Paint my AR

[SCP023]

Title. I want to paint my AR but am on the fence, mostly because if I do it I can’t go back. I want my rifle to be more than just your typical “black scary gun” and make it unique, make it my own. If I paint it and then later on down the road I want to sell my rifle then that could be a problem. Not that I want to sell it. I’ve got some BB guns that I painted to try out the color and to see if they I liked them, and I am happy with now they look. So, penny for your thoughts?

 

[maxwelhse]

You do you and do what makes you happy, but the first thing I learned about painting anything is you can pretty much always go back... It just takes more effort and more money. So, go for it.

FWIW, I think your sample is pretty cool.

 

[ditcherman]

Not sure why it would be a problem to sell it, paint should appreciate an item not depreciate it, if it is done nicely/correctly. If you don’t care enough (not judging here just stating an option) to do a nice job, then you’ve already depreciated it in your own mind and are willing to live with a “less valuable” item, so when it’s time to let it go you shouldn’t mind it going for cheaper. In other words, why settle?
I greatly enjoy painting all my builds. I’ve only used Cerakote and I’ve not done much fancy work, just made them mine.
You can always consider reblasting and repainting when/if it came time to sell them, just know you might have to bear that cost later as a part of your present enjoyment.

 

[johntheplinker]

Go for it. If you'll enjoy it more being painted, that's all that matters. Being there is no wood it will be relatively easy to go back to plain jane black. Here's one I did a while back for hunting:

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

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[ditcherman]

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Agree, I paint before assembly, and generally paint the barrel too. Everything separately. Buttons and switches in contrasting color can look nice.
Next up for me is stenciling on some mags to get the hang of that.

edit: wait, that’s not what you said?

 

[IUKalash429]

Maybe practice some patterns on cardboard or scrap wood first. There are tons and tons of helpful tutorials, DIY tips, and patterns to copy on YouTube and across the internet. Just plan out what you want it to look like first and then practice on something you don't mind ruining. But as others have pointed out, if you muck up the gun, it's always reversible.

 

[indykid]

The AR-15 and it's zillion variants are probably the only rifle that you can paint (if done reasonably) and not lose value. They are almost a blank canvas waiting to be personalized by many designs and variations of color. ENJOY and please post your results. That picture you posted is interesting and looks well done.

 

[gregkl]

I have been doing a lot of research on painting an AR. Like the others have said, you do you. Life is too short to let other's preferences prevent you from doing something you want to do.

Some just rattle can different colors to break up the outline, some send it off for a professional Cerakote job. Rattle can will be the easiest to remove should you want to get it back to black.

As far as value, pfft. How much more enjoyment will you get out of painting it and then owning your creation? There is value in that. And I'm not so sure it will reduce the value if you were to sell it. It will reduce your market. So what? I was told by a car salesman back in the late 70's that I would have a reduced market in selling my used Camaro because it was a 4-speed, no AC car. I sold it almost right away at a very good price. I found the 2%-er that wanted that configuration.

I am going to go with a stencil kit of either Multicam or Riptile I think. It will be either rattle can or maybe Duracoat. My goal is not ultimate camouflage in the woods, but more of fun trying to make it look cool. Its my gun. I'll do what I want with it.

If you do it, post pictures. Maybe even do a step by step posting of your progress for others to learn.

 

[Pepi]

Soon I'm going to paint mine with invisible paint

 

[bwframe]

Sometimes there are pretty good buys in the classy's on rattle can jobs, if you wait long enough.

 

[Wa22ioR]

I have one I am likely going to paint soon using Pat Rogers' method using Aervoe paint. If you are not familiar with it, just do a search of Pat Rogers "painting a carbine" and it will pop up. Couple YouTube videos of guys doing so as well.

 

[KokomoDave]

I paint all mine white with an orange tip...

 

[gregkl]

I paint all mine white with an orange tip...

Pictures or it didn't happen.

 

[johntheplinker]

I paint all mine white with an orange tip...

Add a purple handguard, grip,and stock...hmmm

 

[455 Beretta]

Do it. Pics.

 

[maxwelhse]

I paint all mine white with an orange tip...

Are all of your helmets blue too?

 

[KokomoDave]

Are all of your helmets blue too?

Helmet? I haven't worn one of those since being released from active duty. Don't wear a helmet on my HD unless going for a long ride( I had a broken neck that got repaired last year via Goodman Campbell brain and spine)

 

[KokomoDave]

I paint all mine white with an orange tip...

Sorry, they are on the bottom of Kentucky Lake somewhere as I didn't have GPS on my Jon boat before it sank. Bummer!

 

[KJW]

Just do it. It's certain that painting it will increase your enjoyment of ownership. It's uncertain whether you'll ever sell it or if it would negatively effect its value. I did this after watching a few YouTube videos with rattle cans, and I have no particular artistic talent. It's hard to screw up, and if you don't like how it turns out the first time you can just do it over.