Super easy
1. Prep surface: for metal if you have it, lightly abrasive blast, for stock rough up the surface with sand paper. Be careful with composites they are usually textured enough to not need it.
2. Degrease
3. Tape off any parts you don’t want painted like barrel channel, bedded areas, threads, etc.
4. Apply your base coat. I usually do 2-3 light coats until you have a nice even, solid base. I use a light base like desert sand.
5. Have multiple, natural sponges, that are all new. Natural sponges have better texture. Take what colors you want to use and use one sponge per color. Have the colors you want readily accessible and Dab in random patterns. I would do one color first, then move to the next, until you have all the colors represented and with the appropriate color density you want.
6. Let dry over night
7. Apply 2-3 layers of clear coat.
8. Dry over night and reassemble.
You can use krylon or duracoat. I’ve never done it on a gun but I’ve done it on a bow and Jon boats before. Here’s a cool video that shows that you can do with this technique.
Go slow and do light coats. It’s better to go light and reapply than it is to have to much and it runs down the stock.
I hoped I helped. I’m no expert, but I know it’s not impossible to do a good job yourself. It’s rewarding too.
