Custom Paint on my new Rifle

[LckyTylr]

I bought a used Remington 700 7mm RUM a month ago that had a Terrible paint job on it. I have had plans for a long time to paint a synthetic stock in a digital scheme . . . this was my chance.

Hopefully the photos will post. I'm estimating that it's taken me at least 25 hours with all of the sanding, prepping, vinyl cutting, taping, painting, stripping . . . repeat. It's been a VERY involved process. I'm sure that I'll do this again, as I'm somewhat happy with the end result. Only thing I wish I had done differently was select different color brown. Yes, there is actually brown on there. The final coat was just a bunch of single brown squares, but they brown color is SOOOO close to the OD Green that you can't tell the difference. Grrr.

[LckyTylr]

HALF of the vinyl stickers I had to cut. All 1/4" x 1/4".

[LckyTylr]

In Progress

[LckyTylr]

Working away. . .

[LckyTylr]

Pluggin along. . .

[LckyTylr]

Almost there . . .

[LckyTylr]

FINISHED!!!

[LckyTylr]

Couldn't resist . . . one more.

[LckyTylr]

The paint can suggests several days cure time. It doesn't specify how long "several days" is and it doesn't say how long between coats with the exception of same-color coats. Well, since there's an awful lot of work in between coats, I had to wait the "several days" each time. I decided on 5 days between coats, so this took me 20 days to do this.

Now I get to do it allllllll over again with the scope that I'm getting for Christmas!!!!! Should look pretty sweet with matching scope and stock.

[FemoralArchery]

I like it. I have never seen one exactly like it.

I painted one with OD green and rust brown. Then I used skateboard type grip tape where the old checkering used to be. It turned out... unique... I like yours more than mine.

[Swede]

It looks very sharp. Nice workmanship.

[LckyTylr]

Thanks Guys. I have seen some online . . . some digital . . . and some snake scales . . . but none with both. I think it turned out okay considering that it's rattle can and my first attempt at something like this. I could certainly do better I think, maybe if I wasn't finishing up my last semester of school, working 35 hrs/week and trying to still spend time with my Wife and 10-Month old Son . . .

[pointysticks]

that looks fantastic!!

how do you even know how to do that? very very good job. i love it.

and i love your choice of beer!! that is a great beer. i think I've put about a thousand of those beer bottles into a recycling bin over the years. i remember when fat tire was just coming out and it was super difficult to find.

[LckyTylr]

I think painting things is part of my DNA. My Dad is a retired High School Art teacher, a sign painter (no computer imaging, all hand painted), and a jack of all trades. I learned to be pretty handy with a paint brush and MANY woodworking tools while growing up with him . . . probably the reason that I'm a Project Engineer for a General Contractor. I'm not sure I "knew" how to approach this project, but it wasn't something that took too much thought, just a LOT of preparation. Dear ol' Dad would be proud that I'm using my artistic ability, but as you Dad's know, I can't give him that satisfaction. He might tell me "I told ya so" or something.

Fat Tire is my Go-To Beer. Mac & Jacks is the only other beer in the same ballpark in my opinion.

[FemoralArchery]

Your rifle turned out similar to Kuiu's new Verde camo. I don't know which came first, but you might get some copyright money out of this, or you might get sued...

[LckyTylr]

I guess that's a compliment.

But no, I can't get sued, as I'm not selling it.

Even if I was, they'd have a hell of a time proving that I copied their design as it's something that the Military has been doing for quite some time.

I'll have to look up their pattern and see what it's like.

[LckyTylr]

I should edit that last post . . . . but HOLY HELL they are CLOSE!!!

I swear I had never seen their camo before . . . now I might have to buy some, that stuff is AWESOME!

Too bad my pockets aren't a LOT deeper.

[FemoralArchery]

I saw the camo after I saw your rifle, and I thought, "Man, it says its new, but I feel like I've seen that before."

You would have a heck of a setup if you had a full KUIU setup and that rifle. Probably make for some good pictures.

I know what you mean about the deep pockets though, I could buy a brand new rifle and scope for what some of those clothing sets cost.

[LckyTylr]

With Scope!!! Looks COOL I think.

[LckyTylr]

Now I need your input. As I have stated before, I only painted this for looks, not for so much because I'm trying to be sneaky. As my action and barrel are SS, the black scope bothers me.

I'm considering painting the scope the same digi scheme as the stock. Obviously, I'm going to have to tape off all joints of moving components so that I don't hinder movement. Also, I can't paint the rings or bases as the paint won't stick and I can't paint any of the nomenclature on it, so there will still be black showing even after paint, but it will get rid of a lot of it.

What do you think? Paint scope or leave it?

[LckyTylr]

Bump.

Any input . . . paint scope or leave it?

[dotman]

Leave it for a year then decide.

[LckyTylr]

A Year!!!! It's driving me nuts, I'm not sure I can wait until the morning to decide.

[pointysticks]

i would have a difficult time painting a new riflescope.

no so sure i could do it!! i vote leave it.

[LckyTylr]

Yeah, I understand. It's going to be awfully difficult to commit to that first coat of paint. The most important part of the whole project would be prepping with tape. There are so many funny radii that need to be taped off and would require a lot of attention-to-detail. The more I think about it though I really think I could do a professional looking job.

I think the biggest problem is that I haven't seen very many scopes painted to match stocks, but the few that I have seen were rushed jobs with little effort. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it well. But like pointysticks said, painting a brand new scope just seems wrong . . . but I REALLY want to try it.

Hmmmm . . . I live a very privileged life considering how much of my thoughts are concentrated on this.

[LckyTylr]

A message from Customer Service at Vortex, these guys are AWESOME.

Tyler,

Your new paint job looks awesome! That’s some great work right there… Seriously awesome. If you would like to paint the scope, feel free. Painting does not void the warranty in any way and you can feel free to paint whichever parts will help you get the best look. Obviously, you already know which parts not to paint so I won’t even go there, but paint without fear! Thanks again, Tyler, and please let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.


All the best,

Jim Jordan
Vortex Optics
www.vortexoptics.com