Considering giving your gel blaster a distinct makeover?
Custom painting has become a popular trend among Orbeez gun enthusiasts and with good reason. They not only elevate your blaster’s visual appeal but also grant you the creative freedom to craft a look that resonates with your style. Personally, I took on the task of painting my M416 gel blaster rifle and an SMG splatter ball gun.
Now, diving into the art of customizing a blaster requires a delicate touch; otherwise, it can become quite messy, resembling the handiwork of a 5-year-old with paint splatters in every direction. But, don’t worry; I am here with some pro tips and a step-by-step guide.
So, stick around to unravel the ins and outs of how to paint gel blasters and splat guns, ensuring a professional and personalized finish.
How To Paint Gel Blasters And Splatter Ball Guns?
If you have some experience in spray painting, revamping your blaster with a fresh paint job shouldn’t pose much of a challenge. Let’s break down the process with a step-by-step guide to ensure you nail the transformation.
Step 1: Choose Your Colors
First things first, figure out the vibe you’re aiming for with your paint job. Are you thinking of subtle highlights, a full-blown makeover, or something in between? Do you fancy a sleek black finish, a camo-style look, or perhaps a playful, toy-inspired design?
Choosing the colors or theme to customize your splat gun involves considering a few factors:
- Skill Level: If you’re new to spray paint, creating a camouflage pattern can be challenging, since they require you to layer multiple colors without causing them to flower or bubble. Layering multiple colors on the gun without issues requires some experience. For beginners, I recommend starting with a simpler task, like an all-black paint job. It’s sleek, realistic, and less prone to mistakes.
- Tactical Goals: Your custom painting can serve more than just an aesthetic purpose. For serious players who strategically use camouflaged gear to stay undetected in competitive matches, a camo paint job with matching colors can offer a significant tactical advantage.
- Realism: Consider how realistic you want your gel blaster to appear. Players often prefer a realistic appearance for an added thrill, but for kids, a more vibrant design like the Nerf Pro Gelfire might be more appealing. However, never carry a highly realistic toy gun in public without an orange tip, as it may be mistaken for a real firearm.
- Local Laws: Be aware of any local regulations governing gel ball blasters. Some regions have specific laws to prevent potential hazards associated with people confusing realistic splatter ball guns for genuine weapons. For example, in New York, color choices are limited, and only bright colors are allowed to clearly distinguish them as “toy guns.”
Before you get started on painting your gun, make sure to look into the Gel Blaster laws in your region. Take your color preferences into account when deciding how to paint the blaster. Feel free to be creative – whether it’s mimicking a weapon skin from a video game or choosing a theme inspired by your favorite movie or game!
NOTE: Avoid black, blue, silver, or aluminum colors to paint your splat guns as some regions restrict their use on toy guns.
Step 2: Opt For Your Desired Texture
Choosing your paint goes beyond just selecting a color; it involves deciding on the finish you want to achieve. Multiple textures for the same color can dramatically influence the final appearance. In fact, a well-executed gel blaster paint job often involves incorporating various finishes and textures.
Take, for instance, my preference for giving the metal grip a textured, satin-like finish. When aiming for a metallic look, I would strongly recommend avoiding matte paints, as they tend to have an unpleasant look and feel. Semi-gloss paints, on the other hand, provide a much smoother texture once they’ve dried.
While steel and brushed steel paints are common choices for metal finishes on splat ball guns, they may appear a bit too dark. Consider opting for an aluminum finish instead, as it not only offers a unique texture but also contributes to giving the gun a distinctive ‘grimy’ appearance.
Step 3: Get Your Spray Paint Cans
Now that you’ve settled on your preferred colors and texture, it’s time to make the purchase. Personally, I opt for TS Tamiya spray paint cans. They come equipped with sufficient quantity for a couple of coats on most gel blaster guns and deliver a smooth and even spray consistency.
If your design involves multiple colors and layering, ensure that you choose paints of the same type, whether all acrylic or all enamel. Mixing the two can result in undesired effects like bubbling and inconsistencies.
Step 4: Apply Primer
After arranging everything, clean your blaster with a microfiber cloth to ensure there is no debris present on the surface. While not obligatory, adding a clear coat of primer on your splatter ball gun can significantly extend the longevity of your paint job.
Just like the spray paint, you can find a primer in the Tamiya can as well. In specific areas, such as the foregrip, you might consider using a rubberizing agent like Plasti-Dip or Rustoleum LeakSeal.
Before you embark on the spraying process, whether it’s the primer or the paint, remember to wear a face mask to protect yourself from the fumes.
Step 5: Start Spray Painting
With the primer appropriately applied and dried, it’s time to begin the spray painting process on your gel blaster using your chosen colors. Aim for a minimum of two coats of paint, ensuring three to four passes for each coat.
Patience is key – avoid rushing the process. Allow 20 to 30 minutes between each coat. Hastily painting your Orbeez gun without allowing sufficient drying time can lead to a tacky finish that may not withstand even a few days.
Step 6: Apply A Protective Finish
Last but not least, apply a protective finishing coat to safeguard against paint wear. Opting for a satin-clear coat proves to be the optimal choice, steering clear of gloss and semi-gloss finishes that might make the blaster excessively shiny. And, once again, it’s advisable to steer clear of matte finishes.
Tips For Spray Painting A Gel Gun
Now that you’ve learned how to give your gel blaster a custom paint job, here are some additional tips to ease the process and make the outcome more fruitful:
- Choose a well-ventilated area: Opt for an outdoor space if possible. This facilitates faster and more effective drying of the paint.
- Avoid extreme weather conditions: Steer clear of direct sunlight and excessively windy conditions, as they can cause the paint to dry too quickly, resulting in a powdery finish.
- Prepare the blaster’s surface: If your splatter gun’s surface is very slippery, consider lightly sanding it or using an adhesion promoter. This helps the primer and paint adhere properly.
- Test the spray paint: Before applying it to your gel blaster gun, test the spray paint on similar plastic pieces. Spare parts are usually available at local stores for as low as $10.
- Prioritize safety: I repeat – don’t forget to put on a mask. You don’t want to inhale those spray paint fumes. Your health always comes first.
By following these tips, you’ll ensure a smoother and more successful painting experience.
Finishing Touch: Transforming Your Blaster with a Flair
There you have it – a guide on how to paint your gel blaster and splatter ball gun. Once you grasp the process, customizing the gun becomes relatively straightforward. However, if this is your first attempt at spray painting, a bit of practice might be in order.
Online video tutorials on specific paint jobs can offer additional guidance and visual demonstrations:
I trust this information proves helpful, empowering you to impart a distinctive and impressive look to your blaster.
