Colt M16A1 Bowman Parts Kit Build | Part 5 - Refinishing the Lower with Moly Resin

In this video, I coat the lower in grayish-black Colt Flat Moly Resin after filling in some of the imperfections and doing some surface prep. I'm pretty happy with the results given that I plan on weathering the finish at some point, even though I didn't do an amazing job.

I kind of glossed over the actual painting steps, and that was intentional for a couple of reasons - partially because it would have been difficult to get good video footage while trying to paint, and partially because it was my first time using moly resin and I didn't necessarily feel that I should be giving anyone pointers on how to apply it. And while I have used an airbrush before on a plastic scale model car body, I wasn't super happy with how it came out.

For the most part, I think that if you watch some videos on how to use an airbrush first and then try the moly resin on a test piece to get an idea of how it covers, you should be fine, even if it comes out less than perfect like mine. The main thing with a flat color like this is to do several thin/dry coats instead of only a few thick, wet coats, and to heat up your part so that the moly resin can mostly dry on contact. Parts of mine came out shiny and that's why, because I had the airbrush too close and left a wet coat. I also think my areas with a rough finish may have been from holding the airbrush too far away, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Now you see why I didn't want to go into too much detail on this haha.

Sorry if I sound whiny at the end of the video like I'm complaining about how the finish came out, I promise I'm not. It's my real-time reaction to how it looks, and I'm just yapping at the same time while I haven't fully thought about it yet. There's that saying that you're your own worst critic, and it's true for things like this, because while someone else may take a glance and say - "hey, that's pretty cool!" - I can't help but remember each step and every part that I've worked on and every mistake I made, and so the parts where I didn't nail it will always stick out to me for a while.

Anyway, next video will be barrel install and final assembly. We're almost done!

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Playlist for this build: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdk807VyeScbcpFyZlJQst3ohGgnPnnlI

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My Amazon affiliate link:
https://amzn.to/3RqOLBl

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Links to some of the tools and other stuff I use (some of these are affiliate links):

Specific to this video:
Norrells Moly: https://www.norrells.com/store/8oz-Single-Color-p401879014
Bondo glazing and spot putty: https://amzn.to/4gHq9Pp (cheaper at AutoZone)
Scotchbrite pad: https://amzn.to/4209Ick

AR tools:
Wheeler Delta Series Upper Receiver Action Rod: https://amzn.to/3WbfJ1u
Armorer's Wrench: Brownells, Midway, etc. (the ones on Amazon look cheap)

AK Tools:
Requiem Tools ak barrel press plate (Arms of America)
Requiem Tools AK barrel press ram (Arms of America)
AKBuilder barrel press kit
AKBuilder front sight / gas block support
AKBuilder trigger guard rivet jig
AKBuilder rivet drilling jig
TothTool rear rivet jig
TothTool rivet jaws for HF bolt cutters

General Tools:
Breathrough Clean (gun oil): https://amzn.to/4a6I9Ab (kinda overpriced but I have some)
Grace USA punches: https://amzn.to/3LCf6ZC
Wheeler Roll Pin Punches: https://amzn.to/46bZdCU
cheap roll pin starter punches: https://amzn.to/4f1P9Q6
DeWalt Nail Set:
- https://amzn.to/4fd2yEP
- https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-1-32-in-2-32-in-3-32-in-Bi-Material-Nail-Set-3-Piece-DWHT58018/203638542
Rubber bench block: https://amzn.to/4d4p1nf
Plastic bench block: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114484710331
vice-Grip V-Jaw locking pliers 8": https://amzn.to/3xWQxnk
Vice-Grip smooth jaw locking pliers 10": https://amzn.to/3Sg7f84
deadblow hammer: https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=deadblow%20hammer
Clamps: https://amzn.to/4fceIOw
Layout fluid / dykem blue: https://amzn.to/3C0wgi1
DeWalt cordless drill: https://amzn.to/4eP5yHX

drill bits:
11/16" cobalt drill bit: https://amzn.to/3BNn3tE

Safety Gear:
Jackson face shield: https://amzn.to/3PiGzlb
Walker razor slim earmuffs: https://amzn.to/3PcW7a7
Loop Switch earplugs: https://amzn.to/3BLJKyG
Loop Switch 2 earplugs: https://amzn.to/41MZ4Wm (newer version, I haven't tried them yet)

Camera Gear:
iPhone tripod: https://amzn.to/4bPtb0B
USB-C rechargable flashlight: https://amzn.to/3WsLNiu
Ulanzi video light: https://amzn.to/3ZNzcHe