Project CAMO AK Picture and Video HEAVY

General Firearms Other Semi-Automatic Rifles
1

So I acquired an AK for the first time this summer after always wanting one. I have always wanted to camouflage a rifle and figured this would be the perfect rifle to give it a go.

Hit up a buddy who also wanted to lend his artistic talents and after an evening of Pizza, cocktails and about 4 hours of time we ended up with this…

Rifle started out like this:

Changed out the forearm with an MI/US Palms rail system set up for a Leupold Delta Point.

Prep of the rifle consisted of some steel wool over the receiver, rubbing alcohol over all metal and plastic parts, masking off the barrel, bolt, sights, and parts of the rail. We also stuffed the inside of the receiver with paper towels to keep clean up easier (which worked).

Prep:

Hung up for paint:

First coat of Primer:

First base coat of desert tan

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/dtchicago/?action=view&current=IMG_0174.mp4

Base coat finished, drying time between coats about 45 min

Colors used, also used black for fill in:

First coat of camouflage stripes: (used dark earth and OD green)

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/dtchicago/?action=view&current=IMG_0177.mp4

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/dtchicago/?action=view&current=IMG_0178.mp4

Base coat and camo stripes are finished and mostly dry now into the basement to add texture. We used all the same colors as before plus black with a natural sea sponge to apply texture and a camo pattern.

Sponge work:

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/dtchicago/?action=view&current=IMG_0185.mp4

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/dtchicago/?action=view&current=IMG_0186.mp4

More layering:

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/dtchicago/?action=view&current=IMG_0188.mp4

Introducing some black into the pattern, really made the other colors pop:

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/dtchicago/?action=view&current=IMG_0189.mp4

Finished product hanging up to dry for the week:

Rifle finished with Leupold Delta Point installed:

2

I hope you guys all enjoyed! Finish is holding up great!!! Couldn’t have done this without the help of my buddy E.J. great help and our first try at this came out great!

David

3

Had some issue getting videos to work but I think the links are fixed now. Don’t see a way to have them imbedded into the thread just links. If anyone knows a better way please let me know.

Hope you guys enjoy!

4

Why didn’t you paint the barrel/gas block/gas tube area?

I ask because I plan on rattle-canning my AK74 in the next week or so.

5

We followed the US Army procedures. They specifically say to not paint the barrel and high heat areas. The paint will eventually bubble and come off of those areas. The barrel is also a wear item that will need to be replaced at some point.

You can find the Army instructions here:

https://peosoldier.army.mil/docs/blog/weaponspainting101.pdf

6

Have you ever replaced the barrel on an AK? They are not a simple swap like on an AR at all. I can see the paint bubbling off from heat as a concern. I wouldn’t treat it as a common wear item though.

7

Well cool, thanks for that information.