Using the best paint for painting guns is essential to keep it looking great and lasting along time.
Peeling or cracking paint is a nightmare on any surface and especially guns as it can get into unwanted areas.
We have reviewed some of the best brands for a variety of firearm painting needs.
Quick Guide - Our Top Picks
Best Spray kit
Dura coat Aerosol Kits - Metal Collection Colors
Best Gun Sight Paint
GLOW-ON Color Super Phosphorescent
8 Best Paint For guns Reviewed
These are the top painting brands for firearms currently on the market. These products cover all aspects of guns so read below to find out the best option for you.
1. DuraCoat Ultimate (Editors Pick)
- Unique can within a can technology allows...
- Listing is for the color MATTE BLACK - in a...
- Once activated the formula remains usable for...
- Useable on all types of metal, plastic and...
My number one choice of the best paint for guns is the DuraCoat Ultimate Do It Yourself Firearms Finish. It scores highly on the main three factors that you should be looking for in your fire arms paint: flexibility, durability, and ease-of-use.
It’s versatile enough that you can use it on bare metal, wood, and plastic. The semi gloss matte black finish is professional-looking and slick. If you’re not looking for any fancy colors or camouflage paint and just want a simple black coating, this product does the job.
It’s most durable and the best paint for guns and offers unparalleled protection against rust and corrosion. It also holds up well in extreme heat, making it perfect for firearms.
The thing I love most, though, is how easy this can is to use. Thanks to the unique ‘can within a can’ technology, all you have to do is push the plunger down to release the hardener. It then sprays really evenly so, even if you have no experience using best paint sprays, you can get a professional, uniform finish.
There isn’t really anything at all to dislike about this product but, if I had to pick something, it would be the fact that it doesn’t last very long once you start using it.
The shelf life of this can once you’ve opened the hardener is around 48 hours, but it really depends on the humidity and temperature. I’d personally recommend discarding it after 24 hours as it might start to harden after that.
Still, this should be plenty of time to get the job done. You can spray 2-3 thin coats or thin layers (light coats), leaving 2 hours in between each coating should be evenly coated for it to cure (it dries fast), and you’ll have time to spare.
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2. Duracoat Aerosol Kit - Metal Collection Colors
- Unique can within a can technology provides...
- Can be applied to all types of metal, plastic...
- Contains One Duracoat Aerosol 12oz Can, One...
This Kit firearms paint gets top marks for durability. The coating (which provides UV, rust, and corrosion protection) holds up well both in the short and long term.
I found that just a few hours after using it on a handguard, it was already tough enough that it didn’t flake or break off when scrubbed with a wire brush. A few months down the line (and after a ton of use), the paint job is as good as new.
It’s available in 12 colors but I’d personally recommend the aged bronze for a classic, timeless look. It’s also versatile and can be used on plastic, wood, and different types of metal.
As this is a full aerosol kits, you don’t just get the paint can - you get a 6oz degreaser and a scrubbing pad too. These are welcome additions that will help you to prepare your entire gun for the coating and keep it in top condition after you’re finished.
Another thing I like about this product is that the paint has a long shelf life. Officially, it should last up to 4 weeks but to be frank, this might be a little optimistic. At the very least, it should still last a week or so, which is plenty of time to use it.
It’s worth mentioning that if you plan on using the Gold, Stainless Steel, or Titanium colors, you’ll need to apply a clear top coat first otherwise it won’t look right when it’s cured, and it works better if you apply several thin coats while leaving time to dry in between.
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3. LCW DC44 DuraCoat
- DuraCoat Matte Black in a 4oz bottle (with...
The LCW DC44 DuraCoat 4oz Matte Black is a professional-looking finish that will guard your guns against rust even in the most humid and damp climates.
Unlike some of the other coats on this list, this new coat doesn’t come in a spray can - it’s just a regular bottle. You’ll need to use it with your own airbrush as a paintbrush won’t work.
It comes with a separate hardener that can be mixed in, giving you more control over the end result. The more you apply, the more sheen the coating will have. You’re in control of the mixture, which gives you the artistic flexibility to opt for more matte or more gloss.
If you’re looking for a standard black finish, I’d recommend a ratio of 12:1. Feel free to adjust that to your preference but, based on personal experience, you probably shouldn’t go lower than 10:1 or higher than 14:1 as it might reduce the durability.
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4. Wheeler Cerama Coating
- SPECS: 4 oz can of ceramic infused formula...
- COMPATABILITY: Designed for use with ferrous...
- DURABLE: Highly resistant to scratching,...
- FUNCTION: Highly resistant non-reflective...
If you’re looking for an alternative to Duracoat that provides a beautiful, weather-proof finish, this is it. This Coat Spray-On Ceramic Coating can be used on metals, alloys, stainless steels, and more.
It can also adhere to plastic but needs to be baked in order to properly cure and adhere to the gun, which isn’t always possible depending on the type of plastic.
Metals should be baked at 300 degrees for around 30 minutes. That can be reduced to 200 degrees for 2 hours for plastics, but make sure to check with the manufacturer that it won’t deform under these temperatures.
The only bad thing I have to say about this coating is that it scratches off easier than some other coatings on this list. On the other hand, while it might not be as strong as Duracoat, it sure looks incredible.
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5. Dupli-Color EDE161307
- AUTOMOTIVE SPRAY PAINT – Dupli-Color Engine...
- PROFESSIONAL PAINT – This Gloss Black spray...
- EASY TO USE – Featuring a EZ Touch Conical...
- IDEAL USES – Excellent for under-the-hood...
For those who are about to re-paint their firearms, the Dupli-Color High Heat 1200 is another high-quality paint to use. This is actually an engine paint used in painting car engines.
This can only mean one thing – it can withstand intense heat or extreme heat and other harsh conditions. It works best on repainting a rifle’s barrel and receivers. The black matte paint will not only look good on your gun, but it also gives it some toughness and durability as well. It cures to a very tough state that can easily resist grease, corrosion, salinity, moisture, chemicals, and oil.
Applying the Dupli-Color Intense Heat 1200 will make your gun look like it just came out of the manufacturing plant. It is also relatively cheaper than other brands that go well with guns while creating that sophisticated matte black color finish.
It’s a versatile coating that will look good on pretty much anything. I used it on top of a dark color and it still looked great as the finish is super opaque. It’s marketed as a high gloss finish but personally, I’d describe it as more of a satin finish.
The EZ touch spray nozzle makes it super-easy to apply. The only thing you need to do is to apply two coats of the paint with about a 10-minute interval to let the first coat dry and then apply second coat. Then after the second coat, the drying time goes up to 20 minutes. Baking the re-painted gun will take about one hour and thirty minutes.
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6. Krylon 51601 Interior and Exterior Decorator Paint
- For use on plastic, metal, wood and more
- Perfect for indoor and outdoor projects
- Dries in 10 minutes or less
- Durable Covermax technology for premium...
If you want that professional type of re-paint job on your gun, then you have to choose the Krylon-Black spray, as it is the best color paint for guns.
This type and brand of paint will surely give your gun that professional look. It can be applied to any type of metal. It can even be applied to plastics, wood, glass, PVC, vinyl, and wicker and it gives a matte black ultra flat paint job on your gun.
I’ve used this paint on an old firearm and then used what was left on a plastic chair, and both looked great! If you’re using it on metal, I’d recommend baking it to help the coating to properly adhere and make it most durable paint. It’s also important to do proper surface preparation and multiple thin coats for a smooth finish.
The Krylon-Black is just one of Krylon’s series of other spray paints called camouflage. Upon applying this paint with camouflage spray, you can now proceed to paint your rifle or pistol in different camouflage designs.
All you need to do is to hold the sprayer about 8 to 12 inches away from the gun and simply best spray paint it in a sweeping side-to-side motion. The spray paint dries up within fifteen minutes and is safe to handle after an hour.
With over 50 color varieties available, spray paint provides endless options when black is not your style.
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7. Rust-Oleum 269038 Camouflage Spray Paint
- Oil-based formula
- Durable finish for wood, metal, plastic and...
- Great for concealing vehicles, tree stands,...
- Fast Drying
This paint is a great overall set. You receive six cans that include: 2 Forest Green, 2 Earth Browns, 1 Army Green, and 1 Khaki.
This set shows to be very durable and can be used on wood, metal, and plastic. This is an oil based paint, providing non reflective finish, and ultra-flat finish. Makes for great camouflaged paint.
It dries quickly and can adhere to almost anything. I’ve personally used it on a small boat and it looked great. As it’s a standard spray paint, it’s not as heat resistant as some of the other specially-designed coatings on this list and won’t hold up well in utmost heats, so bear that in mind.
Rustoleum is a known brand and has stood up over time. They create world-class gun paints for many purposes and this range of spray cans works well with handguns, rifles and more.
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8. Dura coat Aerosol Kits
This paint is a higher price point as it comes with a unique design that is specifically designed for firearms. The hardener has been set up inside of the can which means it is ready to go and easy to use. No more mixing and measuring, just release, shake and apply.
This paint can also be applied to wood finishes, metals, or even plastic. It comes in a wide range of colors and finishes and is extremely durable. The longer it cures, the harder it gets - but it still retains elasticity. This coating is suitable for a wide range of firearm materials.
A great product and one I regularly use. Make sure you use it as soon as possible once you’ve opened the can as it will dry out quickly, especially in hot and dry climates.
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Top Brands Of Firearm Paint
Some of the best firearm paint brands are common or house-hold names. While every person will have their own preference, if you haven’t picked your favorite yet, you can choose from the following list:
What Makes A Good Gun Paint?
Good gun paint is something that will be debated as long as we own guns. However, there are a few factors that go into gun paint that make a difference between good and just “okay” gun paint.
Heat Resistance (moisture, oil, salinity, corrosion, grease)
Gun paint needs to be resistant to the elements, handling, and firing. The gun paint will include protection or heat resistance to things like humidity and moisture, oil and grease, and corrosion. Don’t forget that your hands will leave oils behind, too.
Mixture Quality
The higher-quality spray paints will have a better mixture quality. The pigments need to be smaller to help the color last. The non reflective finish is also important since you don’t want your paint to chip, flake or peel. Better mixtures will produce better, longer-lasting finishes.
Cure Time
If patience isn’t a virtue, you will want to find a gun paint that has a faster cure time. Because you will need to do a few coats, including the site lines and clear coats, you will want to have a gun paint that dries as quickly as possible. The general rule, though, for a professional finish, is to wait at least 48 hours between coats.
Can Quality
When spraying from a can, you will want to use a brand that doesn’t have skimpy cans. Shelf-life of spray paint can be long, but if the can is corrosive, rusts, or allows moisture in, the next time you go to simply spray paint, it may affect the paint.
Tips and Tricks For Painting Your Firearm
First, you want to disassemble your gun paint. Second you want to prep the gun paint for painting. You want to remove all oils, rust, paint, or varnish from your gun. You can do this by using sandpaper, to remove any varnish.
Using the steel wool take off any rust the best you can. This will save you time and money down the road. You don’t want the rust to eat through your gun.
The next step is to tape of your gun with masking tape, tape anywhere you don’t want to be painted. Once you have that done, you take the acetone to remove any oil based formula blends. You will also want to have on hand paper towels to wipe down your gun.
You want to hang your gun up or suspend it. Now you are ready to paint. Make sure to use even motions, as you paint. You want to wait 15-30 minutes between multiple coats, to ensure the last coat of paint is dry.
If you are using multiple colors, the second and third paintings are these. When all your pieces are dry, you can put the gun back together again. It is recommended to wait a few hours or overnight.
Learn More - Guide To Painting Firearms
Safety Precautions When Painting A Firearm
As with any painting project, you will want to protect yourself. With the detail level that gun painting can incur, you will want to wear full protective gear.
This will include goggles, gloves, a respirator, coveralls, and even booties if you are painting indoors.
You will also need to take precautions with your firearm. Ensure it isn’t loaded, that there isn’t a round in the chamber and that the entire piece has been correctly disassembled.
You don’t want to set the ammunition to the side, either. Static electricity build-up is possible and is a fire hazard, as well as a potential ammo ignition source.
How To Successfully paint A Gun Sight
Gun sight paint enables you to have an easier flash sighting. Whether you are in low light or no light situation, it’s practical and easy to paint a gun.
Many people use it for hunting during dusk or dawn plus for law enforcement. In fact, studies show that the majority of crimes where people need to defend themselves happen in low light situations.
You can choose a variety of colors for your gun sight paint; there is even some glow in the dark options on the market. Here are the steps to take when you are ready.
- 1Start with a well-ventilated, well-lit and clean workplace.
- 2Dip a cotton swab in alcohol and clean your sights.
- 3Allow it to dry.
- 4Secure your slide assembly with a clamp or padded gun vice until the sights are level.
- 5Dip your toothpick into the paint slightly.
- 6Remove excess paint by rolling the toothpick against the jar.
- 7Dot some paint in the center of your sight cup.
- 8Allow this to dry for a few minutes and reapply if needed.
- 9Do the same steps for all the sights you want to paint.
- 10The paint should cure for a minimum of four hours, but overnight is preferred.
Firearm Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your firearm is a crucial aspect of gun ownership. Proper care, maintenance, and security are essential to any gun owner. The following guides will help make sure your firearm is safe and well maintained.
Common Gun Painting Questions
How long does gun paint take to dry?
Gun paints usually take around 48 hours to fully cure, and an additional 48 hours for the another clear coat to dry.
How long does spray paint last on a firearm?
Spray paint on a firearm's longevity depends on usage. The spray paint can last for decades if it's not used, but if you handle and shoot it frequently, it may only last a couple of years.
How much should I spend for gun paint?
The cost of gun paint depends on the number of colors used, pattern complexity and paint quality. Generally, each color for an air rifle will cost between $10 and $40.
Conclusion
The bottom line here is that you can choose the right brand and type of paint that will suit your needs and wants on the looks of your gun paint or rifle.
The types and brands of paint that can be used on guns might have some slight differences in their characteristics that may vary the end result you have visualized. Some of them dry faster than others. Some are easier to clean off with the solvent.
A little research will certainly go a long way. So go give your gun a refreshing coat of paint with these gun paints.