How to paint Snake Skin

[Sarcyn]

A couple people asked for me to make a how to of the snakeskin paint job.
Here ya go:

I will be painting my stock barrel for this How To. It's the only thing I could find to paint....




Materials:
Krylon paint (just my opinion, use any paint you want) in Flat Black, Flat Green (I used Flat Italian Olive), and brown (couldn't find a "flat" so I guess mine is gloss)
Masking tape or painters tape, both work well
Scissors
Clamps (optional)
Mesh/netting. I got mine from the inside pockets of an old duffel bag (sorry mom)




Step 1
Clean/sand your surface

Step 2
If your suface isn't already black then give it 1 or 2 quick even coats. Of course when I finally get around to making a How To my Flat Black stops work. So I used a Gloss instead. Make sure you let this completely dry before moving on. Wet paint + wet paint = badbadbadbadbadbadbadbad... unless you do it with 2 hammered finishes, that is just plain cool.



Step 3
Tape off any areas you don't want to be snakeskin (what you want to stay black). In this case I just taped off the threads. I also stuffed some paper towel into the barrel to keep out any paint getting in there. I like to put a little bit of tape over each end too for extra protection.






Step 4
Cut the netting to fit your surface. It is best to leave some extra hanging off the end.Take your netting and place it over your surface. Anchor it down on one side first. Then stretch it over the surface you want to be painted. It is SO important to have the netting pressing tightly AGAINST your surface, that's why its good to leave some extra! If there is any space between the netting and surface the pattern will not come out or will be faded in that area. Use those muscles! When I painted my marker I used clamps, they are a great idea!







Step 5
Spray 1 even coat of green over your tightly taped netting. Make sure you are completely over top of the netting, meaning that the spray will not be on an angle to spray under the netting. It is a good idea to prop the surface you are spraying against a wall or put it on the floor and stand over top of it. Do not drench the surface or the paint will saturate the netting and seep on to the black base coat.






Step 6
Let dry COMPLETELY.

Step 7
Add a second coat of green. Light and even. Again making sure you are not spraying on an angle.

Step 8
Let dry COMPLETELY

Step 9
Next is the fun part. Use the brown to creat some lines. As you can see I went off the barrel with the paint. You'll want to do quick motions again being sure to stay above your surface and not spraying on an angle.






Step 10
Let dry COMPLETELY! Then you can removed your tape and netting...!



**Note** When I painted my marker I let the parts sit under some really hot halogen lights for about a half hour. Then I put it under a fan to cool. This was my alternative to baking the paint. I noticed that the paint seemed much thinner than when just regularly spraying + letting dry.

Links to my other painted stuff:
Gun
Apex

[cwest1977]

Awesome, thanks for the How-To.

[Snake-Eyes78]

Cool how too! Rep 4 you!

[Gearhead]

Good how to!
Do you use any varnish at the end? any coat to protect the finish?

[Sarcyn]

No because I haven't found any matte clear coat that actually works. But if you have something I'm sure it would be fine. That reminds me, I have to add a note to my how to

[Simbrian]

You're obviously a painting god sent to us from the Great Prophet Zarquon.

[cwest1977]

For a great matte topcoat, I like to use Testors dull coat. Can be bought at any Hobby Store. Since, our local hobby store has paintball gear its another good excuse to peruse the goods.

[Sarcyn]

Thanks for the info, I will definitely check that stuff out. It would be nice to protect the paint on my marker.
The hobby store around here is only for RC cars... I wish they had paintball stuff.... But I know if I spend too long around those cars I'll walk out with one. I used to have a really cool old school RC with a Gravedigger body kit. So epic.

[cwest1977]

I've done that before. Went in for paint and walked out with a remote control helicoptor you can fly in the house. My wife loves that purchase (sarcasm).

[Sarcyn]

bahaha

My dad and I got something like that... Except it flew for like 30 seconds (you had to get really good at taking off...) and then plummeted full speed back to earth. After a day or so off getting it in the air and watching it smash into the ground we taped some pieces that came off back on, repackaged it, and returned it. Oh we also strapped a small flashlight to the bottom and tried flying it at night, haha.