Advise on painting gun

[Quib]

Nice to see that they completely overthought the process. Totally what I expected from them.

Overthought how? Are those not valid concerns? Pretty basic masking process no?

[LONGBOWAH]

At least your "ordinary" soldier has a chance at painting his weapon...now that it is actually authorized at higher levels.

But you are correct, they standardized/militarized "just rattle can it".

[mrbieler]

Overthought how? Are those not valid concerns? Pretty basic masking process no?

Compared to the thread Pat Rogers put together and some other posts I've seen around discussing the how-to's, yes the PEO Soldier article is over complicated. Of course, I think the major assumption is that you understand how to spray paint vs flood paint.

The who process should take very little time.

If you go to page 4 of the above Lightfighter link before Pat closed the thread, the NVG pics of a painted vs unpainted carbine are pretty interesting.

I painted my FAL and mid-length with Krylon. Would like to try the Aervoe on my carbine and compare how the hold up.

[Qcon]

I used to be super picky about painting my rifles (lots of prep, duracoat, etc). Now I just degrease, tape what needs it, and spray that baby with Krylon. If I don't like it its easy to change or paint over.

Does not hurt my feelings to use the rifle and scratch it up either. I will say this method is probably not for everyone.

My philosophy as well. Takes me about 20 minutes total time using FS595 color match paint by Aervoe. Nice texture, finish, dries fast, wears slowly. It will wear through but shouldn't chip if the paint is layered on and not flooded with 1 or 2 thick coats.

[Quib]

The PEO article was written as a guidance outlining the basics of weapons painting for those who may be unfamiliar with the process.

Being a person who comes from a background where written procedures must be followed, I think the article highlights some good points for the soldier to bear in mind and I can appreciate the information.

My apologies if the article does not fit this thread, or assist the OP with any questions he may have had.

[JSantoro]

That PEO Soldier guidance is hysterical, and not in the "ha-ha funny" way. In the "chemical imbalance" way. Neurotic and ritualized.

Example: PEO Soldier is the same entity that gave the world ACU uniforms.

It's nowhere near that complex a process. Don't follow it unless you think painting a gun should take 2 days. It's spray-paint, not cold fusion.

It's not that the guidance doesn't belong, in and of itself, it just doesn't belong any more than any other poorly-thought-out, needlessly risk-averse procedure belongs anywhere.

[Qcon]

This is a 20 minute job with rattle cans and paper stencils:

You can see some wear along the stock, magwell and muzzle


Netting from an Asian supermarket.. I think it's what they wrap noodles with.

[Iraqgunz]

Speaking of my own experience I didn't apply that much effort in doing any of the weapons that I have painted and they have all turned out good. None of the operational parts were affected either.

Overthought how? Are those not valid concerns? Pretty basic masking process no?

[kaltesherz]

Overthought how? Are those not valid concerns? Pretty basic masking process no?

Taping the barrel, forward assist, trigger, and pretty much all exposed steel parts is waaaaay overkill. The only thing you should tape is the serial numbers, lenses on the optics, and the bore. They took something retarded simple and made it... wait for it... retarded. I know Joe can **** up anything, and can appreciate making it a step by step process, but by adding so many worthless steps it just makes it uber complicated. The Pat Rogers post on LF.net is right on and about as complicated as it should get.

The call to allow normal line units to paint their weapons is still up to the big wigs, and last I heard my old unit that's in Afghanistan right now is only allowed to paint their plastic furniture and not the entire weapon. While it helps a little, black guns stick out like a pedophile on a playground in Afghanistan... doesn't help that they still haven't been issued Multicam yet either despite all the media coverage regarding it.

ETA here's a (really bad) pic of my old M4 which I had painted just the furniture with krylon / issue spray paint and some thin netting after about 8 months of regular field problems / training.

[markm]

I just taped off my Irons enough that I still retained a black sight picture.