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Author Topic: Painting a firearm?  (Read 1872 times)

Offline RobertH

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Painting a firearm?
« on: April 13, 2011, 11:04:22 PM »
im toying with the idea of painting my next AR, as soon as i get the funds to build (or buy) it.  i'm not sure what style or what it would look like.  most likely a woodland or digi-cam color.

anyone have any ideas?  any pros or cons?  should i get it professionally done?  all ideas appreciated.
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Offline Mudinyeri

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2011, 07:25:14 AM »
Lots of people seem to be doing their own.  Here's a thread from another forum that I'm on: http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=630635&highlight=camo+paint

Offline NE Bull

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2011, 08:10:16 AM »
RobertH, there was that fella at the Big Bucks Classic that does the Hydrographics. I think that would be sweet and durable? and the designs are almost endless.  I thought I grabbed his card, but can't find it.

Edit: Googled it.  Looks to be DIY kits out there.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2011, 08:17:03 AM by NE Bull »
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Offline FarmerRick

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2011, 08:12:33 AM »
RobertH, there was that fella at the Big Bucks Classic that does the Hydrographics. I think that would be sweet and durable? and the designs are almost endless.  I thought I grabbed his card, but can't find it.

I talked to him as well.  They are just getting started, but seemed to do good work.  I gave him a card and encouraged him to join us.


I have painted a few with Krylon with decent results.  Not very durable, but it is removable if desired.  I'll try to post some pics later this weekend. 
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Offline ghknives

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2011, 09:50:42 AM »
I've had great luck with Dura-coat. It's tough and resilient. They have a lot of colors and patterns. http://www.duracoat-firearm-finishes.com/
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Offline gsd

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2011, 10:51:22 AM »
Damn that Dura-coat website looks amazing.  GH you said you've had some success?  Care to share some pics?  I just started loooking into an AR build myself.
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Offline ghknives

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2011, 11:05:23 AM »
 It may be the first of the week as I'm headed to the Kearney gun show today.  I'll try to get some pics as quick as possible
I do not love the bright sword for it's sharpness, nor the arrow for it's swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I only love that which they defend.        J.R.R. Tolkein

Offline bkoenig

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2011, 12:14:03 PM »
I've been thinking about duracoating a couple of shotguns.  Can you do it over the existing blueing or do you need to strip them?

Offline Chris C

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2011, 01:49:27 PM »
My buddy Cory at Heartland Dent Repair does Hydro Dipping.  He just started doing it last fall and doesn't appear to be on the site but the link has the address to the shop.    http://www.heartlanddentrepair.com/index.html  I need to get my PF-9 in there to have it dipped in digital camo just don't know how much of the inner pieces I need to take out. 

Offline ghknives

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2011, 09:39:46 PM »
I'll try to load these pics of an AK I recently finished for a family member. You can paint over an existing finish but works best if roughed up to give the paint better adhesion.

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I do not love the bright sword for it's sharpness, nor the arrow for it's swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I only love that which they defend.        J.R.R. Tolkein

Offline RobertH

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2011, 10:30:00 PM »
thanks for the info guys.

ghknives, how did you do that camo pattern?
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Offline ghknives

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2011, 08:26:01 AM »
The patterns are available from Dura Coat. They are made from some kind of reusable vinyl material. It's easy but takes some time as it's a multi step process.  After prepairing the surface a base coat is applied. I used an air brush to do all the painting but a small auto body sprayer would work too. Some of the vinyl patterns are applied to the base coat, and a second color sprayed on. This process continued through a couple more colors then all the patterns were removed and a light over spray of light paint applied to dull the entire finish.
I do not love the bright sword for it's sharpness, nor the arrow for it's swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I only love that which they defend.        J.R.R. Tolkein

Offline Hardwood83

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2011, 03:05:45 PM »
I've painted a couple of mine with Krylon 'camo' paint from WalMart- total cost about $20 and a maybe 90mins total. I'll let you judge the quality, but it is cheap and easy and not too permanent. I got the idea/technique from here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=19&t=321800




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Offline SeanN

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Re: Painting a firearm?
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2011, 04:55:40 PM »
You have to sign up to be a member but... Here's painting instructions from Pat Rogers.

http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9046084761/m/143106357