Steampunked Nerf Gun

Transform the Nerf N-Strike Night Finder into a steampunk gun with paint and a few buttons!

Step 1: Paint the gun.

I first cleaned the gun with rubbing alcohol to remove any grease, dust, dirt, etc. Then I used a variety of sizes of paintbrushes (just the normal artist's brushes from Michael's or Aaron Brothers that come in a pack of five) to paint the gun. Use the fine tip brush to get the edges and little details like the nails. Work slowly.

I used the cheap acrylic craft paints from Michael's (Americana or Folk Art) that you can find on sale for $0.39 each. For the main body of the gun (yellow and gray parts on the original) I used the Raw Sienna color. The recessed and raised details are Pure Gold. You will probably need two coats to get the right coverage. For the "metal" pieces I painted them Slate Grey first, then used my fingers to rub/buff on some Metallic Silver to get the right look.

Comments

[armyguy11011]

ello chaps im 16 and im in the process of modding/steampunking my recon cs-6 now dont get too excited the only things ive done to it so far is taking out the trigger lock and mag lock and hot glued a twist dead bolt and a hindge to my gun but anywho my question is how can i paint my gun too look steam punked very cheaply oh also just fyi if you want a really grimy look ive found that using old somewhat melted electrical tape makes it loook really grimy if you put it on then take it off next day careful though kinda sticky

[thomasthetankengine]

Question: You didn't sand it? Maybe I just missed that, unless you used special paints?

[PurpleKat]

My husband paints miniatures, and he's always painting right onto plastic. He might have a special primer that he uses to make the paints stick, but he's never had any problems with them coming off. Acrylic paint is basically tiny bits of plastic suspended in paint-stuff, so you'd figure that it would handle being put onto plastic pretty well.

[rc26204]

The nerf gun looks great. But the only thing I disapprove is the painting over the orage barrel. I think it is required by law that dart guns must have a orange tip if you bring them outside the home.

[Cation Designs]

I had no idea that that law existed! I've brought this to large events before and nobody ever said anything, nor did I see any modded Nerf guns that had retained their orange tips. I think this is pretty obviously not a real gun, but I guess that can be disputed. Can you link me to a site explaining this law?

[rc26204]

i don't know if that is the exact law. But we have a nerf gun event at my collage and i attended a safty meeting where a police officer explained that the tip can't be painted. I think this has more to do with police knowing that what your carrying is not a real gun. I see the reasoning with that when it comes to campus safety

[Cation Designs]

Interesting...at the events I went to, they have a weapons check and as long as something is peace-tied, or has no ammunition, or is obviously a toy, it's allowed. Maybe rules vary by location?

[rc26204]

I think that may be the case. I just know it is against the law in my location.

[ryannui]

what would the "craft paint" be.

[Cation Designs]

If you go back and look at Step 1, I mentioned that I used the "Folk Art" or "Americana" brand of acrylic craft paint from Michael's or Joann's, both brands work just fine for this purpose. Just water down the generic black color for the dirt look.

[RavenHawke]

just an fyi, i am working on the nerf gun thing too and 60 grit sand paper will take off any unwanted logos (nerf) or lettering (do not point in anyone's eyes) lol, and 320 grit smooths it out again. :) I'm at the painting stage but i havent had time!! arg.

[RavenHawke]

and these are not specific. i basically bought very rough sand paper, and very fine sand paper. it doesnt matter exactly what number...

[TheHobbit81]

Very nice. A good guide.

I have some folk-art paint and some model paint, the folk-art would be good for the wood and/o leather parts and the model paint would be good for the metallic parts.

I think that you have provided enough motivation for me to start my own projects, thanks, 6 stars.

[notalis1970]

It's NOT boring!!! It's cool as hell...I have the same gun and now I want to do it, too.
Yes, this nerdy 41 year old mom of two went out and armed herself with Nerf guns and ammo, just for hell of it. I shoot my kids and dog, and husband occasionally. I'll paint it so it looks more serious ;-)

[Cation Designs]

Haha thanks! I hope one day I can be as awesome of a mom! Right now the Nerf gun is just for playing with the cat :)

[notalis1970]

Your cat looks pissed off :-) BTW, no one calls me cool. Kids call me NERD and husband calls me IMMATURE LOL

[Cation Designs]

My cat was not pleased with the fact that I was paying attention to this plastic thing and not to him ;) My husband definitely does his fair share of sighing when he sees most of projects!

[Kiteman]

I love this, but when is somebody going to give a similar make-over to the darts?

[Cation Designs]

I actually just colored the orange on mine with black Sharpie. I was going to paint the suction cup originally, too, but was concerned it would affect its suctioning abilities.

[black hole]

Very well done. So much cooler that ugly yellow.