A common misconception about AR15 anodized parts is that they need no care, cleaning, maintenance or other attention.
Yes, it is true that anodized aluminum is very hard and fairly chemically stable, and that it provides an excellent barrier to moisture and chemical related corrosion, especially compared to bare aluminum, but all the same, even anodized aluminum should be properly cleaned and cared for so that the finish lasts longer.
Here are some things you should know to keep your AR with anodized parts in top shape.
Do AR15 Anodized Parts Need Special Care or Attention?
Anodized aluminum has a natural barrier that insulates the aluminum underneath against the elements, including moisture, oxygen, and other chemical assailants. It also protects against sunlight and other elements.
Anodized aluminum is also very hard, which helps protect it against wear. This being said, consistent moisture, grime, or exposure to sunlight can also damage the finish.
If you allow a thick accumulation of fouling, grease, or other grime on AR15 anodized parts, eventually, the finish can break down and fade, even though it is fairly well protected.
Persistent exposure to sunlight can also eventually cause AR15 anodized parts to fade. While this is a cosmetic and not necessarily a material issue, since one of the reasons that people upgrade to anodized parts is for the aesthetic value, it is a nuisance.
This all begs the basic question: how do you properly care for AR15 anodized parts? We’ll cover that here.
How to Properly Clean and Maintain AR15 Anodized Parts
The first step in caring for AR15 anodized parts is preventing any damage in the first place. Prevent any unnecessary wear to your parts, and don’t leave the gun exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as that can cause the finish to fade, as indicated.
Leaving grease, grime or fouling on AR15 anodized parts can also cause them to become damaged in the long run, so it’s best to remove this as soon as it becomes noticeable. Because anodized aluminum is so chemically resilient and physically durable, and also as a product of the fact that it exhibits very high permanent dry lubricity, much of the time, all you’ll need to clear off the surface is a bit of warm water and a clean, dry rag.
Microfiber rags are excellent for removing grime from the surface of anodized parts because they are excellent at lifting away debris. Moreover, you can often clean these parts without any detergent, but if a little is necessary to break up or lift deposits, that’s suitable as well.
Just be careful about using any types of solvents on anodized parts as they can damage the finish. Harsh acids and alkaline cleaners can also damage the finish of AR15 anodized parts, and should not be used.
Also, while anodized parts are highly resistant to moisture, you should never store the gun if any of its parts are wet. A wet gun will introduce moisture to other parts such as the steel barrel and inner components that are far less resistant to water than anodized parts. This will result in rust or corrosion, and in eventual failure.
Another note is that you should never use abrasive agents, like cleaners, or steel wool, sandpaper or emery cloth to clean anodized parts. These will scratch the finish on the surface and, once scratched, chemical agents will be able to penetrate to the aluminum underneath where they will cause corrosion that will be much harder to treat if you just left the anodized surface intact.
How Often Should You Clean an AR15 with Anodized Parts
The gun itself should be cleaned after every trip to the range, and every time it was exposed to the elements. So, even if you took the gun to the range (or hunting) in rain, snow, fog, or other precipitation, but didn’t fire a shot, the gun should still be cleaned.
However, this is really restricted to the bore, gas system, and action. If we’re talking about cleaning the anodized parts themselves, they will likely need to be cleaned and detailed much less frequently.
A good schedule to keep is every 6 months or at least once a year. For most intents and purposes, this should be more than enough. However, if your anodized parts get dirty ahead of schedule, it’s a good idea to clean them more frequently.
Shop AR15 Anodized Parts Here
Looking for new AR15 anodized parts to upgrade your rifle? You’re in the right place. Check out our collection of anodized parts here, along with build kits and assembled uppers that have anodized parts, and if you have any questions about anything we sell or want to know more about anodized part care or parts compatibility, get in touch with us at Sales@MCSGearup.com before you buy