I have a couple mags that are a little beat up and want to make look a little better. My problem is the floorplates. They show alot of usage marks and I would like to make them look better. When I spray paint them (flat black), I completely blocks out the printing on the bottom, to where you cant see it. What would be better, finishing marks or flat black with no lettering.

What kind of paint are you putting on the base plates that you can't see the lettering anymore? A thin coat of flat black spray paint should work just fine without hiding the stampings. Another option would be to get some replacement base plates.

im useing flat black krylon. if i get the light enough coat, its spotty.

Try Rust-o-lium in matte black