How Do I Get My Paint Job to Look Like This?

[HGM22]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi8AYrCfiEA

Let's not derail this thread with the content of the video. I'm just interested in what techniques were used to achieve that paint job on the AK. Said another way, I've seen people use stencils on their paint jobs, but his looks like its just splotches here and there (maybe on top of a base coat). Is this how to do this paint scheme; paint a base coat and then add blotches?

 

[AK103K]

I always start with a base coat, usually the lightest color in the paint scheme, and then go from there.

Ive used stencils, brushes, and just the spray can itself to get whatever effect I was looking/hoping to get.

I would think in the case in your link, he just sprayed the "bloches". You can get varied results and effects by holding the can at different distances.

Id suggest getting the paints you want to use, and get a 2x4 or something similar, and practice on that until you figure out how best to get the desired look.

This is my one AR that I did in a sort of Multicam. I sprayed the whole gun in a base coat, and then just took sheets of printer paper, cut random shapes with an X-Acto knife, and held them loosely off the gun as I sprayed.




Same gun on its background....

 

[M-Cameron]

that paint job is pretty simply......its only 2 colors and can be done pretty easily.

you first start with a base coat of light tan....then after that coat is down, you grab your grey/ green and hold the can about 2 feet away and lightly dust the second color on in blotches where you want the color.

shouldnt need any stencils

 

[Tirod]

There are various "stencils" used in a camo job - natural materials like grass or leaves which leave the base color and are outlined in the contrasting color. Others use netting, which applies the dappling that sunshine creates thru the holes in leaf canopy.

One finesse point is to use at least three colors in the base coat which helps break up the guns outline even further at the expense of the painter having to use the opposite colors in his detailed overlays.

One important point of prepping is that there's no advantage stripping the anodizing off - it's HCIII usually and the best commercial grade primer possible. Another is to mask the smaller holes off - it's picky detail work but the gun runs correctly with no paint buildup clogging detents and small moving parts (and you don't need to ask how I know.) It's much more difficult to fix later, prevention is your better course.

Which colors and in what order is the artistic part - takes practice to get the understanding and some experimenting. Once you start and then see others work online it begins to make a lot more sense.

Trying to copy Muliticam is likely advanced level work, the pics above make it look easy. I'd been tempted to just glue fabric onto the larger areas the way it was done in Vietnam. Very retro and a alternate method - it doesn't scuff back and develop patina, but on the other hand, patina wearing down to the original anodizing adds to the effect. To delay that add a coat of matte clear and the final look remains a lot longer.

 

[Crowcifier666]

Prep is key, as in disassembling and separating parts, scuffing up surface, taping off where you don't want to paint, etc.

I agree with starting with the lightest color as the base coat, and work out from there. I just rattle canned my 870 before duck season and I think it came out alright.






I was trying to imitate ATACS-FG. I started with primer, then light tan, OD, and dark splotches over that, then I used a sea sponge for the real dark spots. Mist over after splotching with you second darkest color maybe other lighter ones after that. The misting over the dark spots creates depth and really makes the job.

I love duracoat but using this technique is an expensive endeavor (multiple cans of EXPENSIVE dif. color paint). The krylon is not as tough and will wear. My thoughts after this project were to dura coat the base color, and rattle can on top as the spray paint wears, or as I decide to change camo pattern/makeup.

Good luck, practice on a test piece before you go for the real deal.

ETA: if painting polymer, prime with adhesion promoter. it can be found at auto zone, really helps the paint stick to the plastic.

 

[HGM22]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I'm just gonna spray it OD Green with Brown and Grey splotches. I don't want anything real well-defined, just a very blended look. I also want it to wear since I think it adds character.

 

[strambo]

You are on the right track. I don't know your environment, but in general err on the lighter side. You can always go darker with shadows or rubbing dirt on something, but it is really hard to make something dark, lighter. So if for your environment you are trying to choose between FDE and OD for the base color, go FDE.

 

[rcmodel]

That paint job in the video looks like you could stand back about 2 feet with a couple of rattle-cans of any paint, in most dull colors, and do a better job!!

I'm not impressed at all.

rc

 

[Traffer]

I always start with a base coat, usually the lightest color in the paint scheme, and then go from there.

Ive used stencils, brushes, and just the spray can itself to get whatever effect I was looking/hoping to get.

I would think in the case in your link, he just sprayed the "bloches". You can get varied results and effects by holding the can at different distances.

Id suggest getting the paints you want to use, and get a 2x4 or something similar, and practice on that until you figure out how best to get the desired look.

This is my one AR that I did in a sort of Multicam. I sprayed the whole gun in a base coat, and then just took sheets of printer paper, cut random shapes with an X-Acto knife, and held them loosely off the gun as I sprayed.




Same gun on its background....

Last year I bought a quart of epoxy paint; matte finish, the exact color as the base coat here, for $1 on a mis-mix cart. I had no idea of using it on a gun. Just bought it because of the deal. I didn't like the color but again for a dollar? About a month ago I was given a "beater" 16 ga Shotgun that someone had put camo duck tape all over. I peeled off the tape to find a gun in really bad finish. Now I have a solution! I'm going to use the dollar paint to start the camo process on my free gun. P.S I tried to watch the initial video on this thread. The guy was so arrogant and foul that I had to turn it off.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

How Do I Get My Paint Job to Look Like This?
Patience. Trial and error.
This is one of my son's paint jobs: