Painting my rifle (desert camo)

[primalmu]

I did not but they are actually etchings. I can make them out as it is but I'm going to get some of those paint sticks people use to fill in the etchings on AR lowers and fill in the numbers on the turrets.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Looks very nice. I've done a couple rifles with either Krylon or Rustoleum and have been happy with the results. When I get paint chips it's usually from impacts that would have scratched or removed anodizing or parkerizing.

But I would 8th or whatever the comment about the scope. Etchings or not, most people would tape off the markings of the scope and leave them black so you have the original factory markings easy to see. If you ever decide you'd prefer that, acetone should remove the paint without damaging the anodizing below, as long as you don't use so much it gets inside the scope where there are rubber seals.

 

[AK103K]

I'd personally have used a more permanent/durable product for painting and I'd have painted the stock/action/scope separately. The problem with getting thick, cheap paint inside your action is that its going to make it very sticky, unless you plan on stripping/cleaning it out.

Actually, cheap paints really are pretty durable and not at all sticky (unless youre using them wrong). They are usually removable too, which has its pluses.

Ive used Testor Military Flats model paints, almost exclusively, since the 60's, and always had great results. I have one shotgun that has been painted with them for around 25 years now, and while it shows some wear, its still in great shape. I also completely stripped another shotgun painted at the same time a few years back now, and the paint came off with a little work, and the finish underneath looks brand new.

The permanent paints are nice too, and make a good "base", that can be painted over and have the over coats removed later. Down side is, they are often "permanent" and wont come off short of a bead blast.

Personnaly, I would have started with a dark color if you are doing a desert camo in a Leaf pattern.

I found out early on, that painting the "base" in one of the lighter colors usually works best. Then on progressively with the darker colors. The dark colors arent an issue on the lighter base, its the opposite that is usually the problem.

If you look at most patterns (and there will always be exceptions), the lighter colors tend to be the more predominant in the pattern. The light colors tend to be more chameleon, and take on surrounding colors/hues better. The darker colors job is the "break up".

Break up is often really all thats needed, and really works well, even if the pattern doesnt match or look like it would. Take the old ASAT pattern. Its light, basic, and ridiculously simple, but has always been one of the best patterns Ive used, when hunting game. Works pretty darn good on people too.

I can't comment until I see the completed paint job but I do know I would not have painted the scope and rings in place. I'm just funny that way...

I suppose any of this is personal preference, which is always fine. I used to break everything down and paint things individually, but rarely do now. The job seems to come out much better when you do it all at once. If things like scope, selector markings, etc are important t you, they can easily be masked or repainted in colors you like.

Finished the paint job today. It may not be the best paint job, and may not be the best desert camo, but I think its pretty darn good for a first try.

Looks great, and it was a good first try.

Now just try and fight the urge to start painting everything.

 

[tactikel]

Nice job!! You have way more guts than I have. I really like the idea of making the color pallet match your local conditions vs "Mossy Oak" etc.

 

[LAGS]

Very Nice job.
A little Green for here in Azizona, except for the Catalina Mountains by you or up on the Rim closer to where I am at.
But it does break up the rifle form real nice.
The Desert Camo that I did before was done with a Medium Brown base, then stripes of a lighter Olive just fogged on.
Then I held some thin Fern plastic Leaves as a stencil and basicly did more stripes fogged on with a Desert Sand and a Wheat Color.
So when it was done, the rifle was Light color with Light Brown an Olive leaves kind of showing thru, but Not clear leaf outlines.
The striping of the base coat with the Olive made each leaf pattern have multiple colors in it. Giving it Depth and a 3D effect.

But your rifle is not to different of a pattern than my .308 Tactical

 

[primalmu]

Yes, its definitely darker than I had intended (although the filter on my camera made the whole picture darker than it actually appears... just compare the light areas on the pic of the finished rifle to the first pictures of just the base coat). That being said, I think it will certainly suffice for a while. Although I may use this rifle for coyote hunting initially, it will mainly be a range gun. I'll probably end up getting a .223 Savage, at which point I'll get to try this all over again.

 

[Valkman]

I like it, don't think I would try it as it would probably be a disaster. Just don't wear the fishnet hose now.

 

[primalmu]

My fiance was joking that the woman in the panty hose isle probably thought I was getting her help for a cross-dressing outfit.

 

[Valkman]

But joking aside, very nice job.

 

[Outlaw Man]

That looks really good! I've repainted guitars with Krylon and been pleased with the results, but I haven't tried it on a gun, yet. Maybe someday...

Ive used Testor Military Flats model paints, almost exclusively, since the 60's, and always had great results. I have one shotgun that has been painted with them for around 25 years now, and while it shows some wear, its still in great shape. I also completely stripped another shotgun painted at the same time a few years back now, and the paint came off with a little work, and the finish underneath looks brand new.

I've never thought of that. I've used it for years on model cars and planes, but I've never thought about trying to remove it. What did you use to take it off?

 

[Collector0311]

Well done!
I too just ventured into the DIY paint job arena.
A $3 can of paint aimed at a $2k plus rifle will really bring on the pucker factor! Congrats on mustering the cajones to get it done

 

[AK103K]

What did you use to take it off?

Hoppes and Gun Scrubber mostly. Steel wool and tooth brushes come in handy as well, depending on the original finish.

It takes some work, but you can normally get it all off.

These two were painted about 25 years ago using Testors. The one on top is still wearing that paint job, and its still quite serviceable, even after bouncing around a couple of work trucks over the years.



The one on the bottom was used a little more and shows some more wear on the paint, but still held up well to steady use. I stripped it a couple of years back, and changed out its stock. Looks like this now....

 

[Outlaw Man]

Cool. Thanks for the info.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

primalmu,
Not bad at all and the camo pattern seems to match the rock formations you put the rifle against. Nice work...