Q&A for How to Spray Paint a Nerf Gun

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Question

What if my primer is clear? Does it matter?

Community Answer

A black base coat works best, because it gives you a consistent base of color to cover with your finish paints.

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Question

Do you have to sand?

Community Answer

It is worth the effort to sand, because the paint will adhere better and last longer.

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Question

Do you need to apply a layer of base coat?

Community Answer

Applying the base coat makes it much easier to get a consistent final color, and will likely actually save you time in the long run.

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Question

How do I apply a light coat of paint?

Community Answer

Hold the can far away from the gun and do several coats. The further away you hold the can from the gun, the lighter the layers will be.

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Question

What color do I need the base coat to be?

Community Answer

You can paint it any color that you desire.

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Question

Why do I need to take it apart?

Community Answer

There are several reasons. For one, if you intend on using it as a functioning Nerf gun, paint could possibly gunk up the trigger or other mechanisms in it that would keep it from functioning properly. Another is that there are lots of little spaces & angles on the surface that are a lot easier to paint when disassembled.

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Question

Why do we need to add a clear coat?

Justus Carnley

Community Answer

To help protect the paint from scratches. It also keeps the paint from rubbing off and looking terrible.

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Question

Do I have to take apart the Nerf gun or can I just tape over the barrel?

Community Answer

You have to take apart the Nerf gun because paint may clog and mess up the interiors of the gun, and you cannot just tape over the barrel because there are other parts in Nerf gun besides the barrel, such as the trigger, compressor, and spring.

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Question

Can I spray paint a BoomCo gun? Can I spray paint Nerf magazines?

Community Answer

Yes, and yes. Nerf mags will be easier due to their simplicity. But remember to put the spring back in or it’ll be useless.

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Question

What's a good Nerf gun to spray paint?

Community Answer

I prefer the Firestrike, it is the easiest gun to take apart. And it is smaller, so it will take less time. I already have 4 custom Firestrikes!

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Question

Do I have to disassemble a Nerf blaster to paint it?

Awesome_Munther

Community Answer

No, but it makes it easier to paint and will save you time; you won't have to maneuver as much, as there won't be many tight spots.

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Question

Why can't I just tape and spray the affected areas?

Community Answer

The paint gets into the moving parts, and when you fire the weapon it gets clogged, and also tears the paint, causing it to come apart and start to peel. Taking it apart is very easy, and if you have floor or a desk space, and you can use a phone to take pictures or videos of the process so you can remember how to put it back together. I've seen people tape and paint the weapon, and it always turns out badly.

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Question

How long will the paint last?

Community Answer

A very long time; many years, if you do it right.

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Question

Can I spray paint an electric Nerf gun?

Community Answer

Yes, you can spray paint it if you would like to change the color of it. Follow the instructions listed in the article for best results.

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Question

What do I do if my Nerf gun doesn't have two separate shells?

Community Answer

Spray one side and wait for it to dry, and then do the other side. Tape over the areas that you don't want to be painted, and then spray lightly, making gentle movements going back and forth across the gun.

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Question

Where do you point the spray can when spraying?

Community Answer

Aim it at the area you intend to paint.

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Question

What grit of sandpaper should I use?

Community Answer

You should pick a fine grit, anywhere from 200 to 600 grit. Lower grits will scratch the gun instead of just removing the paint.

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Question

How do I pick good colors when spray painting my Nerf gun?

Community Answer

If you want it to be stealthy, maybe camo would work. Metallic paints look very nice. If you're out of ideas, just paint it your favorite color.

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Question

Can I spray paint metal on a Nerf gun?

Community Answer

Yes, you can paint using metallic paints on Nerf blasters, just look up the laws about having orange tipped blasters, and if you have it in public, you should keep it in a bag if it looks especially realistic.

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Question

Will spray paint made for metal work when spray painting a Nerf gun?

Community Answer

It will, but it won't last that long. You can read the can's label to see what it will adhere to.

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Question

What do I do if I can't prime my Nerf gun after spray painting it?

Community Answer

Sand the areas around the priming mechanism (handle/lever/ pump grip). You could also run a scalpel or knife around the edge of the priming mechanism so the paint hasn't acted as glue between the priming mechanism and the weapon itself.

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Question

How much paint is needed for the main coat when spray painting a Nerf gun?

Community Answer

One spray can will probably paint two or three blasters with dual-layer coats.

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Question

How do I spray paint a flywheel Nerf blaster?

Community Answer

Just like you spray a manual blaster, but make sure to wire the thing correctly when you're done.

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Question

What should I do if I can't remove the barrel when spray painting my Nerf gun?

Community Answer

If you want to make it a different color than the rest of the gun, cover it up. If not, just paint it!

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Question

Should I paint the trigger on my Nerf gun?

Community Answer

Absolutely! Just make sure it dries correctly, and to take it out of the gun.

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Question

What brand of spray paint works best when spray painting a Nerf gun?

Community Answer

Try using krylon fusion for plastics, it works especially well.

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Question

Why do I want to keep the orange tip orange when spray painting a Nerf gun?

Community Answer

The orange tip indicates that it is a toy not a real gun. This is important for the sake of safety and not seeming threatening to others.

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Question

What brand of acrylic paints work best with a Nerf gun?

Community Answer

Humbrol acrylic works well, then use the Humbrol clear coat to finish it.

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Question

Are there things to color a gun besides spray painting?

Community Answer

Yes, you can hand paint, and you can use a technique similar to marbling to get swirl patterns.

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Question

Can I use oil based paints on a Nerf gun?

Community Answer

Acrylic paint works best on a nNrf gun but if oil paints give it a certain look to it that you might like, then go for it.

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