Painting Smith & Wesson M3000 Clearsoft Shotgun?

[Zanting]

Hey guys, I'm new here. Need some quick advice on painting a transparent airsoft model, the S&W M3000 (Pistol Grip):

http://i40.tinypic.com/2eksr55.jpg

I was wondering if masking the pistol grip, and front grip/pump is necessary or if the entire model should be painted instead. Any tips would be appreciated.

[BGrail25]

When I did my gun, I took apart everything, and painted the parts individually. Luckily it was a crappy gun so all the parts were pretty much one piece. I'd say take apart anything that's in the way where you want to paint something, and put it together when you are done. If you don't want to do that, I'd say just tape the grip and take off the pump, because it covers the barrel. However, do not paint anything that needs to slide freely, as there is a good chance the paint will slow it down and jam it eventually. But from the looks of the gun you should be fine. Also, if you haven't gotten any paint yet, I strongly recommend going to TSC or somewhere (Not sure if Canadian Tire sells it) and get the Krylon Camo Flat Black, it looks amazing and dries in no time.

[Matty1020]

I've messed around with one of these before, and i'm pretty sure that if you twist that cap on the end of the pump (towards the end of the barrel), the pump SHOULD come off. I'm not exactly sure if that's what part comes off, I can't remember.

[Grudge]

I've painted about 10 of them. I always take off the pump and mask the handle.

[Zanting]

Alright, I painted it today because it was sunny and I had a day off from work, the first part I painted was inside the magazine port, however this caused a slight but rather minimal problem with the loader (..there is some paper towel stuck in the tube...). This was my first attempt, it turned out "okay" but not the greatest.

As well I found out that Satin Black is not Flat Black, damn you Wal-Mart for bad advice. Only other problem is paint didn't get under the barrel, so my next 2nd coat after sanding some of the excess off will be with the pump removed.

Pics later. xD

[SilentHawk]

Ive always painted my clearsofts. I used Krylon fusion spray paint from walmart. Sticks really good, and is hard to scratch off.

I usually take off all the black pieces, then just mask off the orange tip, and anywhere paint can fuck up the gun.

Turns out really nice afterwards.

[Sim123456]

There are plenty of Krylon Camo flat black paint in the Canadian Tire. It does dry very quiclky, couple of minute, and the color is superb. But the finish is sometimes rough to the touch, hard to clean with towel after.

[cntower]

don't paint them if you just want it flat black, dye them. Go to auto performance shops or tuner shops and look for VHT vinyl dye (hard to find these days) or Duplicolor vinyl dye in flat black (usually easy to find although no one ever seems to have flat black in stock for very long these days) don't bother dissasembling it just acetone it down lightly and spray several light coats. It willl penetrate and dye the plastic to an opaque flat black finish that won't come off or feel any diferent than the original plastic. Been doing this to my guns or after mods to the plastic for years and it lasts forever. Krylon is good if you have to paint but it will never be as durable or natural as a vinyl dye.

[The Chad]

Crappy Tire has VHT Vinyl Dye, seen it when I was getting paint.

[MoreToasties]

Originally Posted by SilentHawk

Ive always painted my clearsofts. I used Krylon fusion spray paint from walmart. Sticks really good, and is hard to scratch off.

I usually take off all the black pieces, then just mask off the orange tip, and anywhere paint can fuck up the gun.

Turns out really nice afterwards.

Que?

[cntower]

Originally Posted by LoveMyStubby

Crappy Tire has VHT Vinyl Dye, seen it when I was getting paint.

ya they do its usually only the gloss black at crappy tire though but that still looks good if your going for a more shiny black finish. I usually use that stuff to do the first couple of dye coats and then just a quick coat with the flat black dye to make it matte. That way if the flat black dye is scarce it goes further. (oh just fyi never try and dye over a paint job, lol did that by accident when i was doing my car and it bubbles up all your work . You can paint over the dye though no problems. I'm assuming thats pretty obvious but thought i should mention it)