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Painting your AR

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  • Rebel_Rider1969

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    I picked up an AR pistol that looks like it was drug behind a truck. Shoots great, just very dinged up. Thought about painting it or maybe having it coated. Dont want to go black or tan. What have you used or done? Thanks.

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    BamaFan

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    Depending on your Budget
    1) Cerakote
    2) Duracoat
    3) Alumahyde
    4) Rattle can with a clear coat.
    Done them all and none are bullet proof so pick your poison.
     

    Jpyritz

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    Brake cleaner let dry tape dust cover closed toss on cardboard box outside. Rattle can that joker. Re-oil inside and all moving parts and press on. Run it hard and you’ll have the same “battle worn” look people spend hundreds of dollars trying to replicate.
     

    Rebel_Rider1969

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    Brake cleaner let dry tape dust cover closed toss on cardboard box outside. Rattle can that joker. Re-oil inside and all moving parts and press on. Run it hard and you’ll have the same “battle worn” look people spend hundreds of dollars trying to replicate.

    Thought about using bedliner, lol.
     

    Murfpcola

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    There is a great thread on ar15.com with rattle can jobs. One I liked the best was done with splotches of paint applied over a multi color base coat. They applied the splotches with chunks of natural sponge bought at a craft store
     

    Jpyritz

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    Rustoleum camo paint
     

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    Jpyritz

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    If you go clear make sure it’s matte, this one is kinda flashy or shiny looking.
     

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    Bowhntr6pt

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    Painting with Krylon is fun, cheap, and forgiving... easy to strip down and change later if so desired. I used a sponge technique on this one...



     

    Murfpcola

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    Painting with Krylon is fun, cheap, and forgiving... easy to strip down and change later if so desired. I used a sponge technique on this one...




    That is pretty much what I was talking about. Looks very close to some of the digital camp that some of the military wear. I really need to try that!
     

    TK5o

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    How does it hold up to the heat? Especially the paint on the barrel
     

    Jpyritz

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    How does it hold up to the heat? Especially the paint on the barrel

    Holds up well, mine have not been babied at all I think the lowest round count is around 2000 on one. I can say that if you go just tan, the heat of the barrel tends to turn it kinda pink. At least in one of mine that was all tan turned pink-ish under the handguard around the gas block. Nothing another light coat didn’t fix.
     

    Bowhntr6pt

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    How does it hold up to the heat? Especially the paint on the barrel

    I have multiple rifles painted with Krylon... seems the heat bakes the paint on making it more durable... not a tested fact, just a general observation.

    My rifle had an OD base coat with tan and grey accents.
     

    Bowhntr6pt

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    As soon as it warms up, I'm gonna give it a shot!

    Make sure to clean the parts you want to paint VERY THOROUGHLY with something like denatured alcohol or some other degreaser product. Make sure it's completely dry.

    Use a coat hangar to suspend parts for spraying.

    Use multiple very thinly sprayed coats... a light dusting at first to set a base... spray from a distance to avoid paint build up and drips.
     

    BamaFan

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    Recent .308 Build with Alumahyde Magpul FDE
     

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