Painting an AR - AR15.COM

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Painting an AR (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 3/12/2018 12:07:39 PM EDT

What up AR community. So I'm in the processes of deciding on how if I want to paint my AR and if so what color/camo pattern. I have access to an airbrush so I'm going try and use that. Im thinking of making either a solid flat dark earth or a sneak skin.

Any suggestions and have any of you tried using an air brush rather than just a spray paint can?

Posted: 2/21/2018 7:51:38 PM EDT

[#1]

Just rattle can the damn thing! The purpose is too camouflage the gun, not win some beauty contest. When you wear it off, re-paint it.

Posted: 2/21/2018 7:53:30 PM EDT

[#2]

There is a whole refinishing forum in the armory section. Take a look in there man. Would link you but I’m mobile

Posted: 2/21/2018 9:33:44 PM EDT

[#3]

HERE

Posted: 2/21/2018 11:31:07 PM EDT

[#4]

Thanks for the heads up I'll check it out

Posted: 2/22/2018 1:29:19 PM EDT

[#5]

aervoe is all you need.

Posted: 2/22/2018 1:32:09 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
aervoe is all you need.

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This. I’ll also offer krylon flat camo for ease of availability locally. Have used both, I think krylon applies smoother but aervoe is a more robust formula. Cheers

Posted: 3/6/2018 10:51:44 PM EDT

[#7]

Figured Id update this post because why not?

Posted: 3/7/2018 1:30:29 AM EDT

[#8]

Rattle can and stencils?

Posted: 3/7/2018 2:29:43 AM EDT

[#9]

Nice pattern!

Posted: 3/7/2018 9:29:42 AM EDT

[#10]

Good ol Rust-Oleum and a mesh from a laundry bag lol. Call it arts and crafts for men.

Posted: 3/7/2018 9:55:02 AM EDT

[#11]

Nice job OP!

Posted: 3/7/2018 10:32:22 AM EDT

[#12]

Atta boy, looks good

Posted: 3/7/2018 10:44:40 AM EDT

[#13]

Looks good you did it right OP!

Posted: 3/7/2018 10:56:46 AM EDT

[#14]

Looks good

Posted: 3/7/2018 11:45:54 AM EDT

[#15]

Did you get any overspray on your car?

Posted: 3/7/2018 11:50:46 AM EDT

[#16]

Lol nah it wasnt my car. I did it outside and hung it on a hook.

Posted: 3/7/2018 2:45:00 PM EDT

[#17]

Looks really good. And a lot of people on here have some nice paint jobs.

But like someone said, it does beg the question. If the point is to camo, do you really gain anything with the fancy jobs over just spraying the dang thing willy nilly? For camo sake? I guess for workmanship and enjoyments sake, a lot can be said for a nice paint job. But to me if the point is to camoflauge it, I could care less how fancy it is.

Posted: 3/7/2018 3:08:30 PM EDT

[#18]

Well I suppose the point of the camo is to fool the eye and break up the lines and black color of the rifle. I like the sneak skin because it was simple to do. The sneak skin pattern makes the rifle,IMO, breaks up the lines on the rifle well combined with alternating dark and light contrasts. Just a preference on my part.

Posted: 3/7/2018 3:20:24 PM EDT

[#19]

It does look good. I'll give you that. Lots of good ones I've seen people post on here. I would think bigger stripes and just down right big blotches would really be better for breaking up the outline any more than a solid color though. If you look far away at the snake skin pattern, it doesn't really do anything to the outline of a the gun. Kind of like some girls shirts might look pink but when you get up close it's actually white with smaller red dots.......

Posted: 3/7/2018 4:06:16 PM EDT

[#20]

This is Cerakote I did several years ago

Attached File

Rattle Can:

Attached File

New hallway tile pattern:

Attached File

Posted: 3/7/2018 4:12:02 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
This is Cerakote I did several years ago

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/324355/IMG-0160-474630.JPG

Rattle Can:

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/324355/IMG-0750-474631.JPG

New hallway tile pattern:

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/324355/IMG-0618-474633.JPG

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Those look great. How challenging was doing the Cerakote yourself?

Posted: 3/7/2018 4:29:11 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

Those look great. How challenging was doing the Cerakote yourself?

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I worked at auto body shops all during high school and a few years after, so I know how to prep and paint. It was easy for me, but enough of a pain to the point where I just do rattle can now. Unless you have an old oven you don't mind using for gun stuff for the rest of its life, a media blaster and the proper spray gun and or air brush, I would advise against it. If you know how to properly prep and have all the equipment needed, it is stupid easy, just takes time. Cerakote can be unforgiving if you try to cut corners. Nutnfancy has a great video on how not to Cerakote. Cerakote has a great video on youtube that takes you step by step through the entire process

Posted: 3/7/2018 4:58:57 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Good ol Rust-Oleum and a mesh from a laundry bag lol. Call it arts and crafts for men.

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That’s all you need.

Posted: 3/7/2018 6:27:12 PM EDT

[#24]

Three cans of paint, an hour or so and viola'...badness.

LMT

Posted: 3/7/2018 6:43:57 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
Three cans of paint, an hour or so and viola'...badness.

LMT

View Quote

Posted: 3/7/2018 8:27:29 PM EDT

[#26]

These look great, keep em coming!

Picture of it hanging from the metal wire we strung up across the yard while putting on the base. Worked perfectly!

Posted: 3/7/2018 9:14:20 PM EDT

[#27]

It will come out good

Posted: 3/11/2018 10:39:36 AM EDT

[#28]

Attached File

Posted: 3/11/2018 10:42:22 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/53733/IMG_1949-478506.JPG

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I really like that. Im guessing you used OD as the base?

Posted: 3/11/2018 11:07:30 AM EDT

[#30]

I suck at posting pics but I recommend aervoe sand and earth brown.
https://i.imgur.com/a/t7xUK

Posted: 3/11/2018 12:12:59 PM EDT

[#31]

Don't understand the love for the laundry bag finishes other than ease or laziness.

Posted: 3/11/2018 12:15:30 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
Don't understand the love for the laundry bag finishes other than ease or laziness.

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Stop not liking what I like! "Laundry bag" ftw!

Actually I used a work bench topper "grippy" cloth for the effect.

Posted: 3/11/2018 1:53:04 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:

Stop not liking what I like! "Laundry bag" ftw!

http://i.imgur.com/rdNo0sG.jpg

Actually I used a work bench topper "grippy" cloth for the effect.

View Quote

Really like how this turned out.

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:22:13 PM EDT

[#34]

im in PA. it actually started out arvoe dark earth. then greens, blacks etc. it looks cooler in real life.
i love it for PA. its my go to gun. started out as lets slap some cheap parts together and paint them, then it went to need Colt
barrel , this that. its a great shooting accurate firearm.
that paint holds up really well to handling, oil cleaners etc. i carry it all over the place in the woods.

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:24:55 PM EDT

[#35]

Attached File

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:28:22 PM EDT

[#36]

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Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/53733/IMG_8554-479124.JPG

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How many times have you had to re-aply? I kind of like the worn pint look so I don even know If ill end up redoing it after it wears.

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:28:59 PM EDT

[#37]

Attached File

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:31:20 PM EDT

[#38]

didnt have to touch it up yet. kinda surprised. we laid many coats , colors over colors. got kinda carried away lol.
none of it has worn off. maybe a little around the pistol grip. the arvoe stuff holds up.

Quote History

Quoted:

How many times have you had to re-aply? I kind of like the worn pint look so I don even know If ill end up redoing it after it wears.

View Quote

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:34:01 PM EDT

[#39]

recently repainted mine with some rattlecan.

cheap, fast and easy to fix when it starts to finally show more black than paint again.

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:36:32 PM EDT

[#40]

just paint it up. adds the personal touch. just do it so it blends where you normally go.
i did my holster also

Attached File

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:39:47 PM EDT

[#41]

Attached File

Posted: 3/11/2018 8:40:51 PM EDT

[#42]

dont forget to shoot them up, no safe queens.

Posted: 3/11/2018 10:56:29 PM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:
recently repainted mine with some rattlecan.

cheap, fast and easy to fix when it starts to finally show more black than paint again.

https://i.imgur.com/BXVJdBe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yAVbjqM.jpg

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You forgot to paint your scope!!!!

Posted: 3/12/2018 1:15:44 AM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:

You forgot to paint your scope!!!!

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just got it in on friday, havent had time to

Posted: 3/12/2018 8:04:07 AM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:

just got it in on friday, havent had time to

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Going to be getting a razor Gen 2 E for mine and haven't decided if I'm actually going to paint it..

Posted: 3/12/2018 8:28:41 AM EDT

[#46]

Unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure that you will never sell an optic, I highly recommend that you don't paint it. Once it is painted, it is very difficult to sell it for anywhere near your asking price.

Posted: 3/12/2018 12:05:08 PM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
Don't understand the love for the laundry bag finishes other than ease or laziness.

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Looks cute up close but at a distance it all would sort of blend into one color anyway not providing a break up effect. I think a lot of camo is designed to look good up close and in the store.

Posted: 3/12/2018 12:12:50 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just rattle can the damn thing! The purpose is too camouflage the gun, not win some beauty contest. When you wear it off, re-paint it.

View Quote

This. Throw some ferns and leaves and shit on it for some good effect if you want to look cool

Posted: 3/12/2018 8:09:22 PM EDT

[#49]

Quoted:
What up AR community. So I'm in the processes of deciding on how if I want to paint my AR and if so what color/camo pattern. I have access to an airbrush so I'm going try and use that. Im thinking of making either a solid flat dark earth or a sneak skin.

Any suggestions and have any of you tried using an air brush rather than just a spray paint can?

View Quote

Is 'Sneak Skin' anything like snake skin?

This was done with a rattle can (not mine, but it's freaking awesome)

He has a tutorial burried somewhere towards the front of this thread

Posted: 3/13/2018 3:32:12 PM EDT

[#50]

Quote History

Quoted:
Looks cute up close but at a distance it all would sort of blend into one color anyway not providing a break up effect. I think a lot of camo is designed to look good up close and in the store.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Don't understand the love for the laundry bag finishes other than ease or laziness.

Looks cute up close but at a distance it all would sort of blend into one color anyway not providing a break up effect. I think a lot of camo is designed to look good up close and in the store.

Most good modern camouflage patterns have both a macro and micro pattern.

I agree that many paint jobs, mesh or not, often end up looking better up close, but blend to a uniform color further away, defeating the camouflage intent, but that is an individual application issue, and does not condemn the whole concept.

The micro pattern can do a number of things, and can break up the solid lines that often come with just painting stripes or blotches, particularly when using stencils.

Camouflage too is something you can do "right" or "wrong," you want to have enough contrast to break up the outlines so the weapon doesn't look like a solid blob at a distance, but you also don't want to have too many unnatural hard edges.

~Augee

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Painting an AR (Page 1 of 2)

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