camouflaging a rifle
- Thread starter Pushrod
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The correct type/brand depends on what you want out of the paint job. Do you want it easily removable or more durable? Professional looking or is function more important than form. Is price a concern?
I did this in about 3 minutes with two cans of the cheapest spray paint I could find. Up close it looks pretty crappy. But you know what, it works, and that's what I was after.
I did this in about 3 minutes with two cans of the cheapest spray paint I could find. Up close it looks pretty crappy. But you know what, it works, and that's what I was after.
There are several threads about this on the www.snipershide.com forums with paint recommendations, how-to advice, and photos.
Steven Proshop
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i had a friend drop a camouflaged rifle and it slid 25 yards or so down a ridge into some brush. after countless hours of searching, we never found it. he want back to that spot several times after that looking for it, and i don't think he ever found it. if i were to paint it id get some Dura-coat.
stoney1666
Member
get a metal detechor
Speedo66
Member
If durability is a factor, all the more reason to go the tape route.
Works well. Buy the ones that leave no residue, replace it if it tears, retain any collector value.
Works well. Buy the ones that leave no residue, replace it if it tears, retain any collector value.
HorseSoldier
Member
Your basic Krylon stuff from Walmart will do the job pretty nicely, if you don't mind having to overspray occasional knicks and scrapes as the paint job wears.
Depends on the terrain. Here in AZ it is a fairly desert/brush environment with green, tan, black, and grey being the common colors. We usually do a base color then airbrush in stripes then go back and airbrush the base color into the stripes to break up any lines/patterns. Its a lot of work and looks a little funny in pictures, but in normal lighting it works VERY well.
pgeleven
Member
heres a sample of the tape everyone is chatting about. its simple and not too much of a PITA to clean up
http://www.afmo.com/McNett_CamoForm_Self_Cling_Camouflage_Wrap_p/215-01413.htm
http://www.afmo.com/McNett_CamoForm_Self_Cling_Camouflage_Wrap_p/215-01413.htm
bps3040
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AK103K
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- 7,610
I've been using Testors Military model paints since the 60's. They offer just about any color you need to match or create any camo you want. They can be completely removed if you decide you dont like it or want a change. After I get the pattern done, I usually give the gun a couple of three coats of their clear flat lacquer. It flattens evens the whole paint job and offers some added protection from wear and solvents. Testors will come off if you leave cleaning solvents set on it. Cleaning isnt an issue unless you do. They are durable, even under hard use. I' have guns that have had the same paint job for over 15 years now.
Here's a couple I've done...
My first attempt at "multicam". Colors are a little off, but I'm zeroing in.
Even with the colors "off", it still blends into and takes on the surrounding colors, just like the actual pattern, and including it when laid on a set of cammies.
A "flecktarn" AK. (Its actually the same gun in the first pick, its been painted and repainted about 4 or 5 times now)
These shotguns were painted about 15 years ago and have been used and abused ever since and have bounced around in a couple of my trucks over the years.
Same gun on the bottom in the pic above with the paint removed and new furniture added. Paint was removed with Gun Scrubber and a little steel wool.
Here's a couple I've done...
My first attempt at "multicam". Colors are a little off, but I'm zeroing in.
Even with the colors "off", it still blends into and takes on the surrounding colors, just like the actual pattern, and including it when laid on a set of cammies.
A "flecktarn" AK. (Its actually the same gun in the first pick, its been painted and repainted about 4 or 5 times now)
These shotguns were painted about 15 years ago and have been used and abused ever since and have bounced around in a couple of my trucks over the years.
Same gun on the bottom in the pic above with the paint removed and new furniture added. Paint was removed with Gun Scrubber and a little steel wool.
theotherwaldo
Member
The odd thing is, most game animals are color blind while most hunters can see most colors.
This fact should change some of your color choices, in the name of safety!
This fact should change some of your color choices, in the name of safety!
whiskey
Member
AK103K
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- Dec 27, 2002
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I was always worried that things might rust under the tape. (never had anything rust under paint) I tried tape when it first started showing up and it was more a PITA than anything else to apply and keep on. I would hope they have improved it in that respect.
Looks often has little to do with the effect. The whole idea is to break the outline of what your trying to hide. As was mentioned, most animals dont see in color (I do believe birds do though) As far as hunting goes, the most effective I've used, year round on anything, has been the tan ASAT. (the shotguns above are that pattern) That pattern works pretty much anywhere and takes on the surrounding colors well which adds to its effectiveness. Its disruptive pattern, even in areas where you wouldnt think it would be effective, is amazing. Even in a city environment with concrete black top and brick, it works very well to make you look like something other than a person. They may be looking at you, but it doesnt register just what it is they are looking at, especially if your not standing.
The biggest advantage I think, is its ability to keep your outline broken up at a distance. Many of the other patterns are fine in specific terrain or foliage up close, but as soon as you move into the open at any distance, they quickly loose their effectiveness and your outline quickly becomes visible. This is especially true of the darker patterns.
I've been playing with Multicam a lot lately and it seems to work very well in pretty much any terrain or environment too. Its ability to "chameleon" is amazing and it sometimes appears to be another color all together.
Looks often has little to do with the effect. The whole idea is to break the outline of what your trying to hide. As was mentioned, most animals dont see in color (I do believe birds do though) As far as hunting goes, the most effective I've used, year round on anything, has been the tan ASAT. (the shotguns above are that pattern) That pattern works pretty much anywhere and takes on the surrounding colors well which adds to its effectiveness. Its disruptive pattern, even in areas where you wouldnt think it would be effective, is amazing. Even in a city environment with concrete black top and brick, it works very well to make you look like something other than a person. They may be looking at you, but it doesnt register just what it is they are looking at, especially if your not standing.
The biggest advantage I think, is its ability to keep your outline broken up at a distance. Many of the other patterns are fine in specific terrain or foliage up close, but as soon as you move into the open at any distance, they quickly loose their effectiveness and your outline quickly becomes visible. This is especially true of the darker patterns.
I've been playing with Multicam a lot lately and it seems to work very well in pretty much any terrain or environment too. Its ability to "chameleon" is amazing and it sometimes appears to be another color all together.
I don't have ALOT of experience with painting guns (I've painted a total of two firearms and only one was camo), but I used Alumahyde II camo paint and Bulldog Arms Flecktarn Camo stickers on it and I was pretty pleased with the results. It's good enough for just a general bang around brush gun for shooting hogs anyway.
http://catalog.bulldogarms.com/
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1117
If you're really good with it you'll get results like this.
I'm not quite there yet though.
http://catalog.bulldogarms.com/
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1117
If you're really good with it you'll get results like this.
I'm not quite there yet though.
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AK103K
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Aluma Hyde II is great stuff, but its pretty much permanent. About the only way its coming off is with a bead blaster.
Works great for a light color base coat if you want to change patterns. I've used it this way and removed the Testors on top of it without the AHII coming off or being affected.
I've panted a bunch of stuff with it, with excellent results. Everything from guns, stocks/furniture, scopes, knives, even a bicycle frame. Its pretty much impervious to chemicals and holds up well to hard use.
Works great for a light color base coat if you want to change patterns. I've used it this way and removed the Testors on top of it without the AHII coming off or being affected.
I've panted a bunch of stuff with it, with excellent results. Everything from guns, stocks/furniture, scopes, knives, even a bicycle frame. Its pretty much impervious to chemicals and holds up well to hard use.
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