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je1x
07-29-17, 14:17
Im considering spray painting a new build I'm working on. I have one of my rifles done with cerakote. My question is... How long realistically will the spray paint hold on the rifle? Im going for a battleworn look anyways but wanted to know how long it lasts or if anyone has done this before, how long before you need to touch it up again ?
tgizzard
07-29-17, 14:41
If you use spray paint and the rifle is used on a regular basis, the paint will chip off. The extent to which it does will depend on how hard you use the rifle. i.e. if you bring it to a sit down range once a week and then promptly place it back in the safe when you get home, the paint job will last you a long long time.
TCB
07-29-17, 16:52
I painted this gun 4 years ago and have not babied it. The high spots have worn through but just add another color to the sceeme. The nice thing with spray paint is you can reapply if you want to. I don't do anything as far as prep...just spray and let dry.
nate89
07-29-17, 20:43
I painted two rifles and put a matte clear coat over both of them. The back of the stock and other 'contact areas' have worn off, but I haven't done any touch-up and I think it still looks fine. I'd go for it and just use it, if it wears down to the point you don't like the look, hit those spots again.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530AZ using Tapatalk
Aetius
07-29-17, 22:43
Paint it and shoot it. I touched up my worn spots occasionally, probably every 1-2 years. It really just depends on what bothers you. Painting it may lower the resale value, but that's about the only drawback.
Jellybean
07-30-17, 01:03
IMHO....
The point of spray painting your rifle is that you care more about blending in with your surroundings than how the rifle will look.
If you're concerned about the paint staying on #cerakotethatshit.
Rifleman_04
07-30-17, 09:15
I sprayed my carbine with krylon camouflage three years ago and has held up fine. High spots are worn off but no chipping or flaking off and it's handled daily.

Make sure to wipe it down good with a cleaner to get the oil off and spray paint will last a long time.
MistWolf
07-30-17, 13:39
When the paint will need to be touched up depends on how hard the rifle is used and how often the wear tickles your CDO. Mine get repainted when I need a project or when I want to look good at the range.

On my handguards and grips, I apply a base coat with sand mixed in for extra traction
556BlackRifle
07-30-17, 13:48
I sprayed my carbine with krylon camouflage three years ago and has held up fine. High spots are worn off but no chipping or flaking off and it's handled daily.

Make sure to wipe it down good with a cleaner to get the oil off and spray paint will last a long time.

^This^ I used the same paint. Before applying, I cleaned everything with brake cleaner. Then sprayed it about 20 minutes later. I applied it in three light coats and let it dry for an hour between. After it was dry I let it cure for a couple of weeks before taking it out and shooting it. The paint is amazingly tough. When shooting it I could smell it as the barrel heated up but the paint didn't burn off. I'm going to try it on a pistol project (non AR) just to see if it will work....
seb5
07-30-17, 13:53
Here's everything you need to know. I've done this to several carbines over the years and several more for friends.

http://www.lightfighter.net/topic/painting-your-carbine-from-the-book-of-pat
mack7.62
07-30-17, 19:05
Off topic but I really miss the old Lightfighter, I hardly ever go there anymore since they changed the forum and put some things behind a paywall.
TCB
07-30-17, 22:43
No need to get all crazy with prep...I painted my SBR 15 minutes after getting home from the range with it. No wipe down or anything, zero issues.
seb5
07-30-17, 23:04
Off topic but I really miss the old Lightfighter, I hardly ever go there anymore since they changed the forum and put some things behind a paywall.

I'm still a member but rarely go there. It's new format is also harder to navigate.
JulyAZ
07-30-17, 23:31
Maybe it's just me, but when the spray paint starts to wear is when the gun looks the best.

I also got a rifle cerakoted. IMO it's over rated, I'd rather have it anodized, and rattle can over top, but I had a bad NFA engraving that got sanded off, so I had to refinish regardless.

My rattle can:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170731/61c153749bd330c7e38ab464ef8f1bcb.jpg
Beat Trash
07-31-17, 07:03
My son recently painted on elf his rifles. Cleaned off any oil with break cleaner. Applied a base color. He then used a natural sponge to dap overlaying colors on the gun. The effect worked well when standing about 20 yards away from the gun. And it was stupid easy to apply.

If/when the edges on the gun wear off the paint, I can't see bothering with reapplying paint. I personally feel that gives the gun some character.