I was reading through this thread:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_123/707414_Retro---Vietnam-Ersatz-DMRs-and-Sniper-Rifles---Photos-.html
...and noticed the scoped, bipod-equipped A1 with that crazy tigerstripe paint or wrap on the stock. I am not a retro purist- I'm willing to occasionally include modern improvements while overall maintaining the retro function and aesthetic- and am planning on building a DMR of some sort this summer. This rifle is bang-on the aesthetic I'm going for- does anyone here have ideas for how to apply this camouflage pattern to the stock and handguards? Hydrodip? Paint? I'm just fishing for opinions here.

They offer that pattern in different colors so almost any hydrographics shop can do it for you.  Someone really skilled at Cerakote might be able to mimic it but I'd bet hydrodipping is the best way to go.  Colt was offering rifles from the factory in that pattern a few years ago, not sure if it's still an option.  Personally, I think it looks fantastic and would look great on a retro build.

That's not paint. It's wrapped in tiger stripe camo fabric and held with tape.



Hydro dipped would be a great modern way to go.^^

If you look carefully at the photo, you can see that the stock is wrapped in tiger stripe cloth - like they just cut up a tiger stripe shirt and used the material on the stock

Attached File

Yep, it's wrapped in cloth which would be the real retro way to do it.

That or hand paint a facsimile thereof.

I've seen professional paint and dip jobs, but that's not what would have been seen the the 'Nam.

Most of us used the military 100MPH tape on our weapons. It stuck on very well.
It was something to do during down time.
I don't have any pictures of the M-16's that were done, but I do have a picture of my M79 I carried.
It is not a great picture, but you can get the idea from it.
It was an attempt to duplicate my tiger stripes.
I don't remember anyone painting them, but my memory is not so good now.
Attached File
.

Ron

I think that I'll hand-paint it; I paint enough models as it is that camouflage patterns won't be too much of a challenge. Does anyone have recommendations as to what types of paint A1 furniture will or won't accept?

Not a great example, but I did this one for my daughter when she was younger. I used Duracoat and one of their stripe kits. It has held up well and I think I would use Duracoat clear on top if I were doing what you have in mind.

I used a base of krylon camo khaki then various colors of rustoleum and krylon over it.

My friend was going to paint up a rifle and his wife thought that she would surprise him, so she went to WalMart and asked the sales clerk where she could find camoflage paint, "you know, the paint in a can where you spray it and it comes out in dufferent colors". ??