8 Best Spray Paint for AR15 [Reviews and Buying Guide 2022]

If you own an AR15, the best idea to look it brand-new forever is to repaint it with the best spray paint.

Since spray paint offers a protective coating over the firearms and prevents rust, painting them is not a poor plan. But the best spray paint for AR15 is a bit tough to find as not all the formulations are worth using.

To ensure a high-quality coating, you need to choose spray paint that has the significant adhering capability. It should also be resistant enough to heat and moisture. Moreover, the best spray paint should have some other features including fast-drying ability, color flexibility, and all.

You see some real hard work to get the best spray paint for your AR15 there, right? Well, luck on you; we have selected some top-notch quality spray paints for rifles, for your convenience.

You can also read: Our Top Handheld Paint Sprayer Reviews

In a hurry, pick your AR15 spray paint from the chart below.

8 Best Spray Paint for AR15 Reviews

We have assembled our picks for the best spray paint for AR-15 so that your decision-making becomes easier. Hopefully, these spray paints will bring the desired finish you want for your firearm without being heavy on your purse.

1. Krylon K04291000 Camouflage Paint, Khaki

For painting on firearms, Krylon has always been a reliable name. Hence, our very first and top pick is this K04291000 camouflage paint from Krylon.

With the most adhering capability, this is the best spray paint for AR 15. It sticks evenly to almost all materials and surfaces including metal, plastic, wood, plaster, hard vinyl, paper, ceramic, and what not!

Moreover, its formula offers fast-drying properties. Thus, after applying your entire gun dries to the touch within only 15 minutes. It delivers an ultra-flat exterior finish. Also, it is manufactured following the Fusion Technology that makes it non-reflective and ensures the ultimate camouflage.

Krylon also offers versatile color options for each of its spray paint products. This one is also not an exception. So, you have options to choose from. Again, to talk about its features, this product is highly resistant to moisture. So, the coating on firearm’s parts looks great even after being in humid conditions.

Even this Camouflage Paint also offers the best value for the price. Buying it would be the best yet most economic purchase you can think of. Overall, with multiple-coating allowance and excellent features, this Krylon K04291000 is great for hunters.

What We Like:

• Exceptional adherence properties.
• Includes fast-drying components.
• Priming and sanding are not needed.
• Comes at a considerable price.

What We Don’t Like:

• A bit toxic and sometimes gets sticky.

2. Brownells Aluma-Hyde II Epoxy Based Firearms Finish

After the Krylon paint, our second-best choice is the Brownells Aluma-Hyde II Firearms Finish. This epoxy-based finish is competitively one of the best spray paints for painting ar-15 rifle. For protecting the gun from all the chemicals of the paint, this product is highly hyped and in constant demand.

Moreover, the spray comes with color flexibility. It offers a variety of colors so that you can make a coat of your desired color on your AR 15. However, the product delivers a semi-gloss finish to the materials it is used. It also comes with proper instructions so that you can enjoy the exceptional durability of the coating.

Be it a rifle or a gun, its resistance to solvent, cleaning chemicals, and bore cleaners, make it work anyway. Also, the epoxy-based formula comes with extra pigmentation and high density. It is also hard-curing. So, it sticks and covers almost every steel, alloy, and plastic.

Within one minute, it dries to the touch on the gun and fully cures within one week of application. Nonetheless, you can reduce the curing time by using some tricks like running warm air. Without requiring any primer coat, this spray paint will provide a tough and rustproof finish for your firearms.

What We Like:

• Delivers long-lasting finish.
• The finish has a semi-gloss appearance.
• Versatile and works on any surface.
• Strong and comes in color flexibility.

What We Don’t Like:

• The nozzle may clog.

3. Hunters Specialties Spray Paint

This is another best Camo spray paint from Hunters Specialists. With a superior design, this one comes with olive drab color.

All your sporting and hunting equipment is protected once you apply this spray paint. Also, it has many other uses. Besides painting your AR15, this product is suitable for concealing anything including boats, vehicles, blinds, decoys, and all.

It also delivers a non-reflective finish. This is a permanent Camo Spray Paint and for aiding game hunting, it is the best. It, however, comes with an easily applicable formula. Carrying this can is also easy. It covers the gun’s parts nicely with easy spraying.

Moreover, it will create an even coat over your equipment. The users of this spray paint are more thrilled about the OD color it is offering. Even for military items, this Hunters Specialties is a perfect choice. It comes with the right shade of green most people require.

The users have also a downside of this product that is it has a long curing time. Otherwise, when it is cured fully, you get a great good-looking finish of your product. It will make your AR15 new like before as well.

What We Like:

• Has a desired olive drab color.
• Best for hunting and sports equipment.
• Superior in design and performance.
• Easy to apply and inexpensive.

What We Don’t Like:

• Coat cures late.
• The finish is gummy sometimes.

4. Krylon I00601 Marbelizing Spray Decorative Finishes, Black Lava

We have listed another product from Krylon on our list of the best spray paint for AR15. This I00601Marbelizing spray comes with a permanent texture.

Even on fabric, it will leave a permanent texture. It is the best for recreating an excellent look of marble. However, for your AR 15 paint jobs, this marbelizing spray is also great.

Tying everything together, the spray offers a satisfying finished look. For Camo paint jobs and rifle paints, this paint spray can be selected without giving a second thought. It creates an even coat on the material surface making an amazing web pattern.

The users of the product love how it delivers a faux marble look on the gun. Its versatile uses have made it more popular among them. To have a complete customized design on your firearms, this spray is the easiest product to use.

Overall, from users’ experience, this top-quality spray paint is one of the best. It not only allows easy application but also it dries fast and its curing period is also short. The black lava color with acid-free components will surely own your heart.

What We Like:

• Provides permanent textured finish.
• Can be used for versatile purposes.
• Easy, simple, and fast to use.
• Long-lasting and offers great value.

What We Don’t Like:

• Provides more like a web pattern than a marble look.

5. Rust-Oleum 312817 Stops Rust Spray Paint

Rust-Oleum is also a reputed brand for manufacturing the best spray paint for guns. Gun owners out there find Rust-Oleum products as their true friends. Nonetheless, we have picked the Rust-Oleum 312817 spray paint for its amazing resistance and functionality. Its rust preventing capability is appreciated worldwide.

The spray is also resistant to dulling, chipping, abrasion, and fading. Any surface including concrete, metal, wood, and masonry are absolutely protected from corrosion and weather when it is applied.

Moreover, the spray contains an oil-based formula. To talk about its feature, the spray paint comes with a comfortable upside-down tip. So, spraying for a longer time won’t cause any fatigue.

Thus, the product is not only suitable for gun’s interior uses but also great for exterior uses. It is durable and highly protective. Also, after applying this gun spray paint, it takes only 2 to 4 hours to dry to touch. You can cover around 15 square feet using this spray paint.

In total, providing an extraordinary glossy finish, the product will make your firearm shine differently. Also, its any-angle design feature ensures reaching any hard-to-reach corners.

What We Like:

• Highly protective to rust.
• Includes any-angle technology.
• The tip is equipped with a wide finger pad.
• Withstands any elements and weather.

What We Don’t Like:

• Requires recoating frequently.

6. Dip Bite Flat White 16 Oz Aerosol Spray Can

To get the best ready-to-spray paint for your ar15, get this one Dip Bite Aerosol Spray Can. The can comes with flat white color and its formula is specially done for the hydrographic process. Hence, the formula is unique and it ensures the best paint for AR 15.

You won’t need to add any primers or other adhesion promoters, to apply this spray paint. It is easy to apply and the procedure includes degreasing, scuffing, applying, and dipping. Also, it has superior activator resistance properties. Thus, no doubt arises about the quality.

To talk more about its formula, this aerosol spray can will not let the inside formula dry even in cold weather. With exceptional coverage, it will set onto anything. The chemicals create a bond with film and clear coat. Moreover, the flat white adds more to the finish on gun.

You can directly apply it on fiberglass, plastic, metal, wood, bone, and even on parts that are previously painted. It will also not rust metal. However, this is a solvent-based spray can. But its ready-to-spray feature and fast-drying formula make the product considerable enough.

What We Like:

• Ready-to-spray out of the box.
• Doesn’t require any primer.
• Great for the hydrographic process.
• Easy to apply and dries fast.

What We Don’t Like:

• Creates a thin layer of paint.

7. Rothco Spray Paint, Olive Drab

This is another Olive Drab spray paint from Rothco that is also found as the best spray paint for rifles.

Rothco is a well-known brand for providing high-quality sports and outdoor gear. They make products for even rough and tough situations. This spray paint is also not an exception. It is the real tough product you might be looking for your firearms.

The formula of the spray paint is quality tested. Hence, it is a performance-driven product that should be in your collection as well. This camouflage spray also comes in several camouflage colors.

The paint works great on gun and covers fine. Spraying the can goes easy and the formula dries quickly as well. The can is designed with comfortable features.

Its performance and result come hand in hand within no time. Though some users felt deceptive about the product, since it is advertised as it would come in three cans but it comes with only one can.

Nonetheless, for its performance, its users loved the product as well. Overall, with maximum durability and toughest properties, you can give a try to this Rothco AR15 spray paint.

What We Like:

• Quality tested product.
• Fast-drying and easy application.
• Performance-driven product.
• Suitable for the toughest users.

What We Don’t Like:

• Gets tacky on high temperature.

8. Rust-Oleum Specialty Ultra Flat Sand Camouflage Spray Paint

Our very but not a bit least pick is this spray paint from Rust-Oleum. This camouflage spray paint is also one of the best for serious hunters out there. The paint comes in different colors. So, you can choose any of them and portray any pattern on your weapon.

Moreover, the Rust-Oleum camouflage spray paint works great on surfaces including metal, wood, all. However, they are not that effective when applied to plastic. They do not adhere to plastic well. Otherwise, the spray paint is a great adhesive for other materials.

Unlike other spray paint, this camouflage is not that glossy when dries. It delivers a non-reflective and ultra-flat finish. It also dries within half an hour. Its formula is oil-based and comes with good consistency. Hence, it offers good spraying capability.

The most amazing fact about this product is that its six packs come at a very reasonable price. The pack includes khaki, army green, forest green, and earth brown colors. Overall, to have a fresh new look of your AR-15, choosing this spray paint is always a good option.

What We Like:

• Comes in various colors.
• Works on several materials.
• Offers a non-reflective finish.

What We Don’t Like:

• Doesn’t work well on plastic.

Best Spray Paint for AR 15 – Buying Guide

Now, if you have read about all the best picks that we have given above for the painting AR15, you must have gained the slightest idea about its buying guide as well.

Well, that is not enough since the whole process requires more knowledge about spray paints. However, keeping some points in your head is enough. Look at them.

Paint Quality

This is the first thing to consider while buying spray paint. Its quality should be top-notch. It should create a strong bond on the surface when applied. For hunting purposes, make sure, you get one that provides a matte finish instead of a glossy finish.

Also, many spray paints do not serve well enough in high temperatures. The cheap ones get tacky even at normal temperatures. So, make sure the formula is high in quality so that you won’t have to respray your AR 15 firearms frequently.

Cure Time

It is another fact to consider since the perfect finish depends on the cure time. Nonetheless, the cure time mostly depends on the brands.

Different branded spray paint requires different time range as cure time. Some of the best AR 15 spray paints are promised to offer a cure time of 10 to 15 minutes. Again, some other spray paints come with a cure time from one hour to even one day.

So, know your need and then select the one that offers a considerable cure time for the paint.

Resistance Power

Resistance power is also important. First of all, the formula of spray paint should be highly resistant to moisture. It should also be resistant to rust, corrosion, chipping, smudging, rubbing off, and all. This is an important feature that you should obviously look for if you are up to buy spray paint.

Nozzle feature

You should also check the nozzle of the spray can. Many times, the nozzle is clogged when you start spraying. That is real trouble and sometimes doesn’t allow even coating.

However, the clogging also depends on the formulation of the paint. If it is runny then clogging the nozzle won’t be a problem. Nonetheless, cleaning or replacing the nozzle is possible. Also, the best gun spray paint features nozzle that doesn’t clog easily.

Color

To make your ar15 more attractive, selecting the correct color is very important. Many brands offer a wider range of colors for painting firearms. We have already mentioned many of them above. So, check out if the can is offering the exact color you want.

Versatility

The branded spray paint is used not only for one purpose. Rather it comes with extensive versatility and can be used on almost any surface material. AR15 is made of many different materials. So, versatility is a must. It should also adhere properly to the surfaces.

How to Spray Paint a Rifle (AR15)?

Painting a Rifle with spray paint is an easy task. You won’t need any expert help if you follow the steps given below.

Degrease and Sand Your Rifle

It is the first thing to do while painting a rifle. You can degrease the parts by using sandpaper. It will roughen the parts. It will ensure better adhesion. You can also use a Scotch-Brite pad. For the metal parts of the gun, sandblasting will be more effective.

Do not sand critical parts of the gun. Plug the holes of the gun with modeling clay and tape the areas where you don’t want to sandblast. Also, use a 120-grit blasting media of aluminum oxide for this purpose.

Wear Safety Gear while Sandblasting

Sandblaster moving requires carefulness and also a safety measure. Wear goggles, and a respirator is a must. Also, it is better if you wear long sleeves along with leather gloves. These will ensure your complete protection.

Apply Coating

This is the next step after sandblasting the rifle. Choose the desired color and then spray the gun. Do not spray the paint holding it too much closer to the surface. Make sure of a 6 to 8-inch distance between the surface and spray paint. Keep painting until it creates an even coat all over the area.

Let It Dry

After applying one coat, let the AR15 dry. If necessary, you can add another coat of paint but make sure the previous coat dries first. According to the spray paint quality, the dry to touch and cure time might require 30 minutes to 3 hours. However, to have the coating dry to touch, you can follow the tips below.

• Bake the parts at about 350-degrees Fahrenheit for around 30 minutes.
• Also, you can use other constant and controllable heat sources following what the instructions say.
• Again, you can go for an oven thermometer that offers temperatures with monitoring and regulating benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Best Spray Paint for AR-15

1. Does painting on the rifle barrel affect accuracy?

Painting the rifle barrel doesn’t affect its accuracy. It surely won’t lose its value. For a quality finish, a paint job on our rifle barrel won’t hurt its value.

2. Does spray paint hold up on guns?

The answer depends on the spray paint you are using. Spray paints that are designed for coating on metal surfaces will surely offer environmental protection. Therefore, it can hold up on guns quite well. On the contrary, aerosol spray paints are not that capable.

3. Can you paint your AR-15?

Absolutely! Many AR15 owners have taken it as one of their passions. If you own the best spray can, you can give painting your AR15 a try.

4. What kind of paint can I use on my AR-15?

There are many versatile spray paints that are ideal for painting AR-15. It is great if you find paint that is fast-drying, easy to apply, and has a high-quality formula. It should also be durable.

5. What is the best spray paint for AR15 to use on a gun?

Many spray paints are considered the best for painting over guns and firearms. We have already mentioned them earlier. Among them, you can use Krylon Camouflage, Brownells Aluma-Hyde, and Rust-Oleum Specialty Camouflage.

Our Verdict

There are many reasons a gun owner should spray paint his guns. It makes the gun less noticeable and visible to your hunting game. Nonetheless, it is just a personal choice.

According to formula texture and consistency, moisture resistance, and other properties, we highly recommend the Krylon Camouflage Paint for your favorite AR15.

Our other recommended products are also worth trying and also the best spray paints for AR15. So, if you are highly passionate about the improvement of your AR15, go for any of them.