Repainting gongs - what do you use ?

[J0HN_R1]

After repainting my new custom RangeRabbit.com 16" gong w/ 3" center 'flapper' twice now, and trying to keep costs down while doing the 3rd repaint today, I've found what I think is really good stuff. ~ $8/can

It has great coverage (painted the gong once, and the *brackets for the stand twice - once from bare metal) and does a good job of hiding previous splash marks. I figure 2 full repaints per can.

I've also experimented with using brush-on white primer as a base-coat before the spray-bomb, which actually helped but is an added cost and time consuming.

The last can was some "ArmourCoat" no-name stuff ($5.50/can) from Canadian Tire, used the whole can and I could still see the dark spots thru the paint where prior splashes were. Junk...

I frequently come across half-empty or even full cans of line-marking paint at work (which I'll gladly use since it's free), but haven't been so lucky lately.

But I'm still curious...

What do other people use, specific brand & type, to repaint their steel gongs ?


* I have 2 more sets of corner-brackets & crossbars with quick-link chain attachments for sale, but the angles are slightly different on the new ones vs. the one pictured in my backyard. Will be posted shortly in the B&S.

[H380]

Now that is a gong .. beauty nicely done .Mine isnt near as fancy , I just touch it up before I shoot with a little orange rust paint .

[mgvande]

This is a gong show!

[vtecngsr]

Do you have any pictures of the backside of the gong?


Ps like the stand looks mostly the same as my own set up


V

[Trochu]

Don't have a gong so....

Reason for the hole in the middle? Something to aim at, so if you "hit" it you miss the gong? Just paper?

[J0HN_R1]

Originally Posted by H380

Now that is a gong..! Beauty, nicely done . Mine isnt near as fancy, I just touch it up before I shoot with a little orange rust paint .

Credit for the gong goes to Glenn Alexon @ RangeRabbit dot com... I just painted it.



He custom made it for me, and at an unbelievable price. AND, he delivered it to my door personally. I can't say enough.

Originally Posted by mgvande

This is a gong show!

Ba-dump... Tssshhh !

Originally Posted by vtecngsr

Do you have any pictures of the backside of the gong?

P.S. - I like the stand, looks mostly the same as my own set up.


V

Originally Posted by Trochu

Don't have a gong so....

Reason for the hole in the middle? Something to aim at, so if you "hit" it you miss the gong? Just paper?

It's a small 4" round AR500 plate sitting behind the 3" hole, attached with laser-cut fire hose. So when you hit it, it "jumps" so the spotter can easily identify a perfect hit.

It's pretty slick, I think. He (RangeRabbit) calls it his "heart attack" feature...


Thanks for the compliments. I did make the stand myself though !

[Attilathecanuk]

That's a super cool gong for sure! I use the cheapest spray paint I can find, usually white cause that's cheap and plentiful. Our range gongs/duelling tree get shot ALOT so no matter what paint is used, it dont last long.

[fps plus]

What kind of BBQ sauce do you use for a gong that size

[Puma]

Must be a long ways from the house to the garage to have a gong set up.

Nice rig.

[Newview01]

How far away are you shooting? I would think that the flapper is a little small? Or not? Can you still hear the hit if you hit the flapper?

[Coyotebutcher]

Originally Posted by Trochu

Don't have a gong so....

Reason for the hole in the middle? Something to aim at, so if you "hit" it you miss the gong? Just paper?

Oh boy yes its paper.. the whole thing is made of paper. And tape too. Then painted over. Different colours so it's camouflaged in the trees if your colour blind

[densa44]

I hate to give what I use. The cheapest outdated paint I can find in white, black and orange. I use the round bottom of the orange can to shield the some what round orange circle in the middle while I cover my many mistakes and previous hits with white in summer, black in winter.

Mine don't have a center hole.

[Smokinyotes]

White tremclad in the summer orange in the winter. After about 30 layers of paint we use a flapper or wire wheel on a grinder and take it back down to bare metal.

[J0HN_R1]

Originally Posted by Newview01

How far away are you shooting? I would think that the flapper is a little small? Or not? Can you still hear the hit if you hit the flapper?

So far I/we have only been able to place it 200m / 250m / 375m. At those distances, the sound is more like a "smack" from the flapper.

With any luck, I'll get it out past 500m this week... I've only shot it so far with .223rem & .22LR, but will have my .243 back together soon and will have some help from a couple friends with .308's.

And at any distance past 275m, hitting that circle is better than MOA accuracy. If I can consistanly hit it @ 550m, that's half-MOA accuracy. I'll be happy just hitting the plate @ 900-1000m !



And yeah, I'll hit it with some 40grit on the 7" grinder/polisher when the plate gets too built up with paint...

[J0HN_R1]

Originally Posted by Coyotebutcher

Oh boy...

Yes its paper.. The whole thing is made of paper. And tape too. Then painted over. Different colours so it's camouflaged in the trees if your colour blind.

This made me

[Alberta Bigbore]

I need this GONG in my life!!


Brother in law is making me a bunch this spring. But just 5" 7 " 9" and 12". Nothing as fancy as that though lol

[6MT]

I use the cheapest, and I mean cheapest, paint available. When I go to Edson that has a lot of steel to paint, I use a gallon can and a roller. The cheaper the paint, the better it marks hits. I mostly use white, although some ranges like Edson don't allow white.

[J0HN_R1]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

I need this GONG in my life!!


Brother in law is making me a bunch this spring. But just 5", 7", 9" and 12". Nothing as fancy as that though lol

RangeRabbit.com

He's local, here in Calgary.

[lyallpeder]

I go to an Edmonton eco station and get whatever paint I can get for free.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by J0HN_R1

RangeRabbit.com

He's local, here in Calgary.

Thanks!

[r-von]

i just use that fluorescent orange marker paint that they use for marking utility lines and such.

[vtecngsr]

@ John R1 Looks like your cross piece is squar tubing?

If so I would suggest going to rebar it's far more resilient to bullet strikes, I often shoot with a couple of gents who from time to time manage to have bullet strikes on the cross bar even legs, I keep a large file with me and when it happens a couple passes with that file and no more sharp edges to cut fingers or vehicle seats/carpet.

V

[bb356]

Cool unit !!!

[Pokey50BMG]

We use whatever metal rust paint or primer that is available.

[mgvande]

What are the rules of engagement on that gong? Does it have to fire at you first?

[J0HN_R1]

Originally Posted by mgvande

What are the rules of engagement on that gong? Does it have to fire at you first?

He's an armed haji... Fire at will.

[700-223]

Originally Posted by Puma

Must be a long ways from the house to the garage to have a gong set up.

Nice rig.

Yup. I was thinking it must make a hell of a mess out of his truck when he misses the gong...

[700-223]

Originally Posted by lyallpeder

I go to an Edmonton eco station and get whatever paint I can get for free.

Now that's a good idea...

[J0HN_R1]

Originally Posted by 700-223

Yup. I was thinking it must make a hell of a mess out of his truck when he misses the gong...

I was gonna tell him I use it as my backstop, incase the neighbors kids are in the alley playing...

[Pokey50BMG]

Originally Posted by mgvande

What are the rules of engagement on that gong? Does it have to fire at you first?

Open Season. Shooting steel is a lot nicer than paper especially when you are fire forming.

Those shots are from 650 yards with a 12-14 mph wind fire forming 243 Ackley.