Matching Magpul FDE with rattlecans, it CAN be done!

[dpete]

Not long ago I put together a 300 BLK using a PSA complete lower with Magpul FDE furniture and a Mas Defense complete upper with a YHM 12" free float tube handguard. Since my Colt M-4 has full FDE furniture I wanted to match the 300 to it. The free float tube was flat black so I started researching what my options were as far as painting it to match the stock and grip. After plowing thru the posts on several forums I found that some people felt that Alumahide Coyote matched, others felt Alumahide Dark Earth was a better match. The general concensus among just about everyone was that Duracoat and Cerakote were both far off from truly matching Magpul's FDE. Then I found this post, http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=172592 and it started my brain gears turning. I gave it a shot and here are the results.

The YHM tube started out looking like this:
Attachment 25344

After an extensive ventilation job adding holes to it and the new paint job it looks like this:
Attachment 25345

Once I had all the holes drilled and their inner edges smoothed off I painted the entire tube with flat black high temp(1200*) grill paint, let it cure, then gave it the rattlecan FDE paint job. Just as the OP in the post I cited said, Rustoleum Dark Taupe combined with Rustoleum Oregano will match Magpul FDE if you pay careful attention to what you are doing. I warmed both the paint cans and the tube prior to painting and the tube was dry to touch in 10 minutes and fully cured to not a bit sticky in 2 days. At this point I couldn't be happier with my el cheapo FDE match.

[Airhasz]

Hows it shoot?

[FeltaDorce]

That is very nice looking work. It is one-of-a-kind, but it is subtle. I really like it.

[Averageman]

Very inovative and it looks good.

[dpete]

Hows it shoot?

I'm still getting it broken in but at 100 yards using 110gr Varmageddons, over 19gr of Lilgun in my hand loads it will put 10 shots inside a 1 1/2" diameter circle out of a 1:8 twist gov't profile barrel.

[OH58D]

Nice job. I would be interested to see how well the Rustoleum holds up after some heat and heavy use.

[Obscenejesster]

Cerakote has multiple Dark Earth Colors. I can assure you that the color they have called "Magpul FDE" is a perfect match.

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[dentron]

FYI they make spray paint mixing caps for mixing can to can:

[Averageman]

Thats kinda Gay, in a spray paint mixing kinda way.

[LewP]

Cerakote has multiple Dark Earth Colors. I can assure you that the color they have called "Magpul FDE" is a perfect match.

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It might be a perfect match or it might not. The final "color" of Cerakote depends on the ratio of hardener to paint.