To Paint??, or Not To Paint??... Thai Is The Question

[Ronno6]

I acquired a basket case Croaman 2275W
Parts were all pretty grungy.
The stock needed to be cleaned and refinished, which I did a fairly decent job of.
Forearm wasn't too bad.....
Bluing on the metal looked good as well.
The receiver, however, is pretty beat up.
Loads of chips outa the paint.

The distinctive gold swooshes, unique to the 2275W and 2175W are somewhat faded, but still visible.
Should i strip and re-paint? That would eliminate the decorative pattern..
Or, leave it be??

[Goose]

I tend to leave the original finish alone because it's "history".

But that one's a bit rougher than I like, so I'd go for it.  You can probably find nail polish to renew the gold swirls with. 

Luck,

J~

[JayDee24ca]

You may find that if you refinish the receiver, the stock and barrel may appear shabby too. However I agree with the previous post, that the receiver is fairly worn. Maybe consider simply touching it up with a black indelible felt pen. Sounds silly I know, but it may make quite a difference.

[Back_Roads]

 I leave mine all beat up looking. Let the next owner decide.

[lefteyeshot]

 Paint it. I have spray painted 4 or 5 guns flat black that had a lot of dings, rust or pitting, old B3's, B4's, TS45 and such. A few old Crosman break barrels, last one a Remington Summit. Good gun, just rusted up. I'd take off the stock and paint the hole thing. It'll look power coated, kinda'. Stick Q-tips in the end of the bore and threaded screw hole. Don't forget the screw heads, trigger guard and butt plate if it has one.

[Air Head]

Paint!

[JPSAXNC]

If the appearance is really an issue, re-paint it. A uniform finish looks better than a touched up one.

[schwinnbikebob]

I would also paint it. take good pics of the gold markings.  A gold sharpie is much easier than trying to brush the graphics.  Then hit it with matte clear.