I bought a Ruger American Ranch a few weeks ago and decided to try my hand at hydro dipping the stock. I ordered the kit from Liquid Concepts and to save on a rant, it didn't go well.

The look I was going for was copperhead and the film I bought was a compromise. So, after the failure, I decided to try something else.

I watched a few videos and found this link to help guide me.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/My_copperhead_pattern_/19-398736/

I failed the first time at this by not using an adhesion promoter & just spraying 2X straight on the stock. Tape peeled everything off and I was ready to fight at this point.

Stripped everything to stock and got my new materials ready. Started with a base adhesion promoter and went as follows:

Paint tan
Draw pattern
Tape it off
Paint tan spots with adhesion promoter
Paint primed spots metallic copper
Cover copper areas with mesh
One streak tan in middle
Cinnamon stripes in V pattern
Edges sprayed with crushed bronze metallic
Untape
Cover and tape copper spots
Cover tan with mesh
Spray light cinnamon strip on bottom the length of the stock
Repeat with copper in middle and bronze on top
Untape
Touch up where necessary
Trace copper outline with brown sharpie


To be done:
Clear coat
Reassembly

Not perfect and I'd use bigger scales next time, but I thought it turned out pretty cool.

Neat!

MouthBQ98 said:

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Neat!

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OF COURSE you would like it.

Clear coat drying

That's pretty dang cool!

Rattlecan!

dont set it on the ground somebody will shoot it

Obviously a Diamondback water gun

Very nice!!!

That's actually way better than I expected it to look. As the proud owner of 2 Ruger Americans with the boring green stock, let me send one your way to see if you can make a twin.

We get 37 full size progress pics that all look pretty much the same, and only one of the final product that doesn't even show the whole stock???

OleRock02 said:

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We get 37 full size progress pics that all look pretty much the same, and only one of the final product that doesn't even show the whole stock???

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Chill baby.

I thought this was going to be about a mud motor.

Looks great!

It does kinda trigger something in the brain that makes me want to chop it up with a shovel.

CS78 said:

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I thought this was going to be about a mud motor.

Looks great!

It does kinda trigger something in the brain that makes me want to chop it up with a shovel.

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Thanks!

Clear coat finished. Will reassemble this evening when done with kids sports.

Wodanaz said:

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OleRock02 said:

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We get 37 full size progress pics that all look pretty much the same, and only one of the final product that doesn't even show the whole stock???

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Chill baby.

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You have a rattle can to do list!?!?

1) beer
2) spray
3) dry
4) shoot

You know that ain't how Gucci goes.

I'm usually not big on things like this....but I"m digging this, well done man, well done!

schmellba99 said:

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I'm usually not big on things like this....but I"m digging this, well done man, well done!

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My thoughts exactly. This looks awesome, your work and attention to the details paid off.

Badass! Looks great

Bad ass! How much to do one for me?

I kinda love it. Thanks for the nice comments, y'all. I'd do another one if somebody bought the materials.

Oh, and btw these GPO scopes are CRISP!!

You missed a spot on top.

Next step: side by side comparison with a real copperhead

The bronze coating on the metal components takes it up another notch. Well done!

WOW, great job OP! I love it with that bronze barrel. That is seriously good work. Thanks for sharing!!!

That's actually pretty awesome!

That's sick. Good work !

Awesome work!

Sidebar: what is up with the neighbors foundation?

Looks really cool. I abhor painting anything.
That said, I've got a 308 stock I'd like you to do. Stock only. No metal. I'll pay you for your time and materials. Or we can barter on any smithing you need.

Just now seeing this, linked from another thread. That really looks amazing Wodanaz! Very creative use of the mesh to give the snakeskin look! Bravo sir!

Wrong, that's a rat snake gun.

I'm halfway tempted to go buy a beater Win 70 just to have you do this for me. Not kidding.

Right, I have a little howa mini action that needs some love