Element AK reciever Material and Bluing-painting

[Mitchell12]

Hey gang, Just wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of metal the element reciever is made of. I bought one and installed in and have been enjoying it. But I can only think it would be that much better if it was Blu'd instead of painted. Can this be done? will it work?

[ancorp]

It is my theory that it is composed of shredded newspapers, sand, and PVA glue.

I found that the Canadian tire bluing rusts up on them instead of blackening, as do some other brands. My suggestion to you is Aluminum Black by Birchwood Casey, available at Bass Pro Shops. Don't expect a perfect finish or anywhere near it, but it's great for a used look. Same finish I used to create that "Rusty" AK a long time ago.

[Mitchell12]

Originally Posted by ancorp

It is my theory that it is composed of shredded newspapers, sand, and PVA glue.

I found that the Canadian tire bluing rusts up on them instead of blackening, as do some other brands. My suggestion to you is Aluminum Black by Birchwood Casey, available at Bass Pro Shops. Don't expect a perfect finish or anywhere near it, but it's great for a used look. Same finish I used to create that "Rusty" AK a long time ago.

Darn, I'm really not much for the used look, I don't mind scratches and such but only if they actually happened, Not put on. Is that ak on the boards anywhere to see?

[Forever_kaos]

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=57469

If you look in the AK thread I posted pictures of my blue'd AKM too

[Thenooblord]

the element bodies are made of zinc iirc, and the kraken plastic bodies are tougher than them...

[Mitchell12]

Oh wow, That's quite acceptable. I was thinking of the damn ugly ones that look like someone left them in a sand blaster. Is their any difference into doing it on this material? The only thing I've blu'd is some old barrells of deactivated Enfields.

[Mitchell12]

Originally Posted by Thenooblord

the element bodies are made of zinc iirc, and the kraken plastic bodies are tougher than them...

I highly doubt that, I don't have a kraken but my element body has been completely awesome for the money I paid for it. The paint was way to thick in some spots though. I'd never go back to anything plastic. I suppose I should go with an element Sight block too so they blu the same right?

[Conscript]

Originally Posted by Thenooblord

the element bodies are made of zinc iirc, and the kraken plastic bodies are tougher than them...

Zinc ALLOY. Zinc is too brittle a metal alone to be used in pretty much anything, it's got the same breaking properties as..... cheese.

[Relja]

AN ICS AK Bolt has and will break a piece of your Element metal body.

[Mitchell12]

Originally Posted by Relja

AN ICS AK Bolt has and will break a piece of your Element metal body.

Ok, Thanks?

[Thenooblord]

with ANY element body on ANY brand AK, racking the charging handle will break off a part of the body at the front, because element bodies are made of cheese

[Amos]

Yup.

Element bodies should be avoided at all costs.

[pusangani]

apart from the aforementioned bolt breaking the front tab, I've never had any issues with element bodies, they're great and are more accessible than the other brands.

[Thenooblord]

and they dont always fit... dont forget that part pus
on my body there was a 5mm gap between the battery tray/charging handle and the front tabs

[Qlong]

Blued Element AK body with Aluminum Black by Birchwood Casey, most of it rubbed off after gaming it. Not really bluish, the finish was more of a black powdery oxide which rubbed off.