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RussianPaint™ Application Instructions

Aug 18th 2021

Russian Paint Application Instructions

Important Notes

If the paint is 'cobwebbing' (appearing like fine strands during spraying), it is too thick. Add 10–20% more lacquer thinner, mix thoroughly, and continue until resolved. This does not indicate a defect. If the paint is lumpy, shake thoroughly and rehydrate with fresh lacquer thinner if needed. Always shake well before use.

Minimum Tools / Supplies

  • HVLP spray gun (.8mm needle w/ regulator)
  • lacquer thinner
  • acetone
  • nylon brush
  • sandblaster with 120–180 grit aluminum oxide (required)
  • painter’s tape
  • razor blade
  • respirator

Optional Supplies

Small paintbrush, parkerizing setup, TSP Powder (not substitute), hygrometer.

Degreasing

If lubricant is used, ensure it is water-soluble. Oil/grease will complicate the process, replacing tools is worth the cost vs spending time degreasing a oil/greasy mess. The factory, and I don't use any lubricatnts building AKs.

Boil firearm in water 20–30 minutes until oil rises to the surface. Preheat oven to 300°F. Overflow or pour off surface oil before removing firearm—do not pull through oil layer.

Blow dry with compressed air and place rifle into oven. Inspect pins, journals, rails, rivets. If oil appears after ~20 minutes, clean with acetone or brake cleaner and scrub.

Return to oven and repeat until no oil seeps out. If persistent, re-boil and repeat.

Prepping for Paint

YOU HAVE TO USE A SANDBLASTER with Aluminum Oxide. Nothing else will work

Plug chamber, gas block, and mask threads/crown. Sandblast with 100–180 grit aluminum oxide ONLY, no other media will work. Blow off media, with a clean spray gun apply light coat of acetone to remove dusty haze. 

Remask areas.

Painting

Mix paint 1:1 with lacquer thinner. Do not use other solvents.

Strain paint before spraying with 190-250 micron filter

Do not paint above 65% humidity. High humidity causes blushing.

Set spray gun with minimal fan. Pressure: 20–30 PSI.

Adjust needle to achieve a light mist—no dripping.

Apply wet-over-wet. If cobwebbing occurs, stop and thin further.

Paint inside receiver first, then receiver, then barrel.

Finish Options

Flat: Fast dry coats, you can preheat to 200°F. for super dry finish, reheat gun with heat gun

Semi-Gloss: Slower wet passes

Gloss: 180 grit prep, lower PSI, wetter coats, filter the paint well prior to spraying, if it drips just let it flash. You can make it look glossier by overthinning paint too. More coats will be necessary but it will go on smoother. 

Drying

Hang dry 1 hour before applying heat.

Options:

  • 24-hour air dry (factory method)
  • Oven at 200°F for 1 hour
  • Heat Gun works fine too, you must let paint flash prior to applying heat or it will flatten finish

For max gloss: 24–48 hour dry before baking

Preval Aerosol Sprayer Instructions

When using a Preval aerosol sprayer, thin the paint to approximately 60% lacquer thinner. Filter the paint thoroughly before filling the sprayer to prevent clogging.

Apply the coating in the same manner as standard spraying techniques. Due to aerosol atomization, the finish will typically be flatter than HVLP application.

To achieve a semi-gloss finish, apply the final coat as a light dusting from a slightly greater distance.

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