PEO Solider has published a document [PDF link] called "Weapons Painting 101". If you are planning on stray painting your rifle, especially an AR-15, then it is worth reading.
[ Many thanks to Lance for emailing me the link. ]
If you thought cleaning off the carbon for turn in was tough…..
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0Like I posted last week or so, you can paint it, but don’t expect to get it clean with Break Free.
0 0Soldier, I missed that post but ha I did wonder how easy it would be to get the paint off as per their instruction
0 0the best camouflage is to paint the whole thing tan (krylon paint) then use a paintbrush to apply the green (also krylon) to it. The pattern should be a brushy, tan and green camo that works effectively in most desert and temperate environments.
0 0I loved how the painted M16 in the manual had clearly NOT followed the masking instructions. Do as I say not as I do, right? 
0 0This policy is only for company commanders in a combat theater so its going to stay a Black Rilfe anywhere else.
0 0Anyone else get some weird errors when trying to download or view that PDF? I don’t know if this was the cause, but after this failed to open properly in my browser I had to reinstall Acrobat Reader.
0 0whatever, it may be SSL certificate problems. The DoD have thier own root certificate that may not be installed on your computer and so you may have problems. Works in Firefox (you just have to click through some warnings)
0 0If this is your first time start with a GI magazine to get some experience.
AR15.com has a painting and refinishing board to answer any questions.
Painting your firearms isn’t hard. It might be time consuming depending on how complex you want it to be.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=6&f=19
0 0Is anyone else getting a certificate error from the link?
0 0John, you are going to get that on all encrypted .mil websites, unless you have their root certificate installed.
0 0
the best camouflage is to paint the whole thing tan (krylon paint) then use a paintbrush to apply the green (also krylon) to it. The pattern should be a brushy, tan and green camo that works effectively in most desert and temperate environments.
Like I posted last week or so, you can paint it, but don’t expect to get it clean with Break Free.
Soldier, I missed that post but ha I did wonder how easy it would be to get the paint off as per their instruction
If you thought cleaning off the carbon for turn in was tough…..
I loved how the painted M16 in the manual had clearly NOT followed the masking instructions. Do as I say not as I do, right?
If this is your first time start with a GI magazine to get some experience.
AR15.com has a painting and refinishing board to answer any questions.
Painting your firearms isn’t hard. It might be time consuming depending on how complex you want it to be.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=6&f=19
Anyone else get some weird errors when trying to download or view that PDF? I don’t know if this was the cause, but after this failed to open properly in my browser I had to reinstall Acrobat Reader.
whatever, it may be SSL certificate problems. The DoD have thier own root certificate that may not be installed on your computer and so you may have problems. Works in Firefox (you just have to click through some warnings)
This policy is only for company commanders in a combat theater so its going to stay a Black Rilfe anywhere else.
Is anyone else getting a certificate error from the link?
John, you are going to get that on all encrypted .mil websites, unless you have their root certificate installed.