[Zundfolge]

I just picked up a whole mess of 30rd AR-15 mags that are used, but appear to be in good functioning order ... they are just a little scruffy looking.

Is there an easy/inexpensive way to pretty them up? If I re-blue them, do I need to remove the blueing thats on them now or just re-blue over the existing blue?

Is there a good "home blueing" kit out there?

I've got 10 mags but may sell half of them to cover the cost of aquiring them, so I need enough stuff to refinish 5 mags.

[DMK]

Have you ever tried Gunkote? www.kgcoatings.com (http://www.kgcoatings.com/gun-kote/application.html)



Alumahyde II from Brownell's gets good marks from the guys on the FALFiles forum, but I've never tried it myself.

[Splat Shot]

Check out this thread about the folks at Georgia Precision at AR15.com.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=24&t=149623

[Atticus]

I've used the Perma-Silk. It's easy and works great. It is addictive though. You'll find yourself wanting to re-finish every mag in sight.:D

[Matt_B]

I've sent all my AR mags to Mac's "Antique Restorations" :) http://www.shootiniron.com/. He uses GunKote as well and his pricing is fair (about $6/mag in lots of 24 including disassembly and reassembly). He's got quite a few colors to choose from (black mags look cool, IMHO, with a black rifle) and his turn around time is pretty quick (2 weeks door to door). I might end up sending him my Remington LTR for a camo job this winter.

[Mr. Chitlin]

I have also used the Perma-Silk from Georgia Precision and it works great. The mags look like brand new when you are done.

[Badger Arms]

The only way to truly restore the finish on AR mags (pre-ban) is to use Perm Slik G. This is a paint-on Dry-film lubricant that is original mil-spec. You won't get your mags looking any closer to new without this stuff.

http://www.georgiaprecision.com/cart/items/Magazineparts.htm
http://www.em-coatings.com/products/1.0.cfm?page=product_display.cfm&mtype=04&spec=16&scode=00&search=Brand%20Family&prod=PermaSlikG

I've also heard (from Armalite) of a product called Sandstorm 27A. I've never seen the stuff, but they suggest it.

[Badger Arms]

Chitlin:

That's PermaSLIK not PermaSILK. I've made the same mistake. Doing a Google search under PermaSlik should give you a few more sources.

[Monkeyleg]

I've already bought a can of PermaSlik, and have a bunch of mags to refinish...someday.

But I've also bought some 30-round Colt AR mags that are new in the bag, just for the fun of it. They have a slightly "stippled" feel to them. Is that they way they're supposed to be?

[Mr. Chitlin]

Badger,

Thanks for the correction!! You know, I've had that can for probably a year now, and used it several times, and never noticed I was calling it the wrong name.

Learn sumpin' new every day!!

See ya.

[gun-fucious]

Everything you wanted to know about DFL but were afraid to ask:

From TM9-1005-319-23

If scratched or worn shiny in
spots, disassemble and re-move
all lubricant from sur-face
with dry cleaning sol-vent
(item 16, app D). Wear
rubber gloves (item 18, app
D) and use a wash pan (item
24, app D) to apply solvent.
Let parts dry thoroughly.
Roughen the surface using
abrasive cloth (item 1 3, app
D) and apply solid film lubri-cant
(item 16, app D). Allow
16 to 24 hours to dry before
handling.

Solid Film Lubricant (SFL) is the only authorized touchup for the Ml 16A2 rifle and M4/M4A1 carbines and
may be used on up to one third of the exterior finish of the weapon.

CAUTION
Solid film lubricant is to be used only as an exterior surface protective finish and touchup If solid film
lubricant comes in contact with recoiling parts or functional surfaces of the rifle, remove immediately
by washing with technical dichloromethane.

CAUTION
Do not allow solid film lubricant to flow into front sight post threaded well.

(2) M16A2 Rifle. Minor loss of finish (shiny spots, nicks, scratches) on exterior surfaces of the barrel and flash
suppressor shall not be cause for rejection of M16A2 rifles located In hands of troops at training centers Large shiny
surfaces, nicks, scratches, etc., can be restored by the use of solid film lubricant (Item 21, app D) Rifles (small arms)
missing in excess of one-third or more of the exterior finish resulting In an unprotected, light reflecting surface, are
considered candidates for overhaul The only authorized level of maintenance to phosphate finish small arms Is depot.

9150-01-260-2534
LUBRICANT, SOLID FILM:
(81349) MIL-L-23398
16 OZ (473.18 ml) spray can

Lubricant, Solid
Film Air Drying,
MIL-L-23398
For use on steel, titanium, or aluminum bearing
surfaces where moderate wear life and corrosion
protection are desired
S-749 Type II 12 oz Aerosol Can

heres the Mil spec:
http://www.slickote.com/Specs/L23398D.pdf

Slickote M2 has been submitted for QPL listing to Mil-L-23398. Low VOC (<135 g/l), Lead & Antimony Free. Air Dry_ /Navy, NATO

and the answer to the real question:

What can i buy that meets the spec?

DESCRIPTION
Sandstrom #238 Solid Film Lubricant is a lacquer-like coat-ing
containing molybdenum disulfide and corrosion inhibiting
pigments. This Air Curing material prevents corrosion, gall-ing,
seizing and fretting. It is a low-friction coating which
exhibits long wear life when operated at -320 0 F to +300 0 F
under loads exceeding 100,000 psi.

#238 SOLID FILM LUBRICANT
AIR DRYING
SERIES E735 and E635
APPROVED UNDER MIL-L-23398D
http://www.sandstromproducts.com/Tigs/e735.pdf

http://www.sandstromproducts.com/ordering.htm

Armalite sells Sandstrom number 27A for refinishing AR15 Magazines:
http://www.armalite.com/library/techNotes/tnote43.htm


quote:
DFL is available from some hardware stores, but is normally hard to find._ ArmaLite sells Sandstrom DFL for $26 per 13 ounce spray bottle._ Shipping costs are considerable because a $15 HAZMAT charge applied by UPS, so it’s best to combine orders with friends to spread the cost over several canisters._ DFL has a short life-expectancy, so should be used before the posted expiration date.




27A SOLID FILM LUBRICANT
AIR DRYING
SERIES E736 and E636
APPROVED UNDER MIL-PRF-46147C

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Sandstrom 27A Dry Film Lubricant is a lacquer-like
coating containing molybdenum disulfide and corrosion
inhibiting pigments. This Air Drying material prevents
corrosion, galling, seizing and fretting. It is a low-friction
coating which exhibits long wear life when operated at -320
0 F to +300 0 F under loads exceeding 100,000 psi. 27A
should be applied where baking with the longer wearing,
heat cured Sandstrom 9A or LC-300 is not desirable.
www.sandstromproducts.com/Tigs/e736.pdf


heres what Aramalite says:
MATERIALS REQUIRED:

*

Dry Film Lubricant, Sandstrom number 27A, black
*

Acetone for degreasing
*

Latex gloves, lint-free cloth, and newspaper or other backdrop for handling, cleaning and spraying.


REFINISHING INSTRUCTIONS:_
First, disassemble the magazine and degrease it with acetone._ Complete removal of the old DFL isn’t needed._ What is needed is complete removal of all grease from the magazine and smoothing out the remaining DFL._ Don’t touch the cleaned surface with bare fingers after cleaning, or the new DFL will come off.

Second, spray-paint the magazine shell with DFL in a clean, dust-free area._ Shake the DFL well and frequently._ Paint the inside of the magazine first, then the outside. _A very thin layer is enough._ In fact, over-thick coatings can interfere with the fit and reliability of the magazine._ It’s easiest to spray-paint one side of the magazine first and let the magazine dry overnight._ Repeat on the other side. Degrease and spray-paint the floorplate as well._ When finished, tip the canister upside down and clear the spray tip.

Perma Slik:
http://www.emcoatings.com/services/solidfilm/basics.htm
Solid film coatings are applied to a variety of aircraft, weapons, vehicles, and delivery systems. Most meet tough government Mil specs for corrosion resistance. They also resist wear and act as an anti-seize agent, preventing many types of corrosion.

Application Example: Box Magazines - 30 Round Friction, Wear, Corrosion
Perma-Slik C MoS2 and graphite dispersed in a resin system with a solvent carrier

[DarkStar]

http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/howtorefinishyoumagazines.msnw

[Badger Arms]

That site is not loading the pictures for me. It's a shame because I WANT to see the pictures!

[gun-fucious]

did you see F4YR's pix?
http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/falaraksrefinishedmagazines.msnw?Page=Last

email Forest and he can prolly fix the bad image links on MD-ar15

F4YR might have the same article on the PA-AR15 site
http://groups.msn.com/ThePennsylvaniaAR15ShootersSite/

[Badger Arms]

I finally found the pics and article on another site here:

http://www.advantexcom.net/~quino/mags/