settled on one, but every time I see a new one I'm like, "I think I'd like that too" and then throw myself for a loop

The one I have is great to look through and aim with but the controls and operation kind suck.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

FDE always matches like shit. Even stuff cerekoted at the same time looks different based on different batches of aluminum.

Anytime i have a customer that has to have a perfect match, i cerekote all the parts black, and then spray the top color.

Your best chance is to spray them at the same time.

 

[GOPerfect]

Gotta love a good colored and matching AR. So many different variations.

 

[Cleck]

FDE always matches like shit. Even stuff cerekoted at the same time looks different based on different batches of aluminum.

Anytime i have a customer that has to have a perfect match, i cerekote all the parts black, and then spray the top color.

Your best chance is to spray them at the same time.

Yeah, after reading this, I'll get the paint and then paint the stock, magazine, and part of the grip. At least those will all be close enough, and I'll be happy w/ that.

@NirvanaFan found these on Amazon to apply to the magazines. I'll paint one mag and then apply this vinyl to another.

I know this one is tan, but I think it'll look fine with the rest of the gun painted.