Some enthusiasts prefer other spray paint brands, or vinyl dye sprays, which are available at auto parts stores.
If you’re painting outside, be sure to work in a shaded area. If you paint in direct sunlight, the paint might flash dry instead of drying properly.
Take a photo of the internal layout of the gun before removing any pieces, so you’ll have a guide for reassembly later. You can spray paint without disassembling if desired, but it’s easier to get complete coverage if you take the toy apart.
Wipe away dust and debris with a tack cloth before proceeding. Or, wash the toy again with a mild soap and water, and rinse and dry it thoroughly. Whether or not you sand, be sure to wash every piece you intend to paint in order to remove mold-release chemicals that can interfere with paint adhesion.
You can also tape over the black base coat you’ll apply next, after it has dried thoroughly, if you want certain sections to remain black. If you find that your finish paint color is leaking under your painter’s tape, applying another layer of your base coat over the tape before applying your accent color can help. Look online for examples of high-quality Nerf gun paint jobs. You may be inspired![8] X Research source
Start and end your spray pointed away from your target to avoid splatters.
Refer to the information on your paint’s can for re-coat times.
If you mix types/brands of paint, test their compatibility on some scrap plastic or a part of the gun that won’t show once assembled.
Be extra cautious painting parts that see a lot of movement, like triggers and slides. Some of them move in places with very little room to maneuver, and even the increased thickness added by coats of paint can affect performance.
Let the clear coat dry thoroughly before reassembling the toy.
Refer to the photos you should have taken during disassembly if you need a refresher.
