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ALUMA-HYDE® II Reviews & Ratings

ALUMA-HYDE II

The special feature of Aluma-Hyde II (and the reason for its development) is its increased resistance to bore cleaners, solvents and other cleaning chemicals, even trichloroethylene. Today’s family of fast, aggressive bore cleaners really do a terrific job getting dirty gun bores sparkling clean, but they can wreak particular havoc with any other finish they contact. After full cure, Aluma-Hyde II proved solvent-proof to all but the most aggressive, copper-removing bore solvents. Aluma-Hyde II is formulated with a hard-curing epoxy base that contains additional, high-density pigment for a durable finish that sticks to all properly prepared aluminum and alloy surfaces, steel and plastics - it’s great on synthetic stocks. Aluma-Hyde II is available in a variety of colors to help the gunsmith match the vast number of applications found in the average gunshop. Aluma-Hyde II dries to the touch in only minutes and reaches full cure in about a week. Absolutely no primer coat is required for a tough, durable, abrasion-resistant, rustproof finish that blends beautifully and compliments all gun finishing applications.

Each can of Aluma-Hyde II is now supplied with a Clean Out Nozzle, required to be used before each use of the paint to prevent clogs in the Nozzle and Pickup Tube. Aluma-Hyde Clean Out Nozzles allow nearly unrestricted pressure to flow through the pickup tube and nozzle to clear out any semi-hardened paint that may be in the pickup tube. Once clear, replace with the original spray nozzle and start your project. When used correctly, this will ensure a smooth, sputter free paint application free of clumps or inconsistencies.

Additional Clean Out Nozzles can be purchased as singles, 430107431, or in a 12-pack, 084179004. Clean Out Nozzles are not intended for finish spraying.

SPECS: 12 oz. (340 g) aerosol can.

INSTRUCTIONS:

PREP THE SURFACE: NO priming required on clean, bare metal or anodized surfaces. Surface should be dry and free of oil, wax, dirt, loose paint, and any other contaminants. Painted surfaces should be washed with a cleaner degreaser. If cleaning parts with abrasive blasting, make sure blasting media is oil- and silicone-free. Test a small area for color compatibility and adhesion.

• Unpainted aluminum: Abrasive blast to achieve desired surface look/texture.

• Unpainted steel: Remove rust by sanding or abrasive blasting.

• Fiberglass: Sand lightly, then wash with soap and water or clean with a quality cleaner degreaser.

• Wood: Seal or fill surface. ALUMA-HYDE II can be applied over polyurethane and varnish finishes but not over linseed oil or tung oil finishes.

PREP CAN: For best results, use between 70° F and 90° F (not below 65° F). Shake can vigorously until the ball inside rattle; then shake for 2 minutes more to achieve correct color and texture.

INITIAL CLEARING SPRAY: Before spraying work surface, point can in safe direction and depress valve. Press until spray is consistent in color and consistency. The cleanout nozzle can be used in this step for previously used, or even new cans. The cleanout nozzle is used to ensure any residue or buildup is easily ejected from the can. Simply pull the standard nozzle upwards off the can and press the cleanout nozzle down in its place (be careful to point can in safe direction when pressing downwards, as can may discharge spray).

Cleanout Nozzles are included with each can of Aluma-Hyde purchased from Brownells and is available separately. Search item number 430107431.

SPRAY IT ON: Hold can approximately 12” away from the work surface and fully depress valve on top to start the spray. Shake can periodically during application process.

LET IT CURE: This is a critical step in getting a truly tough, long-lasting finish! If a second coat is needed, it should be applied within 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, Aluma-Hyde II must be allowed to cure 10-14 days before recoating.

• Dries to a light touch in approximately 10-15 minutes. Wait 24 hours or more before extensive handling.

• Complete cure time caries depending on film thickness, temperature, and humidity

• Cure time can be reduced by circulating warm air (90°F max.) or placing part in direct sunlight.

• Aluma-Hyde II can be “speed cured” by baking the part for 3.5 hours at 195°F. Allow part to cool before applying another coat.

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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.

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Start with caution

A word of caution: after you're through shaking the can, do a test spray before you get anywhere close to your project. I didn't and got the biggest glob of paint goop you ever saw all over my project.

by TERRY M. on September 10, 2023

Verified Purchase

Was this review helpful? 1

Mystery Color

I ordered Magpul FDE and received Magpul Tan. (If you’re ordering this product, you likely already know the hoops you have to jump through related to getting as close as possible to Magpul’s FDE.) It took two emails before I got a call from Brownell’s customer service. The rep was extremely nice and told me the most recent lot of Aluma-Hyde (in Magpul FDE) had been mis-labeled as Magpul Tan. Sheesh. The product works reasonably well, being one step above regular spray paint, as long as you follow the directions. However, if you’re looking to get closer to Cerakote, there’s better products out there. Ultimately, Magpul FDE is the right color to “match” Magpul products.

by BRANDON R. on August 12, 2023

Verified Purchase

Was this review helpful? 0

needs to be a little darker

This isn't OD green, it matches up pretty well with Ranger green which is lighter in shade. Next to Magpul or real traditional Vietnam era web gear OD green it is way too light. Darken it up brownells, make it better.

by Steven on August 15, 2022

Verified Purchase

Was this review helpful? 6

Sort Of Green

Have used this paint before in the FDE and Earth Brown colors. Now having tried the OD Green I can says this from actual experience, all 3 are basically different shades of FDE. Earth Brown is a shade of FDE tinted brown and and OD Green is a shade of FDE tinted green. From the picture I attached you can see this OD Green paint, cured in an oven per directions (4 hours 195 degrees), with Magpul OD Green rail ladder, M-Lok 2 covers, and rail hand grip and they are much darker. Before doing the hand rail in the pic, I experimaneted with the OD Green by doing a half hour high heat cure at 475 degrees followed by 3 1/2 hours at 195 degrees and it turned out very matte dark brown and not at all green, unfortunately didn't take a pic. So would I use it again, probably, it's not expensive and durability is decent. Is it OD Green, well it's not Magpul OD Green that's for sure. 3 Stars because a somewhat green tinted FDE isn't OD Green and that's what I wanted. Limited functuion con because it's limited to not really being OD Green.

No Rattle

Bought 4 cans of paint, 2 FDE, 1 Coyote and 1 Desert Tan. The Desert Tan can will not rattle. Either there is no ball in the can or the paint is bad. I've emailed Brownells twice to get advise on whether to send back or try to use as is. I haven't tried to use it until you respond. Note: haven't tried the other paints yet but they do rattle.

Wrong color

Definitely not brown of any shade. This paint is grey. Definitely not matte either. This is semi-gloss for sure. Not sure, but apparently Brownells doesn't read the reviews, or they don't care that their color descriptions are so far off. Other than that, I think the quality is good, but the fact that the color descriptions are so far off us kind of a put-off.

Wrong color again

This isn't a matte or flat finish, it's a semi-gloss. It's also alot lighter than magpul dark earth. Quality of paint itself is good, but color is a good bit off what it should be, and the fact it isn't flat is also kind of a put-off.

Good stuff, but doesn't match Magpul FDE

I bought a little $35 Black and Decker toaster oven to heat this to 300 for an hour. It came out beautiful and really is impressive. It doesn't match Magpul FDE in the slightest though. I wish I would have known it didn't match, but I got it to work just fine. I am not one of those posers who think my gun needs to match, so I just painted it to break up the lines a little more and it looks great. It seems pretty durable so far and I can't complain other than the color, but FDE is known for being hard to match, so there is that. Bottom line, quality coating, but no color match to FDE.

not the same color as cap

great product overall but dont go by the cap color, i sprayed this color and coyote brown next to each other and you cant tell them apart, had i known that i wouldnt have purchased both colors. they both are the color of the coyote brown cap!!

DISAPPOINTED Not a True Magpul FDE

When I found this paint I was really excited. I had a black stock and lower that I wanted to match with a FDE upper. Had previously tried some tan rustoleoum but it was too light. So after prepping and painting. I was really disappointed that it seemed to be the same light tan when compared to the upper and legit magpul fde mags. Would not recommend if you're trying to match MAGPUL FDE parts/accessories. What a bummer....