I have an old Charter Arms AR-7, probably 18 years old.... it's "well-loved"...meaning the finish looks bad.  It's a fun plinker, and my daughter loves to shoot it.  I was thinking about trying to improve it's look.  I see all the references to painting using Duracoat, Krylon, etc, and would like some ideas.  It's not a very big gun, not gonna make it camo or anything, just want to make it look less worn.

Any suggestions?

Do I need to strip it down since there is alot of the finish worn in spots?

I don't want to send it off for refinishing for $xxx, just something decent looking with a little durability to it.

Thanks in advance,

No Expert

Surface preparation is everything.

Dennis Jenkins

Quoted: I have an old Charter Arms AR-7, probably 18 years old.... it's "well-loved"...meaning the finish looks bad.  It's a fun plinker, and my daughter loves to shoot it.  I was thinking about trying to improve it's look.  I see all the references to painting using Duracoat, Krylon, etc, and would like some ideas.  It's not a very big gun, not gonna make it camo or anything, just want to make it look less worn. Any suggestions? Do I need to strip it down since there is alot of the finish worn in spots? I don't want to send it off for refinishing for $xxx, just something decent looking with a little durability to it. Thanks in advance, No Expert

What he said.
Can you take it apart enough to put it on a wire wheel?  I've used them to good effect.
Sand blasting is prolly better but not everyone has access to one.
Just strip it down to bare metal and degrease thoroughly. Then degrease again!

I like the Alumihyde II.  the matt black is my favorite.  It goes on good and seems durable enough for handling/shooting.  Just make sure you let it set-up for at least a week.

RB out

i would just degrease and then hit it with a can of Krylon flat black paint.
nothing fancy or a whole lot of trouble.  

I can disassemble it pretty well, but don't really have any hard-core equipment to stip it.  Might be able to do a chemical stripping.

The Krylon idea has me intrigued. I know people had been painting guns and parts that had good finish, not sure about the poor finish without surface prep (stripping).

I'll try to get some pictures up today for a better showing of what I am upagainst.

Thanks all so far,

No Expert

if you don't do proper prep the paint will not stick and tend to flake off.  be warned Krylon does not like most gun cleaning solvents and will desolve over time.  but it takes more than a moments contact.  

take a look at Aluma-Hyde II it's a tough Epoxy Base Paint that will Withstand Solvents.  

Quoted: if you don't do proper prep the paint will not stick and tend to flake off.  be warned Krylon does not like most gun cleaning solvents and will desolve over time.  but it takes more than a moments contact.   take a look at Aluma-Hyde II it's a tough Epoxy Base Paint that will Withstand Solvents.

The ALUMA-HYDE looks good, any non-mechanical prep suggestions?

No Expert

Quoted: Quoted: if you don't do proper prep the paint will not stick and tend to flake off.  be warned Krylon does not like most gun cleaning solvents and will desolve over time.  but it takes more than a moments contact.   take a look at Aluma-Hyde II it's a tough Epoxy Base Paint that will Withstand Solvents.   The ALUMA-HYDE looks good, any non-mechanical prep suggestions? No Expert

on-mechanical?  you will have to help me with that
i don't understand.

Wal Mart has some engine paint.

Spray it with carb cleaner, dry it then throw it in the oven.

Take it out and degrease once more.

Paint rifle and then bake per instructions.

Used engine paint on my SAR-1 and its has held up perfectly. The only downside is that it has a HINT of bushmaster purple in the sun. Its still a fairly good black.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: if you don't do proper prep the paint will not stick and tend to flake off.  be warned Krylon does not like most gun cleaning solvents and will desolve over time.  but it takes more than a moments contact.   take a look at Aluma-Hyde II it's a tough Epoxy Base Paint that will Withstand Solvents.   The ALUMA-HYDE looks good, any non-mechanical prep suggestions? No Expert on-mechanical?  you will have to help me with that i don't understand.

Meaning no grinders, wheels, machines, or other stuff I don't have or can't afford to buy.

ME poor.  

No Expert

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: if you don't do proper prep the paint will not stick and tend to flake off.  be warned Krylon does not like most gun cleaning solvents and will desolve over time.  but it takes more than a moments contact.   take a look at Aluma-Hyde II it's a tough Epoxy Base Paint that will Withstand Solvents.   The ALUMA-HYDE looks good, any non-mechanical prep suggestions? No Expert on-mechanical?  you will have to help me with that i don't understand. Meaning no grinders, wheels, machines, or other stuff I don't have or can't afford to buy. ME poor.   No Expert

the problem is the finish on the gun is anodized.  so it is metallically bonded but you can take it off with some fine grit sand paper.