Learn to paint your selector/trademark markings

[Solidsnake87]

I know there are a lot of people who desire to know how to fill in their selector markings. I tried to come up with some methods that involve things you can easily find around the house. The first method I list is an older idea I heard from a buddy. Obviously you can send your parts in for custom paint jobs or take lots of time to do it yourself with stencils or fine brushes. I'm just trying to share some really quick ways to produce some really fancy results.


Method 1.) Use crayons
Thats right, crayons! Just scribble away at your markings with white, red, green, orange,..........pink? Whatever color floats ur boat will work. Cake on the wax really thick and wipe off the excess. Re-apply as needed. The advantage of this method is its cheap and easy to touch-up or change coloring. They are also easy to remove. Do not use this method on thin lines or lines that do not go deeply into the receiver. This method is best for thick bold lettering or thin deep lettering/lines. Used on my AK pictured

Method 2.) White out
This method is messy but worth it if you want something more permanent then crayon. Slather over your trademarks and any writing you want to be colored white. Glob this stuff onto the lettering within reason. The more excess you add, the more time it will take to remove. After the white out has dried, take a CLP coated cloth and gently wipe down the receiver/parts. The CLP will dissolve the excess white out and leave very definitive white lines on your parts. Do not use this method on rough surfaces because it may be hard to remove the paint. Don't use this method on thin shallow lines either or the white out will just come out of the lines as you wipe it up. I used this method on my essential arms receivers and most of my stag. I say most because its near impossible to do the deer logo with this method. The antlers kept wiping off.


Method 3.) Acrylic Paint with Water
This is the fastest, simplest, and best method of painting ANYTHING of any shape or size. Its more permanent than crayon but lasts well and is a really pretty finish. Touching up is only required if it comes in contact with clp, ect.. Just place whatever color of paint u want in a bottle cap mix a small amount of water with the paint. Just a tiny bit of water is needed to dissolve the paint. Just take a brush and just barely touch whatever shape you hope to fill. The cohesive forces of the water will suck your paint right into the shape with near perfection. Take your girlfriend's hair drier and evaporate the water from the paint. Repeat the process only if the paint is not thick enough to your standards. Just take a finger and gently wipe off any excess paint. I used this on my stag logo and Magpul PRS stock.

Here are some pics.

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/4476/logo1yy4.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1135/logo2df6.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1792/logo3lc4.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7805/logo4kk3.jpg

[Tweak338]

Sticky?
how about a Sticky Forum section too..

[Solidsnake87]

I don't know how to sticky a thread. sorry. :confused:

[TonyNorCal]

I don't know how to sticky a thread. sorry. :confused:

A mod has to do it.

Thanks for the info...nice write-up and some nice weaponry there:)

[savage1]

I use the crayons as well. I found if you fill in the lettering and really pack it in there, then take a lighter and heat the crayon in the lettering up just enough to turn it liquidy, but not boil it, then take the lighter away and hit it one wore time with the crayon it comes out perfect. Then just buff off what is on the actual lower from around the lettering. Heating it up seems to "suck" the crayon a little deeper into the stamping and also smmoths out the crayon wax as well. And if you don't like it, clp and a little elbow grease will take it right off.

[double_action]

WD-40 works really well to remove crayons too.

[tophatjones]

That is a very nice!

[Parag]

'Course you realize that you no longer have evil black rifles. They're not-quite-as-evil mostly-black rifles now. Personally, I'm going to use *black* paint on mine.


-- Parag

[Solidsnake87]

I'm going to use *black* paint on mine.


You do that.

[adamsreeftank]

I think dark grey might be a bit more tacticool, but whatever floats your boat.

[cobra198]

Awesome! Thanks for the guide. Great to know.

[mr2.0]

Nail polish for mine, and a clear coat of nail polish on top of that.

[Pryde]

Instead of acrylic paint, use Testor's model paint and wipe with acetone or simple green to get rid of off the excess. That way it won't run off when you get it wet or you get CLP on it.

Also you won't get the fuzzy white "halo" that the OP has around all his lettering.

[xenophobe]

Other ideas

1) Standard crayons contain wax, and will impregnate into a receiver's finish, and you won't be able to get it out and it will give the anodization around the areas you filled in a waxy glossy look. I know, I did this to one of my receivers and highly regret it.

2) White out? Umm... not very easy to do. It'll dry and chip out when you're trying to clean it up to look nice. Once you have it done right, it holds decent though. It may take several tries to get it right.

3) Paint with water? A bit better than your previous two, but still a bit of a mess to deal with.


Best ways:
Temporary:
1) Oil Pastel Drawing Crayons. You rub them in, wipe them off with a cloth, and then wipe them down with CLP. If you don't like it, oil and a toothbrush removes it. Reapply. It will not just wipe out. Under $3 at an art supply store or Longs Drugs.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/e/e2/250px-Oilpastel.JPG

Permanent:

2) If you want to use paint, go for the Testors Model Paint. Thin it as you would use for airburushing and use a syringe. Fill carefully. This is more permanent.

http://bumblebeeartsupply.com/products/images/airbrush/airbrush2596.jpg

+

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/288749/2/istockphoto_288749_blood_syringe.jpg

A few of mine I've done with the oil pastels:
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2129/68spchj2.jpg

[xenophobe]

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3010/hbar5mb.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/526/barretthg4.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7830/381.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1121/noveske0sw.jpg

[Tweak338]

Xeno.. what the hell is with that blue hammer spring?

[xenophobe]

Oh, that's a Colt target hammer spring.

[Richard]

I used lacquer sticks...and you can get them in different colors.
Brownells has them....as well as other places

It's more of a specialized product....that is more specific for this task.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/ro1964/lackersticks.jpg

[roor1200]

:rofl: i used to do that crayon method on my "pager" a reallllly long time ago to fill in the MOTOROLA! lol yea i know, what are pagers now a days.... but like posted, just press down on them and fill in the cracks and take a lighter to kinda melt off the excess and wipe with a clean towel...... sorry for the echo/repeat.. had to just add my $.000002 :D

[Solidsnake87]

deleted

[xenophobe]

deleted

[pklin1297]

deleted

[pklin1297]

Just painted my markings with plastic model acrylic paint and it turned out great. I did not dilute the paint and just applied to the markings without worrying about painting around it, then about 5 minutes after the application, I wiped it down with Simple Green and the paint outside the markings came right off without removing the paint in the markings. Good method to try.

[sardaukar]

With crayon.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/746/img1065biz4.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7351/img1075bwf4.jpg

[easy]

lacquer stick...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Repair_and_touchup/2/Lacquer_Stick_Finish_Repair.html

[BDH]

The most reliable item I've used for many years is a simple white China marker. They can be found at most office supply places, including the big box office supply businesses. They are usually offered in white and red.

HTH

Bruce

[Applehaus21st]

Very nice collection mate!

[PanzerAce]

fwiw: if you take a hair dryer to the crayon for a little bit, you get a more even filling.

[StAtiC]

I used the oil pastels and they worked great. I will prolly change the green logo back to white.


http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/64/cimg1917xz4.jpg
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/943/cimg1923ru0.jpg

[BDH]

http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/whitelettering/whiteletteringstep1.html

Bruce

[roor1200]

a free crayon offer from toys r us valid only from oct 18-19.:eek:

http://slickdeals.net/?pno=10485&lno=1&afsrc=1

[Ech0Sierra]

Does this work on any blued gun? I have a bunch of white pastels and a Beretta 92. :D

[Josh3239]

I know this is an old thread and has pretty much died, but I just wanted to throw in my experience for anyone thinking of doing this.

I went with the Testor's Acrylic paint and I highly suggest you DON'T go that route. It was messy and was pretty much a headache. It wasted a lot of time and $3 on the paint.

What I do suggest is Crayons. That made everything much easier, cleaner, and quicker. Just scribble the crayons on, wipe away with your finger the excess crayon, then use CLP and a napkin or tissue to wipe away the tougher excess and if you want take a match to the crayon to get it to melt into the engraving.

[Nick5811]

I tried the crayon and testor's paint methods (minus syringe) to mixed results.

Perhaps it's due to the shallow markings on my lower, but the testors paint/simple green worked better than the crayon method.

Mineral spirits is awesome for removing EVERYTHING from your lower (carbon, paint, oil, grease, etc.) Don't try to put the paint over the crayon, because it doesn't seem to work.

I think I'm gonna try to find a good OD pastel crayon thing and try it again.

[Silverfish]

Thanks for the info,

Just finished my first build and stole my kids crayolas. Thanks for getting me in trouble. :D



8236

[Hopi]

I used red billiards chalk....very easy to use
http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n446/equianous/Shane.jpg

[Silverfish]

2nd build under development.......



8778

[lockednloaded]

does anyone know what to use to remove the paint?

[Ballistic043]

what kind of paint?


usually a dental pick, solvent, heat will take it off

[Olav]

I'll contribute:

I used nail polish (my wife has an assortment to choose from). Fill up the roll mark and wipe it off. Remove excess with nail polish remover.

Seems to work well for me.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc212/olava1/ar15/IMG_0621.jpg

[Mad Geek]

what kind of paint?


usually a dental pick, solvent, heat will take it off

I used white automotive engine paint on a pistol slide, and the first time I used an aerosol cleaner (Gun Scrubber) the paint came right out.

[Bruce3]

Has anyone been able to do the stag logo with crayons?

[tenbrook]

Has anyone been able to do the stag logo with crayons?

DONE.....its easy, go for it!

[cvela]

Testors' enamel markers (modeling aisle at wal-mart) work well. I like many prefer plain receivers, but my wife and daughter both NEED the Fire and SAFE color coded. So our 22lr AR's are now colored up for them. The enamel paint has held up great to cleaners, but some did find intself into fine machine pores upon application. Not a big deal, but I notice it, but Im just picky.

[Bruce3]

The most reliable item I've used for many years is a simple white China marker. They can be found at most office supply places, including the big box office supply businesses. They are usually offered in white and red.

HTH

Bruce

+1 on the china markers! i did mine yesterday with great results. try going to your local art supply store before going to office supply stores. you can pick up individual sticks for cheaper at the art stores. a red and white stick cost me grand total of $1.40 which included tax :D

[NorCal E]

How do the crayons hold up in the heat??? It gets kinda warm around here and it seems like the crayon might just melt off.

[Toolbox X]

Please move this thread to the Gunsmithing & How To forum.

[ocabj]

I use white China pencil for Garand receiver markings, ie serial number, rear sight hashed. Never tried it on an AR.

[DANGERCLOSE]

+1 on the lacquer sticks. made specifically for it. works great.

[Toolbox X]

Please move this thread to the Gunsmithing & How To forum.

This thread has absolutely no business (being sticky'd of all things!) in the rifleman's forum.

[HARLEY VATO]

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY HELPFUL THREAD

[FrontlinePs.10]

Other ideas

Permanent:

2) If you want to use paint, go for the Testors Model Paint. Thin it as you would use for airburushing and use a syringe. Fill carefully. This is more permanent.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2129/68spchj2.jpg

Nice tip, but where do you get the syringe with such a fine tip?

[totenkopf]

you can get a syringe with a fine tip at an auto body supply store. they make them for touch up on cars. the one i am thinking of comes with a tiny brush on the end of it. as you push out the material, it coats the brush so you can add just a little at a time.

[GM4spd]

I have my own way for my garand. I have to remove the whole rear sight, Testor's white model paint is the only thing I have ever used,you do have to have a plan,Pete

http://www.fototime.com/A80BDE5DE59B5A1/standard.jpg

[Joe]

I'm going to try this out this weekend with Testors model paint. I'll post pics when I'm done

[sreiter]

never tried it, but a grease pencil might work

[L6584]

Cool Ideas Thank you

[Luna]

I didnt see it anywhere on this thread but I used oil pastels similar to grease pencils on mine. They worked perfectly. I found they worked better than Crayons because they did not leave any residue. Crayons left a bit of a haze especially with white. The grease pencils are also less prone to melting if they heat up. You can get this stuff at any art or craft store. Sorry about the bad pics.

[uracan]

nice upgrade

[Cokebottle]

Lacquer Stik here
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7778/Product/LACQUER_STIK_reg_

The last 3 digits of the serial number are intentionally smudged in MSpaint, not on the gun.
http://personal.linkline.com/rlockyer/XD9/DSCN1125.JPG
http://personal.linkline.com/rlockyer/XD9/DSCN1126.JPG
http://personal.linkline.com/rlockyer/XD9/DSCN1127.JPG

[JBS]

Some kinda' hobby shop paint I found in the garage....That ain't flash...That's BLING.

[Cokebottle]

Some kinda' hobby shop paint I found in the garage....That ain't flash...That's BLING.
Very nice. It's just yellow enough to look really classy.

[JT1989]

so I'm testing this out on my airsoft m15. what color do you wanna see an armalite logo? white like the rest of the leters, blue like thier logo, or red?

[Cokebottle]

Blue or red.
To much white looks tacky on an AR lower.

[ANDREWMENDEZ]

This is the Method I used:
I bought some Acrylic paint from Micheal's Arts and Crafts for 5 bucks, or you can use one of their "50% of coupons on any item" that they come out with every week (Join the mailing list).
First things first, clean the area with a degreaser to remove any wax or dirt from the are, and let it air dry.
I then used some paper masking tape to quickly cover the areas that I didn't want to paint, and to minimize clean up afterwords.
I squeezed out a tiny bit of the paint onto a toothpick. Instead of using the tip of the toothpick, I actually used the side of it to fill in the lines. To make it even, you should go over it a couple times. You will be able to see what areas need more paint. Let it sit for a couple minutes, its fine if the paint is on other parts of the lower, it cleans off easily with any house hold cleaner. With your clean finger, gently smear any paint that's still not dry. Then take a paper towel and spray the cleaner onto in, and wipe any excess paint off. Remove the paper tape, and clean anything that still needs to be cleaned...That's pretty much it! I still cant believe how well they came out with minimal time and effort.
Pics coming shortly...

[glock_this]

for my 3rd AR, I just used crayons as I always do

[ANDREWMENDEZ]

Sorry I didn't take pics during, but I did not think I would have something worthy of posting on CG!!;)

This is the paint I used
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/bbiggs_/103_7810.jpg

This is what it looked like after:
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/bbiggs_/103_7805.jpg

And here are both of my girls
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/bbiggs_/103_7803.jpg

If you have any addt questions feel free to shoot me a PM!

[ANDREWMENDEZ]

for my 3rd AR, I just used crayons as I always do

I have seen this done before, and it left an odd film that would not come off. Did you have this same problem??

[glock_this]

I have seen this done before, and it left an odd film that would not come off. Did you have this same problem??

yeah, there is a bit of a film. but, it never bothered me really. crayon can be done so quickly & cheaply, like a minute or so per SAFE and FIRE - that is the key for me. I have one that is nearly 5 years old.

as for it "would not come off" - I find that hard to believe, I just not have tried harder than rubbing with a rag.. I suppose some sort of cleaner would work if I tried.

[ANDREWMENDEZ]

yeah, there is a bit of a film. but, it never bothered me really. crayon can be done so quickly & cheaply, like a minute or so per SAFE and FIRE - that is the key for me. I have one that is nearly 5 years old.

as for it "would not come off" - I find that hard to believe, I just not have tried harder than rubbing with a rag.. I suppose some sort of cleaner would work if I tried.

Do you have pics of it? I was tempted to try the Crayons, I actually was looking for a "high quality" crayon, when I stumbled across the paint.

[JT1989]

I use oil pastels, on my Mossberg and my airsoft AR, didn't leave behind anything. Also did a friends, P226. So I would vote pastel over Crayon

[glock_this]

Do you have pics of it? I was tempted to try the Crayons, I actually was looking for a "high quality" crayon, when I stumbled across the paint.

see 2 links in my signature.. you can kind of see it on both. I did it on my new AR pistol and will post pictures after I receive the final piece I need to complete the build next week :)