rattle can paint for stock questions- * Updated 11/12/23 *

Trogon

WKR
Joined
Feb 17, 2015
Messages
1,303
Location
CO
I used to paint stocks as a side gig. Not all polymer stocks are created equal, that's for certain.
1. Scuff with a brillo pad or similar. Some stocks with more nylon will get fuzzy if you do more.
2. Degrease with your choice of solvent. Denatured alcohol was my preference, but a good soapy water and rinse works well too.
3. Tikka stocks were notorious for the paint not sticking. That is, until I started using the aerosol adhesion promoter spray I found at the local auto store. MUCH better. I then used that on every polymer stock I painted. Result improved significantly. NOTE - my results were based on a lot of stenciled camo patterns where the stenciling would pull the paint. It's unlikely to be noticed if you're just painting the stock with a spraypaint.
4. 2-3 coats. I'd follow the instructions on the can for reapplication times. Multiple light coats are better than fewer heavy coats.
5. If just using a spraypaint, I'd cover with a matte clearcoat just to help protect it from cleaning solvents.

Do you have any recommendations for adding a "McMillan texture" to a stock?
 

grfox92

WKR
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Messages
2,771
Location
NW WY
I'm getting ready to paint an x bolt stock, and was planning on using Clear Brownells Alumahyde epoxy over my spray paint job. Just an idea.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Jul 27, 2021
Messages
1,605
I done a stock on a 257 BOB a few years back and used the same paint you mention, the process was fairly simple first cleaned the stock using alcohol, then used a green scotch pad to go over the surface of the stock then once again cleaned with alcohol shot the stock let dry has been holding up well. No over coats of anything just the paint, the rifle gets used a good bit and looks like the day I painted it.
 
OP
mtwarden

mtwarden

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
10,603
Location
Montana
I haven't found a new paint yet, but definitely not using the textured paint again- while it looked good (and felt good in hand)- it's like fine sand and simply rubs off with use.
 
Joined
Apr 3, 2013
Messages
3,580
Location
Somewhere between here and there
Mike,

I used the stone texture paint you did on a rifle this year. It wore terribly bad, even with thorough prep and a clear coat.

I’ve used the sand texture paints from Rustoleum and then over sprayed with the webbing paint. My Kimber still looks really good after a couple years of use.

I do the following:

1. Light sand
2. Degrease with denatured alcohol
3. Self etching primer
4. Paint
5. Webbing
6. Matte clear coat

Minimum 2-3 weeks cure before using.IMG_0166.jpegIMG_0168.jpegIMG_0167.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Unckebob

WKR
Joined
Aug 21, 2022
Messages
1,103
Mike,

I used the stone texture paint you did on a rifle this year. It wore terribly bad, even with thorough prep and a clear coat.

I’ve used the sand texture paints from Rustoleum and then over sprayed with the webbing paint. My Kimber still looks really good after a couple years of use.

I do the following:

1. Light sand
2. Degrease with denatured alcohol
3. Self etching primer
4. Paint
5. Webbing
6. Matte clear coat

Minimum 2-3 weeks cure before using.

Where did you get your webbing? I did my AR with webbing years ago and has worn well. Unfortunately, I moved and lost it in the move.
 

hereinaz

WKR
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
Dec 21, 2016
Messages
3,695
Location
Arizona
I have had good luck with camo paints covered with a couple coats of flat clear coat.

I have also been thinking of truck bed or garage floor epoxys that you can roll on and then add texture. The Brownells alumshyde is probably similar but for some reason I don’t feel like messing with that stuff.
 
OP
mtwarden

mtwarden

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
10,603
Location
Montana
Jason - good info- sand vs stone texture, didn’t know there was a sand- I’ll give that a go- thanks

Yeah stone is a no go

Mike
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Messages
42
Location
Florida
Southpaw CTR in 6.5 creed. Probably nearing the 30th rifle I have painted. Rapco field drab on the barreled action/scope and Rapco olive khaki/Rustoleum camo tan on the stock. No clear coat as usual
 

Attachments

  • CDF8398A-5ED6-426C-87CE-027BB5057288.jpeg
    CDF8398A-5ED6-426C-87CE-027BB5057288.jpeg
    216.3 KB · Views: 109
  • 181968A4-1EAF-4BC6-954C-A66FAC537EDD.jpeg
    181968A4-1EAF-4BC6-954C-A66FAC537EDD.jpeg
    442.3 KB · Views: 107

matthewmt

WKR
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,663
Southpaw CTR in 6.5 creed. Probably nearing the 30th rifle I have painted. Rapco field drab on the barreled action/scope and Rapco olive khaki/Rustoleum camo tan on the stock. No clear coat as usual
Rapco a vehicle paint, and how has it held up?


Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 

buffybr

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 3, 2024
Messages
173
Location
Bozangles, MT
I've done a half dozen or so in the last 10-15 years.

Like a few others have posted, I clean the stock with alcohol, tape off any part that I don't want painted (like the checkering), then spray on 2 coats of Valspar or Rustoleum of the color that I want. A day later I give the stocks a spider web look with Krylon Marbelizing paint. Practice a few strokes with the Marbelizing paint on a sheet of cardboard to learn the speed of the strokes for the finish that you want. I've never done a clear top coat.

Here's a few that I've done. My 3 Weatherby Vanguards. Top is my .300 Wby with a AA Fancy walnut stock that I built for it, but I hate to take it out in foul weather, so I also fitted a separate Griptonite stock for it.
digtIQ1h.jpg



My .300 Wby with it's foul weather stock.
yAwrv73h.jpg


My Rem 700 7 mm Rem mag that I fitted in a Weatherby Griptonite stock.
08wGfWDh.jpg


My Rem 870 "ugly gun" with new paint and spiderweb.
gGHcSnhh.jpg
 

Mcfish

FNG
Joined
Jan 29, 2024
Messages
69
Location
Sunset side of the Mitten
I've done a half dozen or so in the last 10-15 years.

Like a few others have posted, I clean the stock with alcohol, tape off any part that I don't want painted (like the checkering), then spray on 2 coats of Valspar or Rustoleum of the color that I want. A day later I give the stocks a spider web look with Krylon Marbelizing paint. Practice a few strokes with the Marbelizing paint on a sheet of cardboard to learn the speed of the strokes for the finish that you want. I've never done a clear top coat.

Here's a few that I've done. My 3 Weatherby Vanguards. Top is my .300 Wby with a AA Fancy walnut stock that I built for it, but I hate to take it out in foul weather, so I also fitted a separate Griptonite stock for it.
digtIQ1h.jpg



My .300 Wby with it's foul weather stock.
yAwrv73h.jpg


My Rem 700 7 mm Rem mag that I fitted in a Weatherby Griptonite stock.
08wGfWDh.jpg


My Rem 870 "ugly gun" with new paint and spiderweb.
gGHcSnhh.jpg
Beautiful job!
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Messages
42
Location
Florida
Rapco a vehicle paint, and how has it held up?


Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
It has held up great so far. I don’t baby anything, and I rattle can rifles with the understanding that they become more effective camouflage as the paint gets dinged up with time. Mostly I just despise shiny finishes on anything I will be using in the woods. The Rapco paint has held up potentially better than the usual rustoleum camo especially on the scope and barreled action. Seemed to cure nice and hard. A couple small dings on the plastic factory stock but this rifle has spent a lot of time riding around strapped to my pack with a tripod so I am very happy.

I did a few base coats on the barreled action and scope and due to my busy schedule they had about two weeks of cure time before use. The stock only got a single base coat and maybe two days of cure time.
 

matthewmt

WKR
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,663
It has held up great so far. I don’t baby anything, and I rattle can rifles with the understanding that they become more effective camouflage as the paint gets dinged up with time. Mostly I just despise shiny finishes on anything I will be using in the woods. The Rapco paint has held up potentially better than the usual rustoleum camo especially on the scope and barreled action. Seemed to cure nice and hard. A couple small dings on the plastic factory stock but this rifle has spent a lot of time riding around strapped to my pack with a tripod so I am very happy.

I did a few base coats on the barreled action and scope and due to my busy schedule they had about two weeks of cure time before use. The stock only got a single base coat and maybe two days of cure time.
I've painted a lot of guns and always really liked aervoe because of the cure. They're discontinued at this point but it seemed similar to the product you used. Longer dry times but more durable than rust/krylon.
What kind of prep for barreld action? Tikka bluing sucks for surface rust so I've wanted to cerakote it but hard to justify the cost (300$).

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Messages
42
Location
Florida
I've painted a lot of guns and always really liked aervoe because of the cure. They're discontinued at this point but it seemed similar to the product you used. Longer dry times but more durable than rust/krylon.
What kind of prep for barreld action? Tikka bluing sucks for surface rust so I've wanted to cerakote it but hard to justify the cost (300$).

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Aervoe was the Jam! But sadly no more. Rapco is the next best alternative I have found. I just wiped the entire barreled action down with acetone and masked off the bolt raceway and ejection port as well as the holes for the action screws and trigger.
 
Top