Questions on painting a rifle

s2thalayer · January 31, 2013, 06:07 PM

I'm working on some AK kits right now that I got before the panic, and want to do some unique things with them. I had this blasphemous idea to put an American flag on an AK. It was kind of a joke idea, but then I got to thinking that may look good on an AR, or maybe something like a Confederate flag, seeing as I've never seen that done.

So, I googled over and over, and all I can find are fill ins for serial numbers, camo painting, and super professional jobs that they don't really explain how they did it.

If I'm correct, there are two ways that I have seen so far. Krylon spray paint by itself (after a base coat, of course) is one. The other is airbrushing. I have no experience airbrushing, but I am an artist, so I figure "how hard could it be?" From what I understand you need some kind of base coat (not krylon, because it can't be baked), bake it, do your painting, bake, then clear coat.

The Krylon option concerns me because I don't see how that would hold up to the heat on an AR.

So does anyone know of any good techniques to actually do painting that is NOT camouflage, but actual artwork on aluminum of an AR15? Actually, the carbon material, also. And can any actual freehand painting be done?

Thanks in advance. I wasn't sure what forum to put this under, but this looked as good as any.

Creeper · January 31, 2013, 11:03 PM

Use automotive engine paints... they come in a variety of colors and can take substantial heat. They tend to come in spray bombs at the local auto parts, but Restomotive Labs and others (like Eastwood for example) carry a multitude of engine enamels in pints.

C

F. Guffey · February 1, 2013, 12:05 AM

Degrease the metal, then etch the metal to give the paint something to hold on to. Aluminum, I use vinegar diluted with water, for metal I use an acid on clean degrease metal.

I have not finished the project but plain to paint a Mauser receiver with Zinc. If for some reason it does not work out, there is paint remover.

F. Guffey

s2thalayer · February 1, 2013, 06:54 AM

Alright, would that need to be baked?

F. Guffey · February 1, 2013, 09:40 AM

Bake? Porcelain is sprayed on case iron, then, baked, same with frying pans etc.. Then there is baked on enamel, porcelain and baked on enamel are unfinished before baking, something like spraying on glass beads with a glue binder. Problem, there is no give or flex and it chips like glass. My opinion glass that chips is not something a shooter wants setting along side their head while shooting, smooth, gloss with a shine, yes.

Take what ever you have to paint to a motor cycle paint shop, but first determine how much you want to pay when repairing a dent, scratch or chip.

F. Guffey

runninghorsegoeswild · June 10, 2013, 05:50 AM

Hi guys new here. I picked up an AK Sporter cheap cheap!!
Needs a little refinishing. Shoots as true as any AK I have fired in the past so thats good. The barrel looks good etc. just needs a stock refinish and recoating.
Have any of you all tried high heat header paints used to paint exaust headers on cars??? Seems to me they would work well???

Dixie Gunsmithing · June 10, 2013, 06:39 AM

runninghorsegoeswild,

Though I've never done it, a friend ended up with a cheap Chinese 9mm, and painted it with something similar, and said it worked out okay, but as far as wear, I can not say. Duracoat and others do tend to ware well, but they are baked on finishes. There is also the military standard Parkerising too. You can get the kits from eBay, and Caswell.

Scorch · June 10, 2013, 12:11 PM

GunKote. It comes in many, many colors. You bead blast the metal, spray the base color on with an airbrush, then bake. Then just mask and spray for the design colors If you know how to do multi-masking, it's a snap. If not, you can still do multi-color designs, you just have to either make sure you are not taping on top of other colors when you mask, or bake between coats.

January 31, 2013, 06:07 PM	#1
s2thalayer Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2009 Location: Danville, VA Posts: 101	Questions on painting a rifle I'm working on some AK kits right now that I got before the panic, and want to do some unique things with them. I had this blasphemous idea to put an American flag on an AK. It was kind of a joke idea, but then I got to thinking that may look good on an AR, or maybe something like a Confederate flag, seeing as I've never seen that done. So, I googled over and over, and all I can find are fill ins for serial numbers, camo painting, and super professional jobs that they don't really explain how they did it. If I'm correct, there are two ways that I have seen so far. Krylon spray paint by itself (after a base coat, of course) is one. The other is airbrushing. I have no experience airbrushing, but I am an artist, so I figure "how hard could it be?" From what I understand you need some kind of base coat (not krylon, because it can't be baked), bake it, do your painting, bake, then clear coat. The Krylon option concerns me because I don't see how that would hold up to the heat on an AR. So does anyone know of any good techniques to actually do painting that is NOT camouflage, but actual artwork on aluminum of an AR15? Actually, the carbon material, also. And can any actual freehand painting be done? Thanks in advance. I wasn't sure what forum to put this under, but this looked as good as any.

January 31, 2013, 11:03 PM	#2
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,797	Use automotive engine paints... they come in a variety of colors and can take substantial heat. They tend to come in spray bombs at the local auto parts, but Restomotive Labs and others (like Eastwood for example) carry a multitude of engine enamels in pints. C __________________ Shoulder Drive Nicholson Club

June 10, 2013, 05:50 AM	#6
runninghorsegoeswild Junior Member Join Date: June 9, 2013 Posts: 1	Flat heat paints??? Hi guys new here. I picked up an AK Sporter cheap cheap!! Needs a little refinishing. Shoots as true as any AK I have fired in the past so thats good. The barrel looks good etc. just needs a stock refinish and recoating. Have any of you all tried high heat header paints used to paint exaust headers on cars??? Seems to me they would work well???

June 10, 2013, 12:11 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	GunKote. It comes in many, many colors. You bead blast the metal, spray the base color on with an airbrush, then bake. Then just mask and spray for the design colors If you know how to do multi-masking, it's a snap. If not, you can still do multi-color designs, you just have to either make sure you are not taping on top of other colors when you mask, or bake between coats. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 1, 2013, 12:05 AM	#3
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	Degrease the metal, then etch the metal to give the paint something to hold on to. Aluminum, I use vinegar diluted with water, for metal I use an acid on clean degrease metal. I have not finished the project but plain to paint a Mauser receiver with Zinc. If for some reason it does not work out, there is paint remover. F. Guffey

February 1, 2013, 06:54 AM	#4
s2thalayer Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2009 Location: Danville, VA Posts: 101	Alright, would that need to be baked?

February 1, 2013, 09:40 AM	#5
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	Bake? Porcelain is sprayed on case iron, then, baked, same with frying pans etc.. Then there is baked on enamel, porcelain and baked on enamel are unfinished before baking, something like spraying on glass beads with a glue binder. Problem, there is no give or flex and it chips like glass. My opinion glass that chips is not something a shooter wants setting along side their head while shooting, smooth, gloss with a shine, yes. Take what ever you have to paint to a motor cycle paint shop, but first determine how much you want to pay when repairing a dent, scratch or chip. F. Guffey

June 10, 2013, 06:39 AM	#7
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	runninghorsegoeswild, Though I've never done it, a friend ended up with a cheap Chinese 9mm, and painted it with something similar, and said it worked out okay, but as far as wear, I can not say. Duracoat and others do tend to ware well, but they are baked on finishes. There is also the military standard Parkerising too. You can get the kits from eBay, and Caswell.