sheldon0131
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how’s the paint job?
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Cannonfodder
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It looks like a base layer of tan then stripes of brown ove the top. Looking closer some of the edges were probably done with some kind of stencil, possibly strips of masking tape
Have a watch of a few videos
View: https://youtu.be/SvabEGvyta4?si=rJYV_anWJeYHp1jl
I’m inclined to say the dark brown “pattern” was painted in a similar way to the next video:
View: https://youtu.be/mV_Rzhnwswo?si=kV9TFt1b4IhpGAAd
First prepare - Clean all surfaces, potentially roughen the existing finish with some light glass paper etc. The next preparation step is to remove anything that can be removed, block any holes that can be blocked, tape over anything that remains and must not be painted
For initial painting at least, separate the removable pieces, (at least the magazines)
Pick a good environment with air flow, lay down old newspaper, a cardboard box etc
If you can, hang up the parts to be painted, that allows you to turn them instead of painting one side at a time
For proper painting results paint a light base colour (the traditional base colour is matt white, but the primary colour you intend to use may have an alternative recommended base colour)
For at least the base paint (the light tan in the example keep the pieces separate
Paint each layer very thin. Don’t spray on thick, it’s better to do more light layers than a single thick layer. Allow time between layers to dry off (that’s easier when painting multiple separate parts as you can go on them one at a time, allowing the first item to settle
For your final colour such as the dark brown you may want to fit some of the separate parts together so the pattern flows across where they join
With that style of pattern the brown could be purely by hand (sweep across rather than spraying in one place)
But it does have some signs that indicate a mask/stencil was used by holding a little above - e.g. the triangle -ish point going onto the grip could have had a card held just above for an edge line, but by holding it up the spray does soften / blend the edges
Stencils can be leaves, nets etc as shown in some videos, masking tape (rip the tape for irregular edges) or pieces of card / paper cut into a pattern (or just the edge of a sheet)
For hard edges tape down the stencil, for soft edges hold the stencil above (or combine both by sticking the stencil for an initial pattern and then holding it above for extra layers to soften edges)
I’m inclined to say the dark brown “pattern” was painted in a similar way to the next video:
First prepare - Clean all surfaces, potentially roughen the existing finish with some light glass paper etc. The next preparation step is to remove anything that can be removed, block any holes that can be blocked, tape over anything that remains and must not be painted
For initial painting at least, separate the removable pieces, (at least the magazines)
Pick a good environment with air flow, lay down old newspaper, a cardboard box etc
If you can, hang up the parts to be painted, that allows you to turn them instead of painting one side at a time
For proper painting results paint a light base colour (the traditional base colour is matt white, but the primary colour you intend to use may have an alternative recommended base colour)
For at least the base paint (the light tan in the example keep the pieces separate
Paint each layer very thin. Don’t spray on thick, it’s better to do more light layers than a single thick layer. Allow time between layers to dry off (that’s easier when painting multiple separate parts as you can go on them one at a time, allowing the first item to settle
For your final colour such as the dark brown you may want to fit some of the separate parts together so the pattern flows across where they join
With that style of pattern the brown could be purely by hand (sweep across rather than spraying in one place)
But it does have some signs that indicate a mask/stencil was used by holding a little above - e.g. the triangle -ish point going onto the grip could have had a card held just above for an edge line, but by holding it up the spray does soften / blend the edges
Stencils can be leaves, nets etc as shown in some videos, masking tape (rip the tape for irregular edges) or pieces of card / paper cut into a pattern (or just the edge of a sheet)
For hard edges tape down the stencil, for soft edges hold the stencil above (or combine both by sticking the stencil for an initial pattern and then holding it above for extra layers to soften edges)
There was an official British Army weapons painting guide in the Afghanistan era, which went through a “keep it simple” guide, and as its was intended to stop soldiers screwing up their weapons it stressed good masking and not overdoing layers to avoid more problems later when removing the paint
I can’t see it publicly at the moment, but there is a US guide linked below
This Kit! Magazine references it, but I can’t see if the relevant AESP full guides made it out to the public
I can’t see it publicly at the moment, but there is a US guide linked below
This Kit! Magazine references it, but I can’t see if the relevant AESP full guides made it out to the public
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Cannonfodder
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Bare in mind that temperature can also affect the finish. You'll want the air temperature to be above 5°C at the minimum, preferably over 10°
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