N/A Painting Advice for the metal of a Crosman 114

[Skysho]

Just picked up my auction winnings this week and have already started cleaning and refinishing as needed. The Shanghai Model 62 just needed cleaning and gun wax. It shoots very well and quite accurate. The Crosman 66 Powermaster is almost spotless and came with its box. The Benjamin 347 needs a little TLC on the stock but it shoots well. The Crosman Model 114 needs some serious work and not sure if it holds air until I receive the tank I ordered.

Here's where I'm hoping to get a little advice. I'm certainly not a painter but I've painted a 1946 CJ2A Willys and it turned out acceptable for the woods. Slapped on plenty of paint on interiors and exteriors along with trim. Used rattle cans on lots of metal items that weren't destined to be viewed up close. I got a can of Kleen Stripper spray and tackled the 114, cleaned it all up with Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber and some fine steel wool. I think it's ready for painting. My first question is what kind of paint, enamel, epoxy, or acrylic? Assuming a primer compatible with the paint is necessary. Any additional tips greatly appreciated. TIA

 

[KWK]

Well, I am a professional painter.
Get one of these

Use Rustoleum oil base paint in the sheen you prefer. 8 oz can

You will have to reduce the paint with thinner to get it to atomize properly. Mineral spirits, or Naptha will speed dry time some.
Oil paint loves to be sprayed and will flow out like glass. Practice on something first.
Let oil paint cure for about a week before rough handling. Paint dries to touch but takes time to fully cure.
You won't need primer. And if you do, any chips in the paint will show up in the lighter primer color. Are you going to be scratching up your restored gun?
I wouldn't primer

Here is an example of the professional finish I get. Back block and trigger guard on a BSA Challenger carbine .22. Glistens, No orange peal. I chose Gloss finish for this job.

Nicely refinished stock

 

[Skysho]

Thank you for the information, I had not even thought about using an air brush. Now I wish I hadn't got rid of my little compressor I used for my dry wall texture gun. Your pictures look very nice! I'll do a little exploring on this idea. Thanks again.

 

[boscoebrea]

Harbour Fright has cheap airbrushes that can use canned air. Of course you need that store nearby.Or get good with a spray can; for smaller work I use model paint,like for plastic models,bigger the Rust-oleum also comes in spray cans....you can not beat a good airbrush,you can beat a cheap one.