I have a Brownells BRN-601.  The stocks are a very ugly green.  I want to do the two layer correct green over mottled brown and have the under layer wear through in places.  Can someone who has done this walk me through the process, including paints needed?  Thanks in advance.

if you're going to go through the problem to paint, it might be better to use a type D stock.  it'll "feel" better than the repro.  my .02

http://www.retroblackrifle.com/

Go to the link, click on "build guide" at the top, scroll down to "faux 601 hand guards. I believe texsquirrel was the author. Good luck and have fun.

Contact John Thomas at Retro Arms Works. He is the man to do the job. It will cost you a few bucks, but it will be money well spent to get the authentic look you seek.

[email protected]
801-441-2801

I've thought about getting the brown furniture from brownells and do a sort of camo rit dye treatment. That way, you could get the color deeper and give the appearance of mottling in the polymer itself. Then a nice coat of correct green paint and it should wear pretty naturally and look the part.

Anyone have contact info for kurtVF so I can obtain 601 paint?

Here is what I did... Archive so pics are blurry, will try to post some more.  Sold the stock so getting ready to paint another one - rebuilding my 601

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/601_furniture_paint_job_example___for_SousEstime/123-590066/?

To all,

Here’s how I did mine. To get to the correct tint of green, I went to Home Depot and bought a quart can of Hunter Green Rustoleum enamel and a can of their Rusty Metal Primer. They are thicker than anything in a spray can.

I mixed 1/2 can of the primer in with 1/2 can of Hunter Green. This proportion gave me a very drab olive green/brown. By mixing 1/2 can of the primer with a full can of the green, I got a very nice dark olive green. You can mix to match your desired shade.

Because Rustoleum is owned by Valspar, I went to the automotive finish supplier and bought some Valspar catalyst to add to the base dark olive green. The catalyst hardens the surface and cures it in short order. The finish is much more resilient than anything in a spray can.

I also used the same process to paint my Brownells Brown colored AR proto stock, grip and front handguard but used only the rusty metal primer. It turned out to be a nice eggshell/semi gloss finish. I also bought a spray can of plastic adhesion promoter and sprayed the plastic parts (after using a grey scotchbrite pad to scuff it up) just prior to applying the finish with my Iwata spray gun.

Lastly, I use 3M 36058 rubbing compound to get the level of sheen I was after. It doesn’t contain abrasives but works great unlike ordinary rubbing compound. Little work to take down the finish.

The final finish sticks better, is more durable, cures damned fast and because Valspar owns Rustoleum, there is no compatibility issues whatsoever. I will never go back to spray cans alone again.

Next post: I describe my Bakelite technique...

Desmo

Photos of finished pieces

JT (Retro Arms Works) stock set he did for me a few years back.
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I would send it out to retro arms works. But if you do do it your self. Do your brown paint then you can use a chipping medium, hair spray works to. Its a scale modeling technique where you put a base layer, cover it with chipping medium
And then spray your top layer and when it dries you hit the spots with a brush and water and it chips the paint.
You can choose how heavy or light you want the wear

Just curious but what dit he charge for it to have the weathered finish?
Cuz ill be sending mine to him soor and he said $75 for the OD

According to his list:

$75 - Apply "weathered" 601 green over brown mottled finish (buttstock, handguards, and grip). USPS Priority Mail shipping is additional. I can run around $10-$15 for what you are sending. You wil better served paying John for the work. It is impeccable.

Here's one I did, sitting on my Unc's old web gear:

It's been so long ago I don't remember. I will try looking through my old emails to him to see if I can find you a answer.

Here mine I did with Testors

https://www.amazon.com/DARK-GREEN-34079-3oz-Spray/dp/B004QPBJ82/ref=pd_aw_sbs_21_2/135-5974133-4597755?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004QPBJ82&pd_rd_r=842d5907-8fc4-4008-8d7e-5ed94d3213c2&pd_rd_w=P7WV8&pd_rd_wg=Iihil&pf_rd_p=7634a029-8abd-4b0b-8f94-f57b19e6b0e4&pf_rd_r=HEXFPTXXK0W5VJF7VE0N&psc=1&refRID=HEXFPTXXK0W5VJF7VE0N

That is one good looking paint job

John used to charge $50. He has had to go up on prices on some things. For instance, his P&W is now $50. Still, at $75 for the painting of the stock, handguard, and grip, it is well worth it.

John now charges $75 for the stock set. Well worth it

That looks great

I painted a mix of Kona brown and almond paints, masked with paste wax, then sprayed with Testors FS 34079.

That finish looks great!  It truly looks like it chipped in service.  Good job brother!