I've had a few request for a guide on stock texturing that I have done on a couple rifles. My preference is to have something fairly heavy, similar to the texturing done on Tac Ops rifles. You can always spend more time sanding or on the texturing to get the exact look you are going for Lots of pictures, I'll give some text along with them, but it is all fairly straightforward and relatively easy to do. Please feel free to PM or post any questions.
Here to start, just tape off any area where you want the texture pattern to be. I use a standard blue painter's tape and it has worked well. I use gray marine tex, shown here
Mix gray marine tex according to instructions, and apply. I use a tongue depressor, it seems to work very well. It only takes a thin coat, but make sure that is is completely covered. Here is a picture of my first coat, which was a little heavy on the left side.
You will be able to see if it is the right thickness once you start to pull it up for the texture. The first picture here is showing what it may look like when it is too thick. I then just scraped some off and then brought the texture back up.
To bring up the texture, I use the same tongue depressor I applied with. You want to make a quick slapping motion down onto the texture, and retract it quickly. If you are not getting the smaller peaks try removing a little of the marine tex and then bringing the texture back up. it takes a little time to setup, so don't be afraid to spend some time getting it the way you want. Keep in mind you will sand afterwards, which can alter it greatly.
Once you have the texture you desire, you will want to remove the tape while the compound is still wet.
If there are any areas where it went outside the tape, I use a sheetrock blade and scrape it off to make a clean line, shown below. You may be a little more meticulous than I am.
Clean up any edges you would like to, then wait for it to completely harden, then you will be able to sand and paint, shown later.
Here to start, just tape off any area where you want the texture pattern to be. I use a standard blue painter's tape and it has worked well. I use gray marine tex, shown here
Mix gray marine tex according to instructions, and apply. I use a tongue depressor, it seems to work very well. It only takes a thin coat, but make sure that is is completely covered. Here is a picture of my first coat, which was a little heavy on the left side.
You will be able to see if it is the right thickness once you start to pull it up for the texture. The first picture here is showing what it may look like when it is too thick. I then just scraped some off and then brought the texture back up.
To bring up the texture, I use the same tongue depressor I applied with. You want to make a quick slapping motion down onto the texture, and retract it quickly. If you are not getting the smaller peaks try removing a little of the marine tex and then bringing the texture back up. it takes a little time to setup, so don't be afraid to spend some time getting it the way you want. Keep in mind you will sand afterwards, which can alter it greatly.
Once you have the texture you desire, you will want to remove the tape while the compound is still wet.
If there are any areas where it went outside the tape, I use a sheetrock blade and scrape it off to make a clean line, shown below. You may be a little more meticulous than I am.
Clean up any edges you would like to, then wait for it to completely harden, then you will be able to sand and paint, shown later.
