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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 3, 2024
Customizing AR-15 is becoming a popular DIY project. However, painting your gun with just any paint will destroy not only its appearance but also its resistance to harsh conditions and other factors. If you are unsure of what to look for in spray paint, we got that covered.
Together with the team, we rounded up the top brands to give your rifle the best camouflage look.
- Adheres strongly
- Consistent
- Sprayed on very easily
- Solid layer of paint
- Dries fast
- Moisture-resistant
- Dries fast
- Very natural gloss
- Very easy to apply
- It doesn’t smudge
- Heat resistant
- Look is excellent
- Great color
- Applies evenly
- No peeling
Table of Contents
Top 10 Paints for AR-15
1. Rust-Oleum 7579838-6 PK Professional
Why We Picked It:
We recommend Rust-Oleum if you want to give your rifle a brand new look. It is oil-based with a non-reflective effect.
Painting your gun with it gives an ultra-flat finish which is perfect for that camouflaged look.
We like the product since it is a good fit for different types of surfaces. All Rust-Oleum products dry fast, with several colors to choose from. With adherence, it is good on wood, masonry, and metal surfaces.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Who Should Use It:
Hunters and other rifle owners will enjoy using this high-quality spray paint.
Summary:
Rust-Oleum is a fast-drying paint with multiple colors. It is a good fit for different types of surfaces. It also has a durable finish and has great results.
PROS
- Adheres strongly
- Consistent
- Sprayed on very easily
- Solid layer of paint
- Dries fast
CONS
- Tricky packaging
2. Krylon K05160107
Why We Picked It:
This spray paint features a high moisture-resistance capability. This is best in humid conditions and can help protect your weapon from corrosion caused by this weather condition. The paint takes ten minutes to dry when applied on various surfaces.
Who Should Use It:
We recommend this product to any rifle or gun owners who want even coatings on their firearms.
Summary:
Krylon is a moisture-resistant spray paint that has more than fifty colors available. It has a variety of finishes which is perfect for camouflaging your guns which are all fast-drying.
PROS
- Moisture-resistant
- Dries fast
- Very natural gloss
- Very easy to apply
- It doesn’t smudge
CONS
- Has a strong chemical smell
- Not lasting
3. Dupli-Color EDE161307
This product was originally for engine block coating, durable and long-lasting. It contains ceramic resins that have high-temperature resistance with superb durability.
You will not see it peel or crack, even under 500-degree Fahrenheit heat level. To make your application easier, they included the EZ touch nozzle.
Who Should Use It:
This is for anyone who wants to repaint their firearms, especially hunters or those doing target shooting.
Summary:
If you want a new finish with your weapon of choice, you can use Dupli-color and choose from its numerous colors. This is a durable spray paint that is resistant to heat.
PROS
- Heat resistant
- Look is excellent
- Great color
- Applies evenly
- No peeling
CONS
- Smudges with water
- Takes a while to dry
4. VHT SP130
Why We Picked It:
VHT has high-durability and resistance features, made from urethane (1) and ceramic resins. Topping the second layer with this paint will give you the best results.
This is also high temperature-resistant, up to 550-degrees Fahrenheit. Your hunting equipment can withstand rust and corrosion, as well as chemical exposure.
Who Should Use It:
Hunters, practical shooters, or even regular gun owners can use this product easily.
Summary:
If you are searching for a product with high resistance to heat, this can be the one to use. This is also durable compared to other spray paints as it can stand against corrosion and rust on metal and exposure to chemicals.
PROS
- Heat-resistant
- Consistent with colors
- Tough
- Applies even coating
- Good coverage
CONS
- Takes time to dry
- Spray can issues
5. Rust-Oleum 269038
Why We Picked It:
Rust-Oleum Spray paint is a good choice if you want to camouflage your weapon to blend in with your hunting grounds. There are various colors available which you can use as a base or with the patterns.
It has a unique formula for faster cure time. We also tested Rust-Oleum to be adherent to metal, plastic, or wood.
Who Should Use It:
This durable product would work best for hunters who want to paint their rifles with different colors.
Summary:
Rust-Oleum spray is one of our recommended spray paints in the market. It has multiple colors you can blend for your camouflage-inspired rifle. These are also high-quality paints that ensure maximum durability.
PROS
- Great paint
- Has multiple color options
- Colors are spot on
- Product is durable
- Does not easily chip
CONS
- Not for nylon surfaces
- Takes time to dry
6. Brownells Aluma-Hyde II
Why We Picked It:
Brownells Aluma-Hyde II ends with a semi-gloss finish which is exceptionally durable. You can paint the entire body of the rifle evenly. Some bake it in the oven to cure it, but the paint is very durable even if you let it dry naturally.
Who Should Use It:
Hunters and other gun owners who want to customize their weapons will enjoy this tough paint.
Summary:
You can use this paint if you want to use tough-quality paint for your rifle. It has a semi-glossy finish. Some users bake it to ensure thorough curing, but that is hard work. You can still expect a good result if you let it dry naturally.
PROS
- Quality paint
- It is very tough
- Strong if cured correctly
- Inexpensive alternative
- Has a nice, even feel
CONS
- Complex to use
- Long curing time
7. Krylon Camouflage
Why We Picked It:
We tried to paint our entire gun with this paint, and it ended up very satisfactory. The paint distributes very well. This is an ideal paint for surfaces like wood, metal, rubber, or plastic without additional prepping. The non-reflective colors make it a good candidate for camouflage painting.
Who Should Use It:
This is for hunters and gun enthusiasts who customize their rifles and give them a camouflage look.
Summary:
Krylon is a known paint brand that produces quality paint that is compatible with most types of surfaces. It distributes evenly, especially on relevant parts of the gun.
PROS
- Quality paint
- No nozzle problems
- Durable and strong
- Chip resistant
- Reasonably priced
CONS
- Thickness builds up quickly
- Cures a long time
8. Hunters Specialties Spray Paint
Why We Picked It:
What we found fascinating about this product are the colors that are true to its description. The spray paint contains the exact shade and color it is labeled with. This is permanent spray paint, and these are very easy to use. It sticks evenly on any hunting equipment you wish to paint.
Who Should Use It:
This spray paint is good for anyone who wants to custom-paint their hunting rifles and other hunting tools.
Summary:
If you have hunting gadgets and shooting tools that you want to customize, this is a good product to use. They have very truthful colors that are very easy to apply evenly.
PROS
- Sprays and covers nice
- Solid color
- Just as advertised
- Works very well
- Good camouflage
CONS
- Have a sticky feel
- Takes longer to dry
9. Wheeler Cerama Coat-Spray On Ceramic Coating
Why We Picked It:
We find this spray paint very durable and is very resistant to chips and scratches. It uses a ceramic-infused formulation that incorporates the base layer materials to ensure that the coat is good. It waterproofs guns and most materials it is used on.
Who Should Use It:
This spray paint is good for gun or boat owners or any other items that need to be painted but exposed outdoors.
Summary:
If you search for a durable painting material that can survive the changing weather outdoors, this is a good product to use. The ceramic-infused formulation produces a durable result on anything that it is sprayed on.
PROS
- Dries into a solid shell
- Very good color
- Great cerakote paint
- Looks great
- Good price
CONS
- Coating cracks
10. Seymour EN-42
Why We Picked It:
This Seymour EN-42 Hi-Tech Spray Paint is designed for maximum durability along with heat resistance up to 300-Degree F. This environment-friendly spray paint is also resistant to gas and chemicals.
Who Should Use It:
This spray paint is good for competitive shooters who expose their guns to the sun most of the time.
Summary:
Seymour has created a quality spray paint that lasts, with a gas, chemical, and heat-resistance feature. It is compatible with multiple surfaces, plus it’s non-hazardous to the environment.
PROS
- Great paint
- Environment friendly
- Durable
- Safe
- Dries quickly
CONS
- Not glossy
- A little high-priced
Your Guide to Buying
Versatility
The ability of the paint to stick on different surfaces defines versatility. AR-15 rifles have parts that are made of steel, while others are of hard plastic. Some spray paint does not stick the same way.
Color Options
The best spray paint should have multiple color options, even if you are not painting your rifle with the colors of the rainbow. But at least, it should have colors usually used, both with high gloss, semi, and all other varieties.
Resistance
There are so many factors to consider, like harsh weather conditions, heat resistance, and a lot more. Finding paints that can survive all these hindrances can improve the state of your weapon.
Cure Time
There are fast-drying spray paints, while others take one hour or more, depending on the temperature and location you are painting from. We suggest buying paints that have a faster curing time.
Durability
The quality of the best paint for AR-15 determines its durability. While it is true that none of the paints last for a very long time, painting with high-quality coatings should last for a long period.
Also Read:
Multiple Usability
The best spray paint for an AR-15 should have multiple usabilities. Other spray paints are only good for one coating as they dry out easily. The best spray paints should also have heat resistance to avoid drying up once opened and exposed at a higher temperature.
Ease of Use
When customizing guns, spray paint is the best choice to ensure even application, even in hard-to-reach areas. It requires multiple coats at times, and for some who want to add designs, the best spray paint should be easy to apply.
Adherence
The best spray paint adheres to multiple surfaces and still produces a durable finish with a consistent color. Surfaces can be wood, metal, or plastic.
Price
The best paint for AR-15 should be low cost and a cheap solution. Painting it on your own may give it your personal touch, but it will also cost you less than half of what you will pay for a professional.
Our Team's Selection Process
Overall Performance
Picking the best paint requires thorough observation of quality, compatibility, and price. Most of these paints have a lot of choices, but some require other coating methods, which are sometimes complex.
Weapon Compatibility
Knowing that the parts are made of different materials, we searched for the best spray paint for AR-15 that can adhere to plastic, metal, and everything else.
Product Quality
After verifying the features and compatibility, we made sure that the product we are vouching for has consistency with their claims. We compare what other buyers say to what we observe to make sure the claims are true.
FAQs
Spray paints last for more than 20 years on an AR-15, provided that it was applied and cured properly and is not exposed to changing weather or hot environments.
Yes, you can spray paint AR-15 parts for as long as these are not the sensitive and tiny screws and bolts that may be affecting the rifle’s performance.
Our Choice For The Best AR-15 Paint Is...
Our choice for the best AR-15 paint is Rust-Oleum 7579838-6 PK Professional. It is adherent to any material since some parts are made of plastic, others metal or wood. We liked that the consistency of the colors, body, rifle barrel, or whatever surface it is applied are the same.
As our final verdict, this is the best paint for AR-15 firearms because it is long-lasting. The spray paint is very easy to apply, with nozzles that go through quality control.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Our #1 Recommendation
Rust-Oleum 7579838-6 PK Professional
- Adhere really strongly
- Consistent
- Sprayed on very easily
- Solid layer of paint
