The Prepper Insider is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
You are missing out on a fast, low-cost, fun-filled, and effective way to coat your AR-15 rifle if you are yet to consider spray painting. But you are not far off. The fact that you are already here reading this means you have made the first step in this fun-packed journey.
By the time you're done reading this article, you’ll have learned how to spray paint your rifle with the best spray paints for AR-15, and the benefits you will enjoy when you do.
Once you have selected your favorite paint from our top picks and ordered it in, feel free to refer to this article again to revisit the painting process. Be sure to bookmark this!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Spray Paints For AR-15
- OUR TOP PICK: Wheeler Cerama Coat-Spray On Ceramic Coating
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Rust-Oleum 271479 Ham CHT Univ Spray Paint,
- BEST AR-15 SPRAY PAINT CAMO: Krylon K05547007 COLORmaxx Spray Paint
Comparison of the Best Spray Paint For AR-15
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Perks of Spray Painting Your AR-15
You don't just spray paint a rifle for the sake of it. These are some of the benefits you stand to enjoy when you spray paint your rifle:
Camouflage
Effective camouflage is an art and science that calls for creatively manipulating personal and rifle aspects like silhouette, smell, sound, shadows, movement, shape, and color to remain concealed as long as possible. This is especially important if you are a hunter or are on a tactical battlefront. Spraying your rifle gives it a camouflage appeal based on the colors and accenting patterns you use.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Spray painting your rifle enhances its beauty with the combination of colors and patterns. If camouflage isn't your primary goal, then you can paint your gun to an appealing aesthetic look. There are no rules to that, and you would only be limited or immensely inspired by your creativity. You can give your rifle that lovely snake or leaf pattern finish to do away with the old boring look it came in.
Prolonged Life
If you are living in harsh environmental conditions where humidity is high, spray painting your rifle will improve its resistance to rusting and corrosion. A good spray paint offers optimal resistance to moisture and other atmospheric conditions that may cause wear and tear to your rifle.
What to Look For When Buying AR-15 Spray Paint
Resistance
A good spray paint should be resistant to weathering such as rusting and corrosion that would easily be caused by moisture. It should also be resistant to cleaning materials such as solvent cleaners. You have to regularly clean your rifle to optimize its longevity and as such, the spray paint should not be worn off by these cleaning procedures.
Cure Time
The time it takes for the paint to dry in readiness for the application of new coats is a major factor to consider when buying one. You will want to use one that dries within minutes of application. Some paints take as much as several days to dry up, yet you have to apply new coats to wrap up the process. That's too much for a time of no rifle, no shooting!
Paint Quality
Choose a spray paint that bonds well with the different materials used to make the parts of your gun. Go for one that bonds well with metal as this is the most prominent material on the rifle.
Reviews of the Best Spray Paint For AR-15
Let's take a look at this year's top picks.
Best Overall:
Wheeler Cerama Coat-Spray Can On Ceramic Coating
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report ease of application as the bottle has a nozzle that does not clog during use. Most say it is possible to spray paint 2-3 rifles and up to 5 handguns using one bottle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This spray paint stands out given its compatibility with anodized aluminum, plastic, and stainless steel. This means it bonds with most of the surfaces on your AR-15 for a strong, durable finish. Its gentleness on moving parts makes it a safe bet without the possibility of limiting their flexibility.
Bottom Line
For a smooth flat dark earth finish on your gun, this Wheeler ceramic coating spray paint is for you. If you bake the proper way as per the given instructions, you will end up with a durable rifle since heat-cured spray painted guns are known to last a long time with the paint on.
Best for the Money:
Rust-Oleum 271479 Ham CHT Univ Spray Paint
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As per recent customers, this spray paint brings their old items back to life when correctly applied. They love the textured feel as it gives a firm grip on painted items and also hides any existing flaws like scratches.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The finger trigger system is a unique innovation that reduces the fatigue that results from continuous use. Being an oil-based paint, it stands out with the enhanced protection and resistance to rust, chemicals, and scratching. Add to these two the hammered texture for a tight grip.
Bottom Line
With a wide range of colors to choose from, this spray paint offers you a world of personalized customizations. You are assured of a long-lasting finish on your gun with extra protection against scratches and rust. You can apply more of it on key parts of the rifle like the buttstock to have the hammered finish provide you a better grip against your body.
Best AR-15 Spray Paint Camo:
Krylon K05547007 COVERmaxx Spray Paint
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers recommend spraying paint for ease of use, a wide range of colors, and compatibility with multiple surfaces. Most customers say the coat is smooth, even if the paint drips easily during application. They also recommend the paint as it dries fast and allows for repeat coats within minutes.
Why it Stands Out to Us
For gun users, the gold and rose gold color options are a good fit for the desired camouflage touch. The unique big push button guarantees easy use and gentleness on fingers. At 12 ounces fluid volume, the spray paint offers gun users a chance to paint tens of guns or leave it over for future use.
Bottom Line
Gun users bent on concealing their rifles stand the chance especially with the low-gloss gold and rose gold colors that can be mated with other colors for a fine military style finish. This will be possible to do within a short time as the paint dries out fast and makes it possible to apply other accenting colors.
Editor's Pick:
POR-15 46718 Top Coat Red Oxide Spray Paint 16 fl. oz.
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love this spray paint because of the high fluid volume as they apply it across more surfaces. Most customers praise it as easy to use and apply, although they are dissatisfied with the long time it takes to dry and get ready for new coats.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The robust, thick coat barrier keeps painted surfaces far from moisture and chemical elements because it is difficult to breakthrough. Resistance to ultraviolet light is also a unique feature that ensures the fine finish on the rifle stays intact without fading away.
Bottom Line
Gun users who spend a lot of time in the open can now heave a sigh of relief. This Top Coat red oxide spray paint guarantees them a fade-free rifle given that the paint is resistant to ultraviolet rays. The robust coat build will be a plus for enhanced resistance to moisture and gun corrosion.
5. Modern Desert Sand 3oz. Spray Can by Testors Corp
No products found.
Pros
Cons
According to recent buyers, this is a good spray paint as it dries up quickly and is easy to apply without the need to use an airbrush. They also love the resultant military style finish. They recommend spraying at least 12 inches away from the rifle to avoid drippings that would ruin your otherwise good paint work.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This spray paint is unique given its modern military grade style color and smooth finish. It also has an upper hand since it does not contain hazardous lead or chlorofluorocarbons that are dangerous to human, animal, and plant life.
Bottom Line
This spray paint is for you if you are a military style enthusiast. It will give your gun that signature military finish with guaranteed durability even with regular heavy-fire usage. Use in a well-ventilated area to avoid damage to your respiratory tract.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Health Concerns
Ensure the paint you choose is safe for your health. Avoid any paints that have chlorofluorocarbon components as these are highly dangerous. To prevent health setbacks when using spray paints, ensure you use protective gear such as gas masks and gloves.
Can Quality
Some cans come with ineffective nozzles that clog up easily. To avoid this hurdle, check the type of nozzle each brand uses. You can overcome the blocked nozzle problem by manually unclogging it, or having some spare nozzles at hand.
Safety Issues
Before you order any spray paint, it‘s important to check if it can be used indoors safely. Paints are smelly stuff. You will want one that has a moderate odor and can clear out of a well-ventilated room quickly. For overall safety, avoid using the spray paint near open flames since paints are highly flammable and may catch fire easily. You also risk having the can explode as exposure to heat causes its contents to expand beyond the can's holding capacity.
How to Paint an AR-15
- To paint your AR-15, first, have all the items you will need within close reach. These include two to three different color spray paints, a string, masking tape, and a mesh bag.
- Hang the rifle from a high point using the string such that it dangles freely and is easy to turn.
- Use the tape to mask sensitive areas like the muzzle, ejection port, scope lenses, charging handle, and the open area on the bottom of the upper receiver. If you have both the upper and lower fit together, tape the magazine well and trigger area on the lower as well. You may want to also mask the barrel around the handguard area.
- Apply the base spray paint by painting macro or micro textures. The macro textures are large, spaced-out slashes that go across the rifle in different alternating colors, say khaki, brown, and green. You may want to stick to only two.
- Leave it to dry for a while.
- Bring the rifle down and lay it on a flat surface. Place the mesh bag on it and spray through it. Keep shifting the bag to different parts of the rifle, each time spraying the different paint over a fresh part of the mesh to avoid mixing up the colors. Do the spraying from about 12 inches away to avoid overspray and globing up.
- Turn the gun to repeat the mesh procedure on the second face.
- Check if any areas need touching up. Add some more matching colors where there are deficits.
To get a full overview of the process, be sure to refer to the video below.
Conclusion
Spray painting your AR-15 doesn't have to be an uphill task. It will be a fun-filled discovery adventure if you consider any of the spray paints we have reviewed, follow the selection criteria covered, and use the do-it-yourself spraying procedure we have outlined. In this way, you are on the way to enjoying the benefits of spraying painting your rifle as we have discussed in this article.
People Also Ask
Here are some questions gun users frequently have about spray painting. We hope this section answers any questions you may have. If you still have some more, feel free to hit us up.
Can You Spray Paint a Gun?
You can spray paint a gun to your liking to give it a new finish, enhance heat resistance, or add more protection against water and chemicals. It’s safe for your gun as long as you tape the sensitive parts outlined above to prevent paint from getting into them.
What Material is Best For Spray Paint?
Aluminum gun surfaces are the best to spray paint. However, you can do the cerakote option which refers to a polymer-ceramic coating. This spraying works on polymers, metals, plastics, and wood without any damage for enhanced resistance to wear, chemicals, and corrosion.
What Kind of Paint Can I Use on My AR-15?
The kind of paint to use on your AR-15 depends on your personal preference. Also, an AR-15 with plenty of metal surfaces requires a paint that bonds well with metal with no risk of premature chipping, flaking, or fading out. You can choose any of the spray paints we have reviewed above to color your rifle anew.
How Long Should I Heat a Lower AR Before I Paint It?
Heating is mostly done at 300°F for one hour to heat-cure a rifle after spray painting. However, you may have to heat your AR lower for 2-3 minutes at low heat before painting to dry out the cleaner you used to degrease the rifle.
POR-15 46718 Top Coat Red Oxide Spray Paint 16 fl. oz.
How Many Ounces to Paint an AR?
You won't use a lot of every kind of paint on your AR since you will be alternating them. One can of each kind of paint will most likely be enough depending on how much surface you apply it on. Normally, the typical 3-12 ounces of fluid volume that is in most cans will be enough for each paint type.
How to Remove Spray Paint From an AR-15
You can use a citrus-based paint stripper to remove spray paint from an AR-15. Wear chemical gloves for protection. Spray the paint stripper on and let it stay for about ten minutes. Use a toothbrush to scrub all the surfaces until clean. Dust the surfaces and wipe fully with a water-damp towel.