Stock airsoft paints?

[8thArmy]

What kind of paint does airsoft manufactures use? i tried to repaint my guns with paints like krylon and tamiya but they came off like egg shells with a little scratch of nails...
The original paints on my gun (Tanaka kar98) are very thin black layer.

-Heinz

[Firewalker]

They powder coat most metal parts. You're not going to find that in Canadian Tire.

Plastics are usually dyed at the manufacturing level. Again, not going to find that at Canadian Tire.

If you want professional gun paint. Check out DuraCoat from Lauer Custom Weaponry. http://www.lauerweaponry.com/

Cheaper option would be to use Testors Model/ Hobby paint. Find it in spray cans at hobby shops.

[Azriel_Strife]

I find the krylon sticks ALOT better if you rough up the surface with 400 grip sandpaper before hand. then you wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry before painting.

[CrankTheBoost]

I personally use this: http://www.duplicolor.com/products/bumper.html

I used it last week to paint the grip and stock of my AK (ran out of time to paint the rest) and it held up exceptionally well. I even took a direct hit to the stock and while it did leave a slight mark, there wasn't anything major like chipping or spider-webbing.

Definitely rough up the surface first though, I had used a old set of modelling sandpaper and they worked pretty well.

[8thArmy]

Originally Posted by Firewalker

They powder coat most metal parts. You're not going to find that in Canadian Tire.

Plastics are usually dyed at the manufacturing level. Again, not going to find that at Canadian Tire.

If you want professional gun paint. Check out DuraCoat from Lauer Custom Weaponry. http://www.lauerweaponry.com/

Cheaper option would be to use Testors Model/ Hobby paint. Find it in spray cans at hobby shops.

Thanks again walker!

[DENZILDON]

Sanding makes a big difference so that the paint can hold on to the surface!

[DefCon 1]

DuraCoat is the best, it doesn't flake at all.

It's the best paint I've tried. Can't go wrong with it, easy to airbrush also.

[gerbalfarm]

the key is prep work. the better you prep the gun the better your paint finish will be and the longer it will last. you want to sand the parts to be painted i used 240grit to start and finished with 400grit. clean the parts of so they are dust free and than prime the parts, apply 2 coats and than lightley sand then parts again, 400grit should be good, all your doing is getting rid of any over spray/dust that settled into the primer as it dried. than clean it till dust free and apply 2 even coats of your base colour. once your finished with the colour you can as an added layer of protection put a coat or two of clear coat over everything. It's an involved process but it really pays of in the end. Hope that helps you out.

[8thArmy]

Thank you so much for the tips guys!
Duracoat paint it is! and thank you gerbalfarm for the tips on prep work!

[Dusti69]

krylon makes that new spraypaint thats supposed to bond to plastic if youre wanting to paint plastic parts. though i havent noticed any dif than reg krylon cuz it still gets rubbed off and still gets gooey from the oils in your skin.

[panzergrenadier]

Originally Posted by Firewalker

They powder coat most metal parts. You're not going to find that in Canadian Tire.

Plastics are usually dyed at the manufacturing level. Again, not going to find that at Canadian Tire.

If you want professional gun paint. Check out DuraCoat from Lauer Custom Weaponry. http://www.lauerweaponry.com/

Cheaper option would be to use Testors Model/ Hobby paint. Find it in spray cans at hobby shops.

The Testors stuff works real nice... That's what I use on my rifles...

[Firewalker]

Originally Posted by panzergrenadier

The Testors stuff works real nice... That's what I use on my rifles...

I found that it scratches off in some cases of heavy use, but it's cheap enough on the budget and easy enough to find that it really doesn't matter how much damage to the paint occurs, you can just reapply.

Testors is the cheap way to go if you're looking for wide selection of colour. It's just a shame it isn't more durable, or it'd be -THE- perfect airsoft paint. No point in shelling out big bucks on DuraCoat if you've got access to Testors.

Here's my scale of quality (best to "so-so"):

DuraCoat
Testors
Krylon
Roberts*

*Roberts hasn't been discussed, but I find the cost to return ratio isn't good enough for a field gun. I've heard of some people using it and being happy with the results.

It's an automotive touch-up paint in a spray can. Mind you, the colours are awesome, and you can colour match almost every car. But for airsoft, it falls short in durabilty and cost. Though I would recommend it for a show gun above the others, that's for damn sure, especially if you want to match it to Jeep OD.

Plus it doesn't hurt that they're located in Longueuil, Quebec.

[SEALs]

Testor works really well, the key is simply apply a matte clear coating finish and it will be very durable, anyway, you'll find that when the paint get skratched up, it gives that very nice look of a duty rifle that went oversea.

Here's my M4 painted with krylon and coated with mat finish

[Firewalker]

That colour makes my eyes bleed, but I assume it has a function and isn't just that bright colour for shits and giggles... Although, I've been wrong before.

[Rookie Ab]

Just wondering if you know where in Canada, can you buy duracoat . I am also looking for a paint for metal parts.That I've been told about ,you air brush it on ,then throw it in your oven for an hour or so.The only way to remove the paint after it's baked is sand blasting . Thanxs