What's the Cheapest/Best Way to Camoflauge a Rifle?

[Adam123]

I have recently started to entertain the idea of painting my rifles and just finished my first project (using Krylon). I really enjoyed it, learned a lot about my rifle via disassembling (trigger, underfolder, etc), but am not a huge fan of the durability of the finish. I've been told about DuraCoat from a few friends, but it is quite expensive. As with anything, I am sure that there is a viable alternative that is less expensive, but don't really know of those products since I am fairly new at this. So, what I'd like to know is what products are out there that are comparable to DuraCoat, but are less expensive. Originally, I posted this in the gunsmithing section, but that section is slooooooooooooow. So, I'll post in this section as I always get great feedback from the people that hang out in rifle country. Anyway, thanks in advance for any assistance.

For the heck of it, here's my AK that I did recently. This is my first attempt at camo. It's not extraordinary, but I plan on getting a lot better. I really like the way the black parts contrast from the lighter portions of the design. This particular rifle will look better once the dark earth grip and forend are on it:

 

[acmax95]

A local guy uses a product from Brownell's (Alumahyde?) to camo guns. He does a great job and will be doing a rifle for me and a shotgun fot my dad. The stuff can't be too expensive because he only charges around $50 to camo a gun.

 

[Al Thompson]

Krylon is the least expensive and the nice part is that it can be repaired if scuffed for pennies. Duracoat, Gun Kote, etc., etc., are much more durable, but much more expensive to repair if needed.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Krylon in various colors.
Just make sure all oil and grease is removed before spraying.

What you did looks fine!
Camo it for the colors you think you will be most using that rifle around!

 

[CraigC]

Brownells Aluma-Hyde II works great and comes in a spray can. However, proper prep is critical if you want it to stick. Thorough degreasing followed by blasting with 120grit aluminum oxide is best for proper adhesion. Don't get impatient, allow the recommend time to pass for curing.

 

[Tirod]

Automotive fast dry paint. You can get color matched 1/4 or 1/2 pint samples in cans for less than $20 from any auto color shop. Mask, brush, spray, or roll on, they dry quickly, and regular thinner will strip them to change up. Use Matte Clear Krylon over the top to protect them as a scuff guard.

I matched the Foliage Green furniture on the AR I built, and it's all one color now, no silly black anodized receiver.

Cheap, color matched instead of "it's not Burger King, this is what you get." No baking, high dollar expense, and easy to fix if the battle worn patina and improved camo isn't your favorite.

Oh, don't sand off the existing surface treatment, if the paint doesn't stick, you'll get rust pops just like under the floorboards of the old family car. Anodizing, parkerizing, even blueing is a far better primer than bare metal, and IS the primer of choice for many fabrication projects. It's already there, just use it.

 

[Art Eatman]

I wanna say, "Camo paint," just SOOOOO bad...

 

[chrt396]

The best way to camoflauge the rifle is to :
A. Submerse in water
B. Roll around in dirt

DONE!! Cost...$0

Sorry...I'm feeling fiesty today. It's friday

 

[Adam123]

Thanks for all of the feedback. After doing a lot of reading and watching a fair amount of videos, I've ordered a few cans of Aluma-Hyde II. I plan on doing a similar design on another AK with the Aluma-Hyde.

 

[rugerman]

Why camoflague? If they are close enough to see your rifle-they're in range!

 

[Adam123]

I am not sure who "they" are, but am doing it for fun and aesthetics... figured that I'd turn my crappy looking WARS into a somewhat desirable rifle.

 

[sansone]

nice job adam ..
and thanks for the pics

 

[dprice3844444]

only prob if you put it down and walk away,will you be able to find it again?

 

[P5 Guy]

Burlap? Tie some bits a foliage in with the burlap.

 

[DMH]

When you say camo, everyone thinks paint or applied finish. I like what you did with your ak, but I'll mention what I use for my ar15 which I use for coyote. I live in Minnesota and White was the first color I tried. It is horse tape. Vet's use it to wrap ankles on horse. It will not stick to the gun and leaves no residue. It sticks to itself. It is easy to put on and take off. Can be put over, around and through anything. After hunting use the white will even get dirty in spots that even helps more with the camo affect. When spring comes around its easy to remove. It comes in all kinds of colors. I have found black, brown, gray and white. If it's your style I've even seen pink. purple, red and yellow in the Fleet/Farm stores. The stuff is cheep at under $2.00 a roll. One roll will do three guns.

David

 

[sarduy]

I wanna say, "Camo paint," just SOOOOO bad...

hahaha it work great for a quick camo job...

 

[sarduy]

only prob if you put it down and walk away,will you be able to find it again?

there is a story about a man who did a camo paint so good that he let it down and never found it again... legend said he's still looking for it.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[357_]

The best way to camoflauge the rifle is to :
A. Submerse in water
B. Roll around in dirt

DONE!! Cost...$0

Sorry...I'm feeling fiesty today. It's friday

When I read the question all I could think of was that dork from the Gander Mtn commercials, I think we're on the same page!

 

[madcratebuilder]

Thanks for all of the feedback. After doing a lot of reading and watching a fair amount of videos, I've ordered a few cans of Aluma-Hyde II. I plan on doing a similar design on another AK with the Aluma-Hyde.

Aluma-hyde works well, prep and a long drying time are key. Order the extra nozzles for it, you well need them.

 

[spleify]

Not camo, per say but I painted it with Krylon

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I use model paint on my hunting shotgun. Don't care about rubs, scratches, and wear away. Just add more to it, change a color, pattern etc.

Lots of color choices with model paint...

 

[Sky]

Friends went hunting all decked out in Camo. One friend by the name of Ed walked about 30 steps and froze. Everyone froze in their tracks too trying to see what he was looking at??? After a long pause Jim asked Ed what do you see? Without moving anything Ed said in a hushed voice, " Nothing I just wanted to know if you guys can see me"?

 

[Mike1234567]

I just hung mine on a statue and let the pigeons poop on it. Now it just looks like part of the statue.

 

[tarosean]

When you say camo, everyone thinks paint or applied finish. I like what you did with your ak, but I'll mention what I use for my ar15 which I use for coyote. I live in Minnesota and White was the first color I tried. It is horse tape. Vet's use it to wrap ankles on horse. It will not stick to the gun and leaves no residue. It sticks to itself. It is easy to put on and take off. Can be put over, around and through anything. After hunting use the white will even get dirty in spots that even helps more with the camo affect. When spring comes around its easy to remove. It comes in all kinds of colors. I have found black, brown, gray and white. If it's your style I've even seen pink. purple, red and yellow in the Fleet/Farm stores. The stuff is cheep at under $2.00 a roll. One roll will do three guns.

Its called Vet Wrap by 3M.

Never thought about wrapping a gun with it. Might have to try it out one day.

 

[dubbleA]

Cheapest is Krylon. Better is Cerakote or Duracoat. Best is what ever fills your needs. What works for me might not work for others.