Painted gun case

[Rickwales]

Looking for some inspiration and advice please.

Sons brought an aluminium gun case and wants to paint it. The case is used, and has dents etc.

He originally wanted to paint it in the Berlin tank camo colours, but when he realised the cost of the paint he's not so sure now.

I have few cans of NATO green lying around. So I thought maybe paint it like an ammo tin and slap some yellow stencilling on it.

I know painting aluminium can be a pain, it would need gentle sanding and some acid etch primer.

Is it worth doing? Or is just gonna look shite? That's my concern.

 

[Rickwales]

It's a nice looking double layer case.

 

[Shep120181]

Looking for some inspiration and advice please.

Sons brought an aluminium gun case and wants to paint it. The case is used, and has dents etc.

He originally wanted to paint it in the Berlin tank camo colours, but when he realised the cost of the paint he's not so sure now.

I have few cans of NATO green lying around. So I thought maybe paint it like an ammo tin and slap some yellow stencilling on it.

I know painting aluminium can be a pain, it would need gentle sanding and some acid etch primer.

Is it worth doing? Or is just gonna look shite? That's my concern.

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Hiya buddy

I throw paint on literally anything and everything just to make it mine

But if you want to play cautious use paint like Montana gold krylon or even some model paints from the likes of hobbycraft that way if it’s not looking great nail polish or acetone from eBay takes it all off like it never happened

I’d also recommend if a pattern in particular you wish to do look for some plastic multi use templates Amazon Etsy or again hobbycraft are the cheapest they also clean off easily with normal washing liquid

For the ammo can look I’d try using those stencils we used to have at school for the lettering etc might give you the look your after

Then some silver weathering in the edges

Don’t start me off on this topic lol I bloody love rattle canning not saying I’m good but I still love it lol

 

[Rickwales]

Hiya buddy

I throw paint on literally anything and everything just to make it mine

But if you want to play cautious use paint like Montana gold krylon or even some model paints from the likes of hobbycraft that way if it’s not looking great nail polish or acetone from eBay takes it all off like it never happened

I’d also recommend if a pattern in particular you wish to do look for some plastic multi use templates Amazon Etsy or again hobbycraft are the cheapest they also clean off easily with normal washing liquid

For the ammo can look I’d try using those stencils we used to have at school for the lettering etc might give you the look your after

Then some silver weathering in the edges

Don’t start me off on this topic lol I bloody love rattle canning not saying I’m good but I still love it lol

Click to shrink...

Brilliant reply, thanks. I also enjoy spraying things... I'm getting better over time.
I was looking at those stencils, I read the army actually used stamps.

I had some success using food dyes on wooden Gunstocks in the past. Did one in orange and then waxed it. Looked cool and after 10 mins of use it dyed your hands and face... Used to love lending it out.

 

[Big Cheese]

Ali Express do camo stencil sheets. £5 for a large job lot. I used the hex printed ones. Came up ok.
I never like the 'new look'

 

[Shep120181]

Brilliant reply, thanks. I also enjoy spraying things... I'm getting better over time.
I was looking at those stencils, I read the army actually used stamps.

I had some success using food dyes on wooden Gunstocks in the past. Did one in orange and then waxed it. Looked cool and after 10 mins of use it dyed your hands and face... Used to love lending it out.

Click to shrink...

Mate however you do it be sure to update this thread so we can see how ya did

 

[Cannonfodder]

I say go for it, but If they're ever planning on using public transport to get to a game then bare in mind that any gun or military related paint jobs will attract attention.

 

[Rickwales]

I say go for it, but If they're ever planning on using public transport to get to a game then bare in mind that any gun or military related paint jobs will attract attention.

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Totally agree, luckily I drive for now... My eyesight is deteriorating tho, so that will definitely change one day.

 

[HeadlessThomsonGunner]

Looking for some inspiration and advice please.

Sons brought an aluminium gun case and wants to paint it. The case is used, and has dents etc.

He originally wanted to paint it in the Berlin tank camo colours, but when he realised the cost of the paint he's not so sure now.

I have few cans of NATO green lying around. So I thought maybe paint it like an ammo tin and slap some yellow stencilling on it.

I know painting aluminium can be a pain, it would need gentle sanding and some acid etch primer.

Is it worth doing? Or is just gonna look shite? That's my concern.

Click to shrink...

Definitely give it a go, for a congo merc kit I put together, I brought similar case, made some wood paneling for the sides, and painted the case brown with painted brass furnishings. Also brought some foam and cut out the space for my fal and mags, then covered the area in rust coloured fabric, similar to how tm presents some of their pistols. It's been a year and it has had the absolute crap kicked out of it, but I still get compliments. We need more personalisation in gun cases! Not only does it make the safe zone more interesting, but it helps with identification.

 

[Rickwales]

Definitely give it a go, for a congo merc kit I put together, I brought similar case, made some wood paneling for the sides, and painted the case brown with painted brass furnishings. Also brought some foam and cut out the space for my fal and mags, then covered the area in rust coloured fabric, similar to how tm presents some of their pistols. It's been a year and it has had the absolute crap kicked out of it, but I still get compliments. We need more personalisation in gun cases! Not only does it make the safe zone more interesting, but it helps with identification.

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Pictures?

 

[HeadlessThomsonGunner]

Pictures?

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Here you go mate, sorry about the wait, box was buried, turns out I didn't have any photos of the outside to hand
Here's hows its looking after about a year of abuse, it's comedically long so it hits just about everything, the wood has lifted off the box so i'll probably seal that down again soon. Otherwise it's held up remarkably well, I find more dull finishes last longer anyhow.

P.s the photos got flipped in sending somehow, so apologies about the crazy angles.

 

[Rickwales]

That looks brilliant mate. Thanks

 

[HeadlessThomsonGunner]

That looks brilliant mate. Thanks

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Cheers mate, hope it can help with some inspiration! Sometimes you just gotta send it and see what happens

 

[Rickwales]

Cheers mate, hope it can help with some inspiration! Sometimes you just gotta send it and see what happens

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Think we are going for the Berlin tank camo.
Got 12 cans of fiat earth brown paint cheap. So thinking use that as the base colour then add white and the blue/grey on top in squares. The blue paint seems the most expensive.

He's decided to just just paint the panels and mask off the silver aluminium. I will let him do it his way, he needs to learn and it's all good fun.

Do you think I'll need primer on the panels?
Cheers

 

[Rickwales]

Just arrived. It's a beast. Gonna kill my back carrying it fully loaded.

 

[Tommikka]

Do you think I'll need primer on the panels?
Cheers

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Need is a matter of opinion
Painting is always a matter of results matching the preparation

See what the paints recommend, but in theory ensuring the panels are clean/degreased and roughened could be enough
But a base layer is never wasted, whether that’s a formal primer or just a first layer of the background colour.

I’ve often gone pretty much right to the colour painting, but I also like rough & ready with multiple thin layers to take some of the battering

But as you’ve mentioned it’s his first project, then it won’t hurt to start with a primer or at least a recommendation to him to look into the paint manufacturer recommendations and he can learn from experience

 

[Rickwales]

Need is a matter of opinion
Painting is always a matter of results matching the preparation

See what the paints recommend, but in theory ensuring the panels are clean/degreased and roughened could be enough
But a base layer is never wasted, whether that’s a formal primer or just a first layer of the background colour.

I’ve often gone pretty much right to the colour painting, but I also like rough & ready with multiple thin layers to take some of the battering

But as you’ve mentioned it’s his first project, then it won’t hurt to start with a primer or at least a recommendation to him to look into the paint manufacturer recommendations and he can learn from experience

Click to shrink...

Brilliant reply, thanks mate.

 

[Rickwales]

Need is a matter of opinion
Painting is always a matter of results matching the preparation

See what the paints recommend, but in theory ensuring the panels are clean/degreased and roughened could be enough
But a base layer is never wasted, whether that’s a formal primer or just a first layer of the background colour.

I’ve often gone pretty much right to the colour painting, but I also like rough & ready with multiple thin layers to take some of the battering

But as you’ve mentioned it’s his first project, then it won’t hurt to start with a primer or at least a recommendation to him to look into the paint manufacturer recommendations and he can learn from experience

Click to shrink...

Another silly question please, do I need to remove the masking tape between coats? I always have before, but it's going to cost a fortune in masking tape.
Thanks

 

[Tommikka]

Another silly question please, do I need to remove the masking tape between coats? I always have before, but it's going to cost a fortune in masking tape.
Thanks

Click to shrink...

I would just leave masking on throughout
If you remove it then replace it for another layer then you wouldn’t get it precisely in the same position, so for example the second mask could end up keeping a base layer

 

[HeadlessThomsonGunner]

Think we are going for the Berlin tank camo.
Got 12 cans of fiat earth brown paint cheap. So thinking use that as the base colour then add white and the blue/grey on top in squares. The blue paint seems the most expensive.

He's decided to just just paint the panels and mask off the silver aluminium. I will let him do it his way, he needs to learn and it's all good fun.

Do you think I'll need primer on the panels?
Cheers

Click to shrink...

That's something different! I look forward to seeing what it turns out like , if you decide to use primer, see if you can find one in a similar colour, that way if it chips it won't show up. I believe that's what I did, from memory, matte paints also work well as a substitute.
Those specialty colours can be pricey, will be worth it in the end though!

That's the best way to do it, sometimes the journey of figuring it out is very rewarding in itself.

Tommikka has good advice, leave the tape throughout, frog tape is great stuff, if you can get hold of it.

Look forward to the end result!