ALUMA-HYDE® II Reviews & Ratings
Reviews Summary
Aluma-Hyde® II garners mixed feedback, with many users appreciating its cost-effectiveness and ease of application, while others encounter issues with nozzle clogging and inconsistent color matching, particularly with the FDE variants. Durability after curing is generally praised, though some users report chipping and flaking over time. Overall, users recommend proper prep and caution for the best results.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Application Process
70%
Many reviewers emphasize the importance of following the application instructions precisely, including thorough cleaning and allowing adequate cure time. Users highlight that successful application often requires shaking the can extensively and avoiding excessive heat when curing.
Durability
65%
The durability of Aluma-Hyde® II is frequently mentioned, with many users noting it holds up well under regular use. However, some express disappointment when experiencing chipping or wear, especially in high-friction areas.
Color Match
60%
Color consistency is a significant concern. Several users report discrepancies between the color on the cap and the actual paint, particularly with variants like Coyote and FDE. Aluma-Hyde II is described as closer to Sage or light tan rather than the expected hues.
Nozzle and Clogging Issues
55%
Numerous reviews highlight issues with the spray nozzles clogging shortly after use, leading to spattering or inconsistent application. Users recommend purchasing extra nozzles as a precaution.
Value for Money
75%
Despite the mixed feedback, many users find Aluma-Hyde® II to be a cost-effective alternative to professional coatings like Cerakote. The majority feel that it delivers adequate performance for the price, especially for DIY projects.
I love this stuff but dropped a star because of color discrepancy.
I love Aluma-Hyde, it comes out perfect as long as you follow the suggested prep and application process.
I’ve used the ODG, Magpul FDE, Coyote, and Earth Brown. Each have always come out lighter than the shade on their caps. The FDE is far too llight to match Magpul’s. The Coyote is closer to FDE but still a shade lighter. My favorite and best results are with the Earth Brown. It’s a shade darker than FDE but nothing close to its dark brown cap. It’s closer to Aero’s FDE.
Aluma Hyde II ,olive drab
If instructions are followed, project will turn out just fine. I did not use a oven ,let the sun do the job .After 7 days, I reassembled, seems durable ,so far so good!
Wish you had more instructions
Wish you had more instructions on the usage sheet about cleaning the spray nozzle or the need to buy additional nozzles. Nozzle plugged up and caused spattering and runs. Had to sand and respray. The Aluma-Hyde itself is GREAT!!
Worked Great But
I painted a bunch of gun parts, plastic and aluminum. The paint went on great. I did a second coat even though it didn
Great product but very temperamental
Steps to get a good finish when using this product. 1. Steadily shake the cam for at least 10 minutes prior to use. The hardener will separate if the product sits for more than a few minutes. You gotta shake it up for a while or your first several sprays will be nothing but hardener, and look like you spilled syrup over wjat you are painting. 2. Use paint thinner, lacquer thinner, brake cleaner, acetone, etc. on the spray cap after each use. Do this even between applying coats. If you don’t, the epoxy will clog up the spray cap and you will get a jet stream coming out of the cap on the next application. Do this EVERY time. This issue could be solved if Brownells didn’t use the cheapest spray caps out there.
Works. Used 3 times successfully
I've used this Aluma-Hyde II stuff on 3 different rifles. 1st go around was a bit of a learning curve. If you cant bake it, be prepared to wait about a week to cure. Very first use was a number of years ago on a Savage Mark II FVSR. Still holding strong. Used on another reconditioned .22 and an AR since. Only used matte black.
Can be great but you need to know what your doing.
Have used it a few times to coat my AK, AR and my G3A3 clone. If used properly with light-medium coats and given time to dry after baking it create a very good durable coat. However if you don't know what you are doing you will have to spend quite a bit of money to get a professional to fix your gun then even more doing a new coat.
Solid Choice for a coating
Used a can of Flat Dark Earth, shook it up for about 5 min, sprayed upside down for a second, sprayed a nice even coat. Cured it in the oven for about 3 hours, and then let it sit on a shelf for 3 days before I touched it again. Besides some fitment issues with my magazine release, it turned out very well.
Updated Review
Posted a review under this color not long ago talking about everything being a different shade of FDE including this OD Green. My review shows a hand guard rail painted with this and Magpul OD Green M-Lok, ladder, and hand stop...the BUIS are black. Ordered a couple more cans and tried something different. Shook the can a good 10 minutes, pre-heated the items to be painted to 200 degrees for 15 minutes, and made a bowl of really hot tap water that I set the paint can in for about 15 minutes while adding new hot water every couple minutes. Removed items from oven, painted immediately with about 3 coats across 30 minutes while putting the paint can back in hot water between coats. Then oven cured items for 4 hours at 195. The OD Green I ended up with from this was darker, not Magpul OD Green dark, but a couple shades darker than in the pic I put in this review line. Came out more like Hogue OD Green and it's a near perfect match to BCM Foliage Green.
Good Product
Great product that I'd use again. I used it on a black anodized AR-10 handguard. The product applied very easily with good coverage and no runs or sags. I applied 2 good coats spaced 15 minutes apart. The "Magpul FDE" color is a bit lighter than the actual color of my Magpul FDE stock. I can live with it but really picky gun owners may have trouble with this. The curing time is listed as taking up to 10 days to fully cure. This could be an issue for some. All things considered I'm happy with this product so far. Even if it were to scuff off, I'll just hit the handguard with some fine steel wool and recoat in the future.
