Anyone paint a laminate stock.

[zanemoseley]

I bought a Savage 93R17 rifle and the stock was damaged in shipping. Savage is getting me a new stock but appears they don't want back the original. So I was thinking of trying my hand at painting it. I have a Savage model 12 benchrest in 6br I've wanted to paint too.

My buddy says the automotive aerosols are getting pretty darn good but arent cheap at over $30 a can for color. Would probably have $100 in the paint and clear.

So anyone try painting themselves? How good were the results.

 

[Grimstod]

Don't hesitate to get good paint. The cheap stuff does not last. Also let it cure for at least a week or more. And don't buy rattle cans. Get actual pain. Find someone with a spray gun.
For prep make sure it's clean. Alcohol is a good cleaner. Any grease from fingers will prevent paint from holding one. That is about as much as I know.

 

[biggen0_8]

I've never painted a laminate, I did paint a walnut stock probably 25 years ago, I used black automotive lacquer. It still looks good all these years later.

 

[snert]

I had a walnut 40X painted 25 years ago with base coat clear coat over a bunch of filler primer and bondo. The stock was sanded (bare smooth walnut) then filler primer, some light bondo type and lots more coats of filler primer, sanded, then base/clear. It is still very nice.

 

[TerryH]

As previously stated, wood can be painted as long as it has good prep but will require primer and probably some fill work. Kudos if you want to do it yourself and it certainly can be done but I'm betting that a local body shop would paint it for you for a reasonable price. Automotive urethane holds up pretty darn well on firearms.

 

[shoot4fun]

I would think you would need to rough up the clear that is on the laminate now before hand. I had a laminate painted with a dark red tinted clear coat but it was done by a friend who does auto paint & body work. It turned out great and you can still see wood grain underneath. It was well worth the paltry $150 I paid him.
Like everyone says do not use rattle can no matter what it costs. It just won't do what you want.

 

[hepburn45110]

I have four laminate stocks that I've had painted with automotive paint. I wouldn't hesitate to have another done. The clear coat looks about a half inch thick when you get it buffed out.

 

[quadracer]

I have painted two Bobby Hart laminates with the rattle can camo paint, matte clear and web spray. Sanded down to bare wood and primed. It's all in the prep. I am very happy with both, and wouldn't hesitate to do again.

 

[dolek]

I have painted two Bobby Hart laminates with the rattle can camo paint, matte clear and web spray. Sanded down to bare wood and primed. It's all in the prep. I am very happy with both, and wouldn't hesitate to do again.

I agree,all in the prep .I have done a few w/ rattle cans,turned out fine. I usually go with matte clear for finish coat,seems to hold up quite well to cleaning solvents.

 

[6MMsteve]

if you paint it and don't like it, you can paint it again. I am in the process of making a mess on my savage stock so it's my second time in 2wks lol, but if I don't like it will try again. go for it try a test pc of wood do your entire process on that pc of wood, don't skimp then transfer your findings to your stock

 

[dolek]

if you paint it and don't like it, you can paint it again. I am in the process of making a mess on my savage stock so it's my second time in 2wks lol, but if I don't like it will try again. go for it try a test pc of wood do your entire process on that pc of wood, don't skimp then transfer your findings to your stock

You bring up a good point.By going through the complete process from start to finish you know exactly what you will get in the end .If it is not to your liking you can tweak the process .

 

[sdneil]

I had a Savage Mark 2 laminate painted in 2012...still looks awsome...prep is super important...friend in a body shop painted for me... I did the prep work which was not much because stock was like new... base coat clear coat...looks to be wet all the time...millions of dollars are spent each year making automotive paint better and more durable...I dont think you could do better... even a clear coat on these stocks will make it look great.......

 

[Bully]

I had a walnut 40X painted 25 years ago with base coat clear coat over a bunch of filler primer and bondo. The stock was sanded (bare smooth walnut) then filler primer, some light bondo type and lots more coats of filler primer, sanded, then base/clear. It is still very nice.

Any chance you have a picture? I have a 40X that I may paint. I'd love to see one that's been done.

 

[teele1]

I painted my laminate F/Class Savage stock I'm not claiming to be a painter but it came out good enough for me. BTW 4.27 action repillar bedded in this action.
Clean, clean, scuff, clean, clean, clean then Dura Coat
View attachment 1026452

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Paint laminate all the time not really any different than painting any other surface, prime, seal, paint.

 

[Chfcemerson]

One thing to consider is instead of painting have the stock dipped. I had a laminated stock on a rimfire benchrest gun. I never liked the color of it so I decided to get it dipped. Now the stock looks like its all carbon fiber. It went from an ugly frog to the belle of the ball. It will cost you more unless you are looking for a paint job like the one that Alex showed.

 

[Shynloco]

Zane,
You can buy the Automotive paint on Ebay. One can will do the entire stock as once you activate the can, you must use it and can't save it. Just had one of my BR laminated stocks repainted (by my Gunsmith who finishes my stocks) and it turned out very nicely. There have been others who have posted pictures of doing the same and they turned out beautifully. Just make sure the stock is cleaned off of any oils or sticky surfaces before painting. And let it fully dry meaning let it sit for several hours (like 8) or your fingerprints will forever be there. Sorry, I haven't a clue how to post pictures of mine and don't have the techno equipment (an IPhone or similar contraption) necessary to do it anyways.

Alex

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Dipping is good IF you find a guy who is doing a quality job. Most are doing it cheap and using rattle can or production clear coat. The finish will not be durable and will always feel "sticky" in the bags. I learned early on you have to use quality clear to get a smooth break way during recoil in the bags. Theres about $90 in clear coat on a finished stock. Good clear is expensive, almost $400 a gallon. It dries slow and is harder to spray than "production clear" which dries fast. But you will have to use stock tape with cheap clear coat to get a smooth action in the bags.

 

[Chfcemerson]

This is dipped and clear coated. It was but ugly yellowish laminated before and now has stock tape on both ends.

 

[Tempest]

Yes painted 2 of them. Both holding up great. Surface was finished like preparing a car. Sealed with epoxy primer and urethane paint.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...6c9e80bbebee1629f9~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.webp

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...939a7a3b477441e5a8~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.webp