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General Categories => General Firearm Discussion => Topic started by: RobertH on April 13, 2011, 11:04:22 PM

Title: Painting a firearm?
Post by: RobertH 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.
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: Mudinyeri 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
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: NE Bull 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.
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: FarmerRick 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. 
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: ghknives 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/
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: gsd 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.
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: ghknives 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
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: bkoenig 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?
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: Chris C 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. 
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: ghknives 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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Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: RobertH on April 18, 2011, 10:30:00 PM
thanks for the info guys.

ghknives, how did you do that camo pattern?
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: ghknives 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.
Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: Hardwood83 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 (http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=19&t=321800)




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Title: Re: Painting a firearm?
Post by: SeanN 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