Thinking about painting a plastic stock

[Aloha_Shooter]

I've been thinking about doing a camo job on one of my rifles, a black Tavor. I was thinking something along the lines of sand, gray, and sage but not really set on a pattern or color scheme yet. I've seen videos on the web showing ARs and other rifles being done with everything from Krylon to Duracoat but am wondering about the paint gumming up things like sling QDs, manual sights, etc.

The Krylon aficionados seem to acknowledge their finish isn't as durable but they seem to like what the wear-and-tear does to the finish anyway.

Not that I expect to have much free time to do this but if I should find some time, anyone have any feedback on doing their own paint jobs or comparing them to water dipping?

[fitz19d]

I wouldn't experiment on a tavor. Practice on something else, or just send it in imo.

I forget, I posted a while back but one of the major gun paint related companies came out with some really nice DIY kits this year. (With a can within a can tech with high quality nozzle)

[merl]

I wouldn't worry about gumming up the works, krylon is fairly thin. If the South African FAL camo jobs don't gum things up a whole can of kyrlon wont.

Base plastic is black? Means scratches & wear will end up that color, another part of the camo.

[speedysst]

Have you considered hydrodipping the stock?

[StagLefty]

I've used this on plastic parts-prep is the key to it. Absolutely must rough up surface before hand.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/paint-finishes/air-cure-aerosol-paints/aluma-hyde-ii-prod1117.aspx

[kwando]

If you were closer if say lets get together. I've always wanted to paint one of my rifles and also like the look of the worn/used look. If you decide to paint it, please post some pics and what you used

[SAnd]

I've used this on plastic parts-prep is the key to it. Absolutely must rough up surface before hand.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/paint-finishes/air-cure-aerosol-paints/aluma-hyde-ii-prod1117.aspx I think Bowers Tactical has this in stock at their store.

[jerrymrc]

I wouldn't worry about gumming up the works, krylon is fairly thin. If the South African FAL camo jobs don't gum things up a whole can of kyrlon wont.

Base plastic is black? Means scratches & wear will end up that color, another part of the camo.

My only camo job has a few things here and there but crap it goes out to the range every time and is 6-7 years old now. Mine gets extra camo since my base furniture was sand color. Krylon and testors paint. [Flower]3995939961

[ray1970]

As mentioned earlier, I'd practice a bit first. (Not that I'd spray paint a rifle worth that much).

Some things to practice on... Ammo cans, p-mags, cheap AR furniture.

You'll have the best results starting with lighter colors and switching to the darker ones as you go.

Good luck.

[RonMexico]

Look at the FDE photo section, It shows my rifle and materials needed to accomplish a camo/ snakeskin pattern. First, clean rifle with a polymer safe spray and carb cleaner. Next, mask off or take off accessories that you do not want painted. Use brownells aluma-Hyde for the base layers. Spray non base colors in in a v motion, FYI-if you mess up it will eventually blend in if you use light coats. Once it dried I placed a military laundry bag on top of my rifle and continued to spray all colors in a v motion.
Posting from my phone, sorry if it's not a great write up.

[cofi]

Have you considered hydrodipping the stock?
It's a tavor do it right and hydrodip

[asmo]

Don't hydrodip guns you plan on running hard.. It just doesnt stand up. I even coated my hydrodip with Duracoat clear and it still comes off in the areas you mess with a bunch.

See pictures here: https://www.ar-15.co/threads/124795-Hydro-Dipped-rife

[cstone]

Nice thing about a krylon job it can be redone as easily as it was done the first time.

I did a cav arms lower. I don't think I would start with a Tavor.

[cofi]

Don't hydrodip guns you plan on running hard.. It just doesnt stand up. I even coated my hydrodip with Duracoat clear and it still comes off in the areas you mess with a bunch.

See pictures here: https://www.ar-15.co/threads/124795-Hydro-Dipped-rife
I think it looks good with that wear it's getting

[Aloha_Shooter]

Thanks for the inputs. WhileI think a sandy camo job would be pretty cool on the Tavor, I'm hesitant to make it the first one. I'd forgotten I have an M&P 10 MOE that would also be nice to recolor so I'll start with the Magpul mags (when I actually have time to do it) and go from there.

[TTWHTD]

I practiced on the kids BB gun then went for it. Non-chlorinated brake cleaner, let dry, then sprayed away. Threw down a few handfuls of grass and weeds, change colors and repeat. Let cure in the sun for a few days then oiled them up. That was last summer. 1200 rds in the LMT and about 150 in the 870 since then. So far so good. Only minor scratches. I don't mind them though. They're tools, not toys.

39967399693997139973

[ray1970]

TTWHTD... Those look great. Krylon or something else?

[TTWHTD]

Yessir, Krylon.

[MarkCO]

It is not that hard once you learn the tricks. Electrical tape is what I use to mask. Gives a better seal, so less bleed. A few coats thin is better than one thick. Might consider a clear or translucent epoxy for the final coat if you don't want it to change. Here is a handguard I just did for FNH. Black primer coat, silver pattern, translucent blue, then a final with a gritted epoxy.
39993

[HoneyBadger]

What happened to Birddog1911? Doesn't he do custom paint jobs? Maybe I'm mistaken.

[Aloha_Shooter]

TTWHTD, yeah, that's the kind of look I'm thinking about. What colors did you use? Maybe I'll play around with the Gamo airgun ...

[Joe_K]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/28/e4enyteb.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/28/yhapu2es.jpg[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/

What 10 min of prep work, 2 cans of Rustoleum Camo spray paint, and a laundry bag will get you.


Sent from my PRC 117A in my Batmobile disguised as a sedan.

[Dave_L]

This was my first attempt at spraying a rifle. We'll see how it holds up but so far so good. You really just have to jump in and get at it. Prep work is the key, as with any paint job. I started with the lightest color first to get the base layer. Then grabbed some branches, twigs, other foilage and held that over the rifle as I spray the next layers on.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/Dave_Lowry/savage.jpg

[HoneyBadger]

What 10 min of prep work, 2 cans of Rustoleum Camo spray paint, and a laundry bag will get you.


Sent from my PRC 117A in my Batmobile disguised as a sedan.

That's a pretty slick paint job!

[TTWHTD]

TTWHTD, yeah, that's the kind of look I'm thinking about. What colors did you use? Maybe I'll play around with the Gamo airgun ...

Krylon Ultra Flat Camo - Black, Khaki, Brown, OD
Try different base colors to find the look you want. Light layers add up better than thicker layers. I let the gun warm in the sun and it took the paint well. 15 min between coats. Spray, move the foliage, spray and repeat until you get what you want! You'd be surprised what different looks you can get practicing on cardboard. Different base colors, different grasses, pine needles, leaves. Let the gun cure about a week before you oil it or handle it too much. Seemed to work for me but what the heck do I know.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Dangit, I think I'm going to make Krylon stock shoot up. I just remembered a couple of plastic lawn chairs that I haven't used in years because they were starting to leave dust on me ... if nothing else, they'll make good practice surfaces.

[HoneyBadger]

Honestly, I'm not gutsy enough to paint any of my guns... Maybe someday I'll muster up to courage to do my Ruger 10/22. [Dunno]

[Joe_K]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/03/hynaja4u.jpg


Sent from my PRC 117A in my Batmobile disguised as a sedan.

[Rhino0427]

I have to say, this is exactly what I'm looking for when my M4 is finished. I like the idea of durakote, but most of the patterns seem a little too "Hollywood" for me. I guess I could go with base colors and do what you've done, but if Krylon is easy, cheap and repeatable, that seems like the way to go.

[kwando]

Had a small paint party today with a few members. Here is what my SBR looks like now. I love the new look


http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l166/kwando90/Forum%20stuff/1B97FDA4-B339-4077-8F62-B998D4E15134_zpsnzwftsba.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l166/kwando90/Forum%20stuff/FB5D63FA-E321-42BC-A266-6A6357432112_zps9kmqiqe6.jpg