AR Build and Dip

smedlin

Now that I have done my first rifle stock, my next (self) project is the my AR build I'm currently doing.

(And a big thanks to y'all who gave advice on the rifle stock dip. Learned a lot while doing it.)




So, I'm going to make this thread so I can ask questions and opinions.

I flip flop back and forth on what film to use, but I will probably pick up some of BB's Graffiti Gloss Clear.

According to Dinette, "normal" clear has a hardness rating of "3H". Cerakote is a "9H".

Their Graffiti Gloss is a "6H". So twice as hard as normal clear. I know several people use it it for tumblers, and now swear by it.

But then I think maybe I should use a flat clear instead...

Anyways..

I'm going to start with the Magazine(s). Mostly cause it seems the easiest and I have 5 of the 20 round ones like the in picture above.

@K2Concepts has a good video on rolling the mag, and seems pretty straight forward.




Soo.. the next thing will be the hand rail. Which I need to go ahead and start thinking about and planning. Which is the real first question comes in...

How would y'all recommend dong that? I'm thinking about running strips of tape thru the inside to seal off the holes and then rolling it.

Thoughts on that?

MidOhioHydrographics

That’s how we do it. Or use foam. The foam pipe insulation works well.

looch

@smedlin ill be following this thread ive got a couple of ars to do myself.  Plus just joined a gun club good to promote my business 

smedlin

@looch , when are you doing your AR's?

(i'm not doing the receives btw. I'm going to keep it legal without an FFL)

norcalfrank

@smedlin , if you are doing you own guns, you don't need an ffl. On the AR front rail, I would so like mid Ohio said and use the foam and roll it

PagesHydroDipping

We use a piece of 1-1/4 pvc pipe then we cut some wood strips to slide in the channels where your attachments go. @smedlin hope that makes since

smedlin

norcalfrank said:

@smedlin , if you are doing you own guns, you don't need an ffl. On the AR front rail, I would so like mid Ohio said and use the foam and roll it

You can do your OWN receivers without an FFL????

I didn't know that

DeviousDips

Yes u can do anything to your own guns @smedlin

DeviousDips

In the process of breaking mine back down as well to redo in a different film

looch

@smedlin as we speak ive got a few on the bench to be dipped. Im just doing the accessories not taking completely appart. I dont have the tools to reassemble 

MidOhioHydrographics

Yep. You can do anything to your own firearms. Except make it illegal (like cut the barrel off and make a short barreled rifle or shotgun, obscure a serial number, etc.)

smedlin

MidOhioHydrographics said:

Yep. You can do anything to your own firearms. Except make it illegal (like cut the barrel off and make a short barreled rifle or shotgun, obscure a serial number, etc.)

Soo.. here in Texas, there are no laws about "pre-owned" guns. You can give guns away, you can sell your guns to your friends, whatever you wanna do with them.

What's to keep somebody from "giving" me their guns, me painting it, and then "selling" it to them???

DeviousDips

@smedlin the ATF. Guys have tried that in the past and it doesn't work. That's how Blake Winters tried to get by and the ATF was at his door. He got his FFL and now is doing very well

norcalfrank

smedlin said:

MidOhioHydrographics said:

Yep. You can do anything to your own firearms. Except make it illegal (like cut the barrel off and make a short barreled rifle or shotgun, obscure a serial number, etc.)

Soo.. here in Texas, there are no laws about "pre-owned" guns. You can give guns away, you can sell your guns to your friends, whatever you wanna do with them.

What's to keep somebody from "giving" me their guns, me painting it, and then "selling" it to them???

Get your FFL and be done with it. Its not a big deal to get.

MidOhioHydrographics

Yeah that doesn't work. You're "engaged in the business" of modifying firearms. Don't risk it, brother. It's cheap and not very difficult. You'll get an interview where an agent will explain everything, and you have to keep a bound book of acquisition and disposition of any firearm that is on the premises. If it's you're own, just label it as "personal" or log it in/out. Not much of a hassle to prevent a felony. And being in Texas, I think it could be very profitable for you. We have a nearly endless stream of people wanting firearms coated in either Cerakote or Hydro. I get a few emails about it weekly and my only advertising is the website. Here's the form you need:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/form/form-7-7-cr-application-federal-firearms-license-atf-form-531012531016/download

You need a Type 01. I got a Type 07 so if I ever need to "manufacture" I am able. Remember manufacturing is not just making a gun from scratch. There are more forms annually and ITAR registration if you actually do manufacture. So it's not as simple as just picking one or the other, but it leaves the opportunity if I want to.

looch

@smedlin never put stuff like that on a open forum your just asking for a visit from the government 

smedlin

looch said:

@smedlin never put stuff like that on a open forum your just asking for a visit from the government 

Na, I'd rather get my FFL anyways.

Sreynolds

Go ahead and get the FFL @smedlin , nothing to it. Until then , keep it off social media and such....

K2Concepts

Sreynolds said:

Go ahead and get the FFL @smedlin , nothing to it. Until then , keep it off social media and such....

THIS!!!!!

PagesHydroDipping

@smedlin i think it cost me $200 and took about a month or so start to finish. My meeting with aft agent was a breeze. Basically just went over the laws and what they expect from you and that was it.

norcalfrank

I"m in it for close to $600, but I'm in California. It's not just an FFL for us.

WileECoyote

norcalfrank

^^^ THIS ^^^

smedlin

Ok.. so.

I did a test run with the pattern/paint choice to see how it will look.

I did one of the magazines today. Rolled it just like Jim did in his video.


I went in to flat though. Had some air lines (more than I should have). Nothing I could not touch up. Easy film to do that with.

Side note, I did take the mag totally apart. So the very bottom was a separate dip. Which.. honestly, I simply made sure I had enough "space" left when I dipped the mag itself, to quickly also dip the bottom in a unused spot.

.

smedlin

For those that do AR type dips, when you dip stuff like rails, and clear coat them how do to they hold up to having attachments placed?

Sreynolds

I have done several , haven't had a customer come back complaining yet. Normally on guns ill use cerakotes clear , but also have used a lot of BB's also.

And the clear I told u about on the phone is holding up , just haven't done the bore cleaner test yet.........

PagesHydroDipping

Tape off the section of rail where the attachment go.

smedlin

PagesHydroDipping said:

Tape off the section of rail where the attachment go.

I could see maybe leaving the Picatinny Rails undone.. but the rest of the rail in your pic is a KeyMod rail, designed to have attachments..

PagesHydroDipping

Thats what i meant tape off the picatinny section. Looks like you have one on top and bottom so just tape off both

smedlin

PagesHydroDipping said:

Thats what i meant tape off the picatinny section. Looks like you have one on top and bottom so just tape off both

Mine is pretty much just like the one in your picture. Picatinny section on top, with Keymod on the rest. I currently have 2 attachments on the underside.

PagesHydroDipping

We did those for a local ar builder. I am gonna do mine soon but im thinking of going with cerakote on mine. What pattern are you gonna go with ?