AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/27/2007 10:15:40 AM EDT
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I have been surprised as to how many low quality paint jobs that i have seen on ARs lately. The work put into them is usually superb but the actual paint leaves alot to be desired. Using regular sprat paint on a gun that is worth around a $1000 is not the brightest thing to do. Why put an $8 paint job on your gun when LCW sells an entire paint kit for $50? The spray paint jobs are ruined by heat, they chip, and will definitely end up peeling. I know you can turn out a good looking paint job with Krylon but the durability is what I am talking about. If anyone has tips on how I can be proven wrong and they know how to make a spray paint job durable let me know. I am aware of the specialty spray paints sold by some companies. I am only referring to the regular enamels like Rust Oleum, Krylon, and such. |
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OK heres what we do 1. Go to wally world and get the od green,desert tan and black. Its the stuff that comes in the camo cans. 2. Strip your rifle down and spray it with brake cleaner. I use brake cleaner instead of carb cleaner because carb cleaner will sometimes leave a oily film. 3. Put your stripped down ar in the oven for 10 or 20 minutes at the lowest setting. 4. Pull it out and spray your first coat on all the metal and plastic parts. 5. Put back in oven for a few minutes. 6. Then take it out and spray your camo pattern. 7.Put back in oven. We have done several weapons this way and dont get any chips when done. When they chip it is usually because you havent got it cleaned first or you spray too many coats of paint on before the first coat has dried. The reason I put it in the oven first is to bake all the oils out and it dries the first coat when its being sprayed on. Hope this helps some. |
There are plenty of people that like the idea of being able to spray their weapon, but still remove it at a later date. Krylon is cheap, quick, and effective. A camo weapon isn't altering its concealablity by having chips, worn off paint, or solvent wiped areas. While its not ultra durable, it still works for people. |
I know a few people that do this, one a highly rated 1911 smith that actually does the KG/Ceracoat/ high end finishes. On one of his own AR's, he just sprayed it down with flat earth colors to match the desert environment he play's in and it worked out nice. The wear on the paint gives it even a nicer look to me, but I am fond of the look of well used firearms. Read used, not abused. |
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I guess it's all about what you consider the purpose of the rifle to be. Mine are tools, and as such I paint them to match the environment I'm in. DURACOAT looks pretty but I don't want or need something so permanent. If the purpose of the things were to look nice in the safe or armory rack so people at the range can oooh and aaah over it then that's the path I'd pursue. Frankly some of the patterns I've seen folks paint on their weapons are ridiculous. My rifles get used in the field, so Krylon Fusion camo colors are plenty durable enough. I don't really care if it dinks or chips, I can just touch it up. I guess it's a "form over function/function over form" thing. |
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I agree that Krylon on any weapon is perfectly fine. My weapons are tools to be used, cleaned, and used again. While I enjoy impressing people with a good paint job; I don't cry if anythings chips, scratches, or wears off. It just gives me a chance to clean everything up and repaint it in a differnet scheme. Over the last 4 years, I've repainted mine a dozen times. If I ever want to go back to a "Black Rifle" it only takes a little acetone. The krylon has probably protected the finish over the years as well. http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/uYv8CHn_.VTu/__sr_/be54.jpg?tkn=phALNzFBu1giLy.t&saveas=DSC01142 http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/uYv8CHn_.VTu/__sr_/9217.jpg?tkn=phALNzFBQ5WWLV1.&saveas=arg15 http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/uYv8CHn_.VTu/__sr_/a216.jpg?tkn=phALNzFBiK3xGC53&saveas=ARG-15+a |
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how is that for a krylon job ? from member blcouch www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=313186&page=1 |
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I use a brush and acetone and little elbow grease, it gets all the old paint out. I think someone mentioned brake or carb cleaner; if you use a aerosol can of the stuff, it's even easier, since it will put pressure in all the nooks and crannies to clean the old paint out. So you can go back to black. It's up to you if you go back. |
Well, you know what they say.... {groan} |
| I think my post has been misunderstood. I was not worried about how pretty my rifle is. I do not want to put a paint on my weapon that will chip because then it will not be as protected. I also like the used well look on a weapon but I dont like the "I sprayed my gun with Rust Oleum in the Wind and now the paint on the barrel is peeling. |
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I did one of my m4gerys in krylon and it held up well for the most part. When I noticed it was worn down to black i touched it up. You will be doing enough layers that the rifle will be protected and as far as the barrel peeling...mine never did. It changed color a little but thats understandable given how hot it gets. My last build was done in duracoat for a base and then I will apply krylon for a break up camo over the top. The best of both worlds 
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| I see no point in spray painting a $1000 gun with $2 paint. why not just go with the stuff made to paint the gun. IMO it's better to spend a little more $ upfront and have a nice looking weapon. just because something can be done doesn't mean that it should be done. |
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The only paint I have ever used on a weapon is Bowflage and Krylon. When I camo a weapon it is for tactical purposes NOT a fashion show. I could care less about what others think about it. When I was still using taxpayer owned weapons I would strip and paint the rifle a couple times a year to conform to the theater that we were working in. Durability was a secondary concern. As far as "protection" a spray painted AR is no less protected from the elements than a non-spray painted AR. You are not stripping the park or anodizing before you spray. You are just painting over the factory finish. Just try to remember when you criticize that some people could care less that the weapon cost $1000+. To them it is a tool, nothing more, nothing less. |
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