Aftermath Kraken Spray Help

[Statua]

I want to paint over the clear part of this a very dark grey colour but with all it's seams, parts (the safety switch on the other side) and how well the paint is going to stick (smooth plastic), it won't be as easy as putting on tape and spraying the damn thing. Any hints or tips on how to do this?

Also, I'm going for the worn n torn look on this (to fit my post apoc bdu) and aside from drybrushing edges, what else could I do?

[Strelok]

Painting them can be as simple as just disassembling it, and hitting it with krylon.

Though, being a model painter myself, your best option is to drybrush... However, there is an alternative you can do. Which is making the first layer of paint a 'metallic', then paint over it with a matte black paint afterwards. With this method i'd take your sweet time, give the metallic paint layer a good, long time to cure before applying the second.

After that, take some very fine sandpaper and just 'wear' down the edges as desired

[MorbidReign]

First off... make it rough plastic via about 100 grit sand paper, this helps the paint stick. For all the seams, my best tip would be to TIGHTLY roll some tape and push it in with something that will fit the size of said seam (tweezers or screwdriver, size permitting) as for the knobs and switches, a trick i picked up from my car painting days, if you cant tape it, saran wrap it. take a peice of saran wrap and place it over said knob and hold it to one side then stretch it out so that it tightly conforms, do this about 3 times.

Now that you are all taped and covered, Spray and pray.
As for aging it. If you used a high end spray paint, like the kind you would use to touch up a scratch on your car or fill over hockey puck dents in your garage door. Grab a soldering blow torch (those blue canister ones) and within one minute of applying the paint QUICKLY from about 6-8 inches away, go back and forth over the paint. This SHOULD cause air bubbles to form and takes no more than 1 minute. Let it dry over night.

Now with a 160+ grip sand paper re sand the paint, this will open the air bubbles, quick second coat, dry and remove tape and saran wrapping.
After it has completely dried grab a dry SOS pad and rub it down for about 5 minutes to remove anything thats going to fall off later.
At this stage, you will have the most authentic post apocalyptic rifle without ever having to survive an apocalypse.

If you notice chipping and want your paint to look like it had been through a nuking, clear nail polish the cracks as they appear. ONLY the cracks. This will hold the paint and give you an even older aging look

Hope this works out. If you run into any problems PM me and ill see what i can help you with.

[Statua]

Thanks. I'll use a mix of both your ideas.

[Rooster]

Another trick aside from drybrushing is to use a pencil lead on the edges. It gives you a "blued" look if you can get it right. It's an old movie prop trick.

[Statua]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Another trick aside from drybrushing is to use a pencil lead on the edges. It gives you a "blued" look if you can get it right. It's an old movie prop trick.

Tried that but it rubs off too easily.