Painting an M4
 

I'm looking to paint my M4 RIS. I figure I'll use Krylon paint, as it seems to be the best, but I was wondering if there is any secondary clear coat that I could put on the gun to prevent scratches and paint chips? Really I am looking for something matte, as I know there are things I could put on it that would prevent damage, but would add a glossy shine to it. Anyone know anything, or have any ideas?

i look to paint my gun too the best tut i have found is this one
http://www.gunnersgear.com/graces_camo/armory_cammo.htm
he seem to say that Brownells flat, matte, epoxy clear coat is the best way to go.

here some other painting guides at Arnies Airsoft

was about to ask the same question

Adding a clear coat (depending on what you choose of course) won't prevent chips and scratches (hey, they look cool and actually add to the camo paintjob) but will provide some protection from rain and moisture, as well as bring out the colours more. I've used semi-gloss after painting my sniper rifles, and it really improved the paintjob. Once you get the clear coat on, use fine steel wool to rough up the shine.

And, one thing that was mentioned a few times before (I recall Poncho bringing this tip to my attention), use a base coat of tan no matter what paint you plan to use. It covers the black gun, providing a lighter background to the paint you apply, allowing the true colours of your paint to show, as opposed to not using a light background and having a darker paintjob in the end.

Sorry for declaring my complete ignorance once again, but isn't a really flat paint a better idea than gloss? I thought shiny stuff was to be avoided like the plague.

Use Flat spray paint...simple.

That's why you use the steel wool to rough up the finish. And there's a difference in the shine between "shine you avoid like the plague", such as chrome pistols, and "shine that looks like it's wet". Up to you but I like the protection and enhanced colours a semi gloss gives. Flat isn't that bad at all, but in the end it's up to the user.

I want to paint my TM M4 body flat black.

How can I preserve the trademarks and other markings?

Try rubbing white crayon in all the markings, paint over top then use a needle to pick the crayon out of the trades. Should be ok, but difficult.

I have used generic acrylic paint (5$ a big can) on a custom silencer project.

A tip I found it to paint the under coat in some metalic color (I used silver, maybe gunmetal or metalic black should be better) The paint contains metalic chips so you can then use almost any finish type, it will end in flat. Good to make some semi flat weird finish. Plus it helps a lot to make the colors look like what they should be (the metalic flakes reflect the light so the coat above get's brighter)

Top coated with some Krylon flat clear coat (2 coats) and brushed with a steel wool.

What about if theres a previous paint job on a VSR stock. The stock is kind of like a wood, what would be the best way to remove the paint?