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.
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....
Good when it works
I ordered two cans of this the paint. The first can worked great. The second can didn't work. The paint would sputter out a little. I tried cleaning the nozzle and tried other nozzles but nothing worked.
Much lighter than the color of the cap
Much lighter lighter than the color of the cap, spraying matte clear over it makes it look like semi gloss.
Color nothing like the cap
Looks like battleship gray, no tan or green added.


