Browning aluminum

Trying to get a browned looking finish on an aluminum trigger guard that's currently painted black.

Stripped all the steel parts and browned them with plum brown, but now the guard stands out and looks pretty crappy.

Internet search wasn't much of a help; everything I got was people talking about how to remove accidental browning from aluminum and not how to get it there.

You can anodize aluminum and dye it any color you want.

Maybe try this for one small part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jFN3l_mrKk

This is how it is usually done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMdb0nhTE4A

The only way I know to finish aluminum other than anodizing is to use birchwood casey aluminum black. Obviously, that's going to be black.

I'll take a look at the videos posted, but I'm looking for less uniform of a finish than anodizing typically provides.

Not saying it won't work, just seeing if there are treatments that give a more mottled finish - without boring splotchy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JustinR

I'll take a look at the videos posted, but I'm looking for less uniform of a finish than anodizing typically provides.

Not saying it won't work, just seeing if there are treatments that give a more mottled finish - without boring splotchy.

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test similar parts and don't clean them as well or even apply a grease to limit penetration? or scuff and paint it. cerakote?

Maybe this will help! :-)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CuYw1XgDxkQ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Misery Loves Shotguns

The only way I know to finish aluminum other than anodizing is to use birchwood casey aluminum black. Obviously, that's going to be black.

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Don’t use it on a Mossberg 500, eats it, doesn’t make it black.