Black rifle question

[radioman]

I'm planing on doing an AR build but I'm very new at the build it yourself process. Back in the early 90's this was either unheard of or I was to into my hunting rifles.

My question is what makes the black rifles black? I've been watching the how to videos on various web sites and some of the parts seem to go from anodized to powder coated to just black paint? Does the color process vary from vendor to vendor? Are any of these coloring processes reproducible at home?

 

[mac1911]

hard anodize<sp? and possible moly teflon coats? Parkerize finish on steel parts

 

[P2A]

Depends on the vendor, Mil-Spec is Magnese Phosphate Coating.

 

[mac1911]

This is the most complete at home type kits I was able to find. these are not really stove top type kits though.

http://www.caswellplating.com/

I did a home re parkerize or black phosphate finish on my CZ 82.

 

[rickster58]

This is the most complete at home type kits I was able to find. these are not really stove top type kits though.

http://www.caswellplating.com/

I did a home re parkerize or black phosphate finish on my CZ 82.

Look into Lauer Dura-coat and Dura-Phos they are easy to use and produce very durable, extremely tough finishes.

 

[vellnueve]

I believe that they hard anodize and then coat... but not sure.