Ive been wanting to paint my AR for a while but i cant figure out a good pattern to use, any body have any ideas?
check out the custom build thread they have a section for painted AR’s youll get a good idea on what pattern to use. Its also going to depend on your surrouding area/areas
I’ve never painted any of my rifles but if I did I’d go with a digital-camo scheme of colors that reflected my regional environment. The 90-degree ‘breaks’ in a digi-camo scheme are quite effective in breaking up the silhouette of a weapon.
Here’s a link to the thread devildog mentioned:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=5102
I’d also recommend checking out these guys work. It’s not technically painting, but it looks fantastic.
I do a lot of Duracoating and they have a very good selection of camo patterns that might be of interest:
http://www.duracoat-firearm-finishes.com/
Krylon camo paints, and sponges.
Are you looking for a precisely defined pattern, or a freehand alternative?
I agree. This is probably the cheapest, least permanent way to go. Don’t get me wrong though Krylon holds up nicely.
im looking for more of a free hand finish, doesnt have to be perfect but i dont want to mess things up either
then Krylon is the way to go 
especially if you like the worn-out look 
Just make some cutouts in some cardstock and hold it over the area when you spray. You can also use some actual twigs, grass, etc and overspray those to leave a pattern. I did a quick and dirty freehand job that way with Krylon and it came out like this. I just threw a cheapo scope on there to see if I liked the overall look without having to use an expensive optic.
Are you looking for effective camo or a pretty gun or both? I’m no camo expert by any means, but I recently painted mine and did some (maybe not quite enough) research beforehand.
For camo purposes, what it looks like up close doesn’t matter as much as how well the pattern breaks up the outline at a distance.
Look through the painted ARs thread here, and find the link to the Lightfighter painted ARs thread. Then research some on what makes camo effective and why. I painted mine but got the pattern a little too tight, which isn’t as effective for breaking up the outline at a distance, though it is better than black.
For a pattern I used a 3D treestand blind thing I got from walmart, or you can get some camo netting from a surplus store if there’s one near you.
If you are going to spray paint it, use Aervoe paint. It’s worth the time to order it.
[QUOTE=bulbvivid;841131]Are you looking for effective camo or a pretty gun or both? I’m no camo expert by any means, but I recently painted mine and did some (maybe not quite enough) research beforehand.
Im looking for effective, i dont really care if it looks pretty. Im not the artistic type and I just want to make sure that im doing it right before i paint $2500 worth of kit.
I have painted all of my firearms. I use Krylon. It is cheap, easy, and if you mess up or ever need to repair the pattern it is easy to re-apply. Stay away from Black unless you are really talented and can apply a 3-D shadow effect.
Stick to different shades of green, gray, and browns. Go from darker to lighter when you apply the colors.
This image is several years old, but you get the idea. Also I have found that if you use a leaf pattern the points should angle inward from the edges of the rifle. It helps break up the pattern.
what do you do with the sponges?
im interested as well. i am thinking of using a net pattern of some sort. ive seen tan base with OD sprayed over it but im thinking of doing the reverse. need to wait for a warmer day to get into the garage and test the design on a piece of cardboard.
same here, its just to cold outside to do it in the garage. i just bought a digi-stencile from brownells that im going to try, we’ll see how it goes
Sounds like they’re doing some sort of faux finsh gayness. 
Just get 3 different colors that are appropriate for your environment and go for it. Darken high spots and lighten low spots. Free hand is exactly it.
3 rattle cans, cover your irons, and go for it.
The sponges will give a digital marpat type look, I did a rifle and everyone seems to like the way it turned out. Over at t.o.s. the have a refinishing forum that has alot of pics of different styles, sponge, pine needles, camo netting, etc.
I used pre-cut stencils from Bulldogarms.com. I painted with Dura-coat and let it set for a couple of weeks for a full cure.