Gunsmithing Will KG Gunkote's 2400 Gloss Black match a Grey Ghost Precision upper?

[blackops_1]

I posted this elsewhere but not getting much response, so maybe someone here remembers good old Gunkote or may still use it? Its been years since I've used it. This is my first GGP upper and its awesome, super tight fit into my lower and barrel. I trued the upper with brownell's tool a touch and it was spot on already. Now trying to paint the lower to match the upper. KG said their "High gloss black" is the closest match they have after looking at my pics below of the upper. I did a search but didn't find much for Gunkote these days since its fallen by the wayside for Cerakote and other finishes. Since I'm just doing this one item I'm trying to stay with KG if I can since I have the setup and process down pretty well IMHO.

TLDR: Has anyone used KG Gunkote's gloss black 2400 to match a finish like on the upper? Do you think it match reasonably close? Tricky to show the upper in the right lighting so I posted several. Thanks in advance for suggestions!

 

[GH41]

If you are vain enough to want a perfect match send both out to be Cerakoted. Even then they probably won't match because the Noveske lower was blasted with a much finer media than the upper. I have a BCM upper on a Mega lower. Both black anodized. The lower looks grey compared to the upper. It's the difference in texture. It doesn't bother me but i don't think this song is about me!!

 

[Wannashootit]

I still use Gun Kote for very small jobs (like a bolt, or other small part) where it didn't make sense for me to bother mixing up a batch of Cerakote; just shake it and spray.

It is an excellent coating IMO, but as a one-part, heat-cure epoxy I don't feel it has quite the hardness of Cerakote. Also, Cerakote has the distinct advantage of being able to adjust gloss/sheen with the hardener ratio which is helpful when trying to color match.

You can order swatches from Cerakote; color matching off a computer screen sucks because the color rendition isn't accurate. I think the gloss 2400 will be very close, but the anodized texture on that upper will be impossible to duplicate imo.

 

[blackops_1]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I'm not worried about it matching perfectly. None of the other AR's I've built match either. If the colors are really too far off after I paint the lower. I'll strip the upper and then Gunkote it to match also. Right now I like the way the GGP's upper looks so just trying to match it up as quick and easy as possible. And I never pay someone to do something that I can do myself. Especially gun stuff since this is fun for me.

 

[blackops_1]

Thanks for the feedback Wannashootit. I haven't used Cerakote before so there will be a small learning curve getting the mix right with the hardner most likely for me. Have read from you and others that its superior to GunKote and I believe it. But because of the forementioned reasons and saving money. I'm just going to use GK for this project.

Texture being off is fine with me. Color and in this case level of blackness is where I'm most intent on getting it right. I have one AR that the factory color scheme on the upper and lower is light purple/black and black/black if the sun hits it just right. So trying not to go there on this build. Should fix that one someday to. But we're always pursing the latest greatest project around here!

 

[blackops_1]

In case anyone is looking for Gunkote 2400, Midwayusa had the best deal. Should be here next week sometime. I'll post pics of the upper when its done. If anyone is interested in how it looks when I'm done I'll post pics for you.