Maintenance is always an important aspect rifle upkeep. If you skip this process, the performance will keep going down and you won’t be happy with the results. One of the most important steps in maintenance is painting your rifle. Your old AR 15 will shine like never before and it will stay protected from harmful substances, natural elements, oil, moisture, corrosion, etc.
Painting a rifle is thankfully not a difficult task. Spray paints are readily available on the market and you can choose the color that matches your needs. Having said that, knowing the exact procedure will, of course, make the process easier. This article’s purpose is just that.
How to paint an AR 15
Before you start painting your AR 15, you should take a few measures.
- Clean your rifle with a cloth and then use a brake cleaner to remove grease, oil, etc.
- After the cleaning is complete, bring out your masking tape and seal off all the sensitive areas. These would be areas that you cannot afford paint going into. Block the muzzle, magazine, and ejection port.
Now, let’s go through the process step-by-step:
- For the base layer, you will need the darkest color in your arsenal. Apply it using sweeping strokes. Do it in uniform patterns – not too fast and not too slow. This will ensure that the paint is evenly applied and there are no globs.
- You can apply another layer if needed but wait until the first coat dries slightly.
- After you are satisfied with the base, you can move on to the next step. That would be to use the lightest color you have for the strips. Use the same application approach and be careful not to apply too much.
- One point to remember here is to not use contrasting colors especially if you are looking at camouflage.
- You can now use more colors so that there’s absolutely no contrast. While doing so, you can blend the lightest color’s strips that you earlier painted.
- Use mesh laundry bags and foliage for patterns so that your rifle is completely one with nature when you are out hunting.
- Repeat step 6 until you are satisfied with the result.
Note: It is always advisable to try painting a nerf gun before using your actual gun. Practice will help you do a better job.
Best spray paints for AR 15 – Expert’s choice
Now that you know how to paint your AR 15, let’s find the best spray paints to do it! The following are our expert’s choices, shortlisted after much deliberation and research.
1. Rust-Oleum Camouflage Spray
Rust-Oleum never ceases to impress when it comes to spray paints. This one’s a beauty, designed to make your painting job fun. Its features are as follows:
- It promises a smooth and elegant finish.
- The spray paint has been formulated for hunting equipment, boats, vehicles, nature blinds, etc.
- The color of this spray paint is “dead flat” and has been inspired by nature.
- You can combine it with different paints to get the exact camouflage based on the environment you are in.
- The fast-drying paint gives you a non-reflective and flat finish.
2. Krylon Camouflage Paint Khaki – K04291000
Krylon is a close competitor of Rust-Oleum with many takers. Those who choose Krylon are usually very satisfied with the output. Read on to find out why:
- It has excellent adhering capacity. It will work well on most surfaces including wood, metal, hard vinyl, ceramic, and plastic.
- The spray paint can dry really fast. It will take around 15 minutes after application to dry completely.
- Its finish is ultra-flat and non-reflective.
- The brand offers various color options so that you get the perfect camouflage.
- It is resistant to moisture.
3. Krylon Fusion All-in-one Spray Paint for AR 15
Here’s another one from Krylon but this spray paint comes with a bonus tag – Amazon’s Choice! You can use this for indoor and outdoor applications. Its features are as follows:
- This is a primer-cum-paint, which means that you don’t have to buy a primer additionally.
- It promises 5x adhesion when compared to regular spray paints.
- This is a matte black paint that comes with rust protection.
- It is fast drying and can be applied on any surface.
- The brand offers a no-peel guarantee. This implies that it is long-lasting.
4. Dip Bite Flat White Aerosol Spray
The Dip Bite Flat White Spray Paint is an all-in-one paint that has a primer and adhesive promoter as well. Once you buy this can of paint, you won’t have to buy anything else. Read on to find out more:
- It is a ready-to-spray paint with no need for mixing.
- You can directly apply it to plastic, wood, fiberglass, metal, etc.
- Since it is a solvent-based paint, you can be sure that it won’t rust metal.
- It chemically bonds and gives you a clear coat.
- It is particularly excellent for the hydrographic process.
5. Hunters Specialties AR 15 Spray Paint
Hunters is another specialty store that you can totally rely on for your camo needs. This olive drab color is suitable for AR 15 rifles and is easy to apply too. Below is more information:
- It has been formulated specifically to aid game hunting.
- It is easy to carry and use.
- The paint has a fast-drying formula and is water-resistant.
- The finish is flat and non-reflective.
- Along with hunting equipment, you can use the paint for boats, blinds, stands, etc.
Conclusion
Painting hunting equipment goes beyond general maintenance and that’s why it is important to be careful about the type of spray paint you use. All the options we provided in this article have our seal of approval. You can buy any of them without a doubt. If you have any additional questions about this, please leave a comment.