hello, just out of curiosity…
I have an older AR-15 lower receiver all scratched up… was thinking of the bead blasting it. If I left it in the Raw and the oil it. Would it do okay or will eventually start to oxidize.
i use a permanent marker
Its aluminum. I would hit it with a good clear coat.
It’ll start oxidizing as soon as you finish bead blasting it. The acid in your skin eats through most oils rather quickly.
Find an Upper that’s all scratched up to match - or buy one and scratch it yourself.
“Battlefield Pick Up” is a thing people pay really good money for. You’re already halfway there.
It’s Ultimate Range Cred to be packing a well-worn AR nowadays. This is a rare opportunity to DGAF and be cooler than anyone in the next bay, no matter what they brought.
Don’t they make a Birchwood Casey aluminum blackening dye like stuff. I just seen it when picking some supplies.
Probably permamarker in 15 dollar stick! 
I’ve used it - Aluma-Black works best with new, un-oxidized (well, minimally oxidized) aluminium. It has the tendency to “turn white” if left on too long. It does work best for touch-up, as you’re suggesting. But it’s not an invisible fix, and takes a little practice to get best results.
if it were me i’d do the battlefield pickup… or i’d rattle can it..
Yeah sounds almost like bluing that I never was very good at applying!
after i sand blasted it, ended up applying alodine treatment to lower. to stop any form of oxidation, and ordered alumahyde FDE, will get soon….
Technically alodine is a form of corrosion but mixed with a cadmium layer that results in a way way slower corrosion process. Weird, I know.
Cerekote it, sniper grey with 20% Tungston
blend
