Rifle Scopes does paint on your scope kill the resale?

AtownBcat

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Minuteman
Feb 19, 2009
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Aledo, Texas
I guys, Im thinking about having 30calsniper do a custom paint job on my rig but I couldnt help but think that painting the scope might really narrow down the interested parties if I needed to sell it. Its a NF NSX 5.5-22...What do you think?
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Unless you are going to sell the scope with the rifle as a set then yes I think it will hurt the resale. But what's to say can't strip it down before you sell it?
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Im still learning about the process...I guess I was under the assumption that once cerakote or any other paint that was used for this application, was on...it was on.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Two identical scopes (both used or both new) are available for sale; one painted and one is not. Unless the painted one just so happens to be the pattern I may be planning on painting my gun then yes, it affects the equation. Given the same price I would vote for the unpainted one. Other option I believe is what you are referring to, the painted one would like need to be discounted in order to sell vs. the "normal" scope.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Yes it will lower the price and make it harder to sell. Used scopes with a fresh coat of krylon raise a lot of questions about its true condition. Questions that can only be answered by removing the paint. Many people won't even respond to your ad even if it's the model they are looking for.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

yes.

If you plan on selling it later, make sure it's a coating you can strip.

I used my SN-3 for about a month before I spray-bombed it. Granted, krylon is a quickly removed finish, but I still didn't want to go to the trouble if it didn't work for me.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

I would opt for one color like a coyote brown or od green if you cerekote it. If you have a pattern I would opt for the krylon. One colors arent so bad for resale but multi-color could provoke someones interest.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Most of the time we won't even take a painted scope on trade. In the cases that we have, it took a long time to move them and we either lost money or broke even.

People are willing to buy a painted scope IF the price is substantialy lower than the same scope UNpainted. From our experience the painted scope has to be priced at least 25% less. It does not seem to matter whether it was done with a rattle can or by Lauer Custom Weaponry either.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AtownBcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you think? </div></div>

One way to help your cause would be to hose it down with a new base coat. This looses the original pattern, but saves the time of stripping. Either way, you are going to take a hit. Put yourself in the buyer's place. Would it matter to you?
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

it will only affect the price if you have ring marks on it, but if you take a picture of the scope in front of a pool it will drastically raise the price
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SWFA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Most of the time we won't even take a painted scope on trade. In the cases that we have, it took a long time to move them and we either lost money or broke even.

People are willing to buy a painted scope IF the price is substantialy lower than the same scope UNpainted. From our experience the painted scope has to be priced at least 25% less. It does not seem to matter whether it was done with a rattle can or by Lauer Custom Weaponry either. </div></div> Rattle can will come off, Lauer (Duracoat) will have to be blasted off and it still won't be like before and need repainted. I would use a rattle can if it was an issue.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

IMHO if you think you might ever sell the gun or the scope do not paint it. I would not buy a gun or scope that was painted especially if it was painted with spray paint.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Painted scopes are tacticool, guess thats the reason I've never painted one
wink.gif
. Really, why paint one? If the shit hits the fan, krylon it as you go out the door with it. If you need camo for hunting, tape it so it can be removed easily and glue wiped off with alchohol when the hunts over. When looking at buying a scope, if its been painted, it would have to be discounted significantly for me to concider it.

okie
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

I've stripped krylon with good result. If you do a little extra masking around the areas the will be hard to strip later (seams where you don't want to get solvent, near the lenses), it could make things easier.
CW
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

From what what I have seen in the classifieds, the paint job (and im talking top of the line cerakote or the like) doesnt seem to have a negative effect on the price of the rifle, but as some have mentioned does seem to effect optics. If I decide to have it done i would go with the toughest stuff to get off that I could find. I mean which would be worse a scope that looks good for the long haul or one that some paint comes off every time you bump it. I guess if you ever think you would sell it either be prepaired to take the hit or just dont paint it at all.

Will krylon stand up to day to day use?
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Painting a scope is functional, but most like shiney stuff, even if they are buying used. A non painted scope will appeal to a wider variety of shooters, vs just the practical/tactical crowd. I don't paint any metal work or scopes. They make camo tapes that suit just fine and are easy to remove when done.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Painting a scope is functional, but most like shiney stuff, even if they are buying used. A non painted scope will appeal to a wider variety of shooters, vs just the practical/tactical crowd. I don't paint any metal work or scopes. They make camo tapes that suit just fine and are easy to remove when done. </div></div>

How is painting a scope functional? I can see if you are a serious coyote hunter or an actual department or military sniper but if you are then you are not worried about re-sale because it's not your personal equipement to sell.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COfox</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just re-paint it black before you sell it!</div></div>

that fact needs to be disclosed to the buyer
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ROFLMAO

100_4273.jpg


My stuff looks new when it comes out of the box. It usually doesn't survive that way for long. </div></div>

Love pics of working rifles! each and every scratch, ding and dent adds character!
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reelman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Painting a scope is functional, but most like shiney stuff, even if they are buying used. A non painted scope will appeal to a wider variety of shooters, vs just the practical/tactical crowd. I don't paint any metal work or scopes. They make camo tapes that suit just fine and are easy to remove when done. </div></div>

How is painting a scope functional? I can see if you are a serious coyote hunter or an actual department or military sniper but if you are then you are not worried about re-sale because it's not your personal equipement to sell. </div></div>

How is it functional? Have you ever hunted dogs or tried to sneak on something? Wanna guess what color sticks out the most in a natural setting besides skin tone? That matte black that everyone loves so much.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reelman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Painting a scope is functional, but most like shiney stuff, even if they are buying used. A non painted scope will appeal to a wider variety of shooters, vs just the practical/tactical crowd. I don't paint any metal work or scopes. They make camo tapes that suit just fine and are easy to remove when done. </div></div>

How is painting a scope functional? I can see if you are a serious coyote hunter or an actual department or military sniper but if you are then you are not worried about re-sale because it's not your personal equipement to sell. </div></div>

How is it functional? Have you ever hunted dogs or tried to sneak on something? Wanna guess what color sticks out the most in a natural setting besides skin tone? That matte black that everyone loves so much. </div></div>

That's why I said unless they were a coyote hunter or a sniper. I bet that 90%+ of the painted rifles on here are used for nothing more than shooting paper and steel and I'ver never seen one of those targets move because your gun is black. It might be tacticool but it doens't improve the function of what the guns are actually used for.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AtownBcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Haha im not sure what a pool has to do with anything.... </div></div>

You're new here right?

As for the paint, I can go either way. I paint steel to protect it is its not finished. Scope's not so much-because I shoot on a on-way range. I do have a scope that's painted, and I'm sure I couldn't get as much for it as if it weren't.

But then again, this forum has killed the resale on anything that's mot mil/mil anyway........
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SWFA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Most of the time we won't even take a painted scope on trade. In the cases that we have, it took a long time to move them and we either lost money or broke even.

People are willing to buy a painted scope IF the price is substantialy lower than the same scope UNpainted. From our experience the painted scope has to be priced at least 25% less. It does not seem to matter whether it was done with a rattle can or by Lauer Custom Weaponry either. </div></div> Rattle can will come off, Lauer (Duracoat) will have to be blasted off and it still won't be like before and need repainted. I would use a rattle can if it was an issue. </div></div>

You can remove duracoat easily with acetone. Once it soaks into it, it will crinkle and you can pretty much peel it off with your fingernail.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AtownBcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Haha im not sure what a pool has to do with anything.... </div></div>

You're new here right?

As for the paint, I can go either way. I paint steel to protect it is its not finished. Scope's not so much-because I shoot on a on-way range. I do have a scope that's painted, and I'm sure I couldn't get as much for it as if it weren't.

<span style="font-weight: bold">But then again, this forum has killed the resale on anything that's mot mil/mil anyway........ </span></div></div>

Truer words have never been spoken (or typed for that matter)
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

I dont know, I was recently looking for a painted scope intentionally with the knowledge that It would be getting cerakote prior to use.
It did not save me 25 percent but It made me feel alot better about cerakote application. It seems easier for me to paint one that has already been painted than it is to sully a new one. Thats just me.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reelman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reelman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Painting a scope is functional, but most like shiney stuff, even if they are buying used. A non painted scope will appeal to a wider variety of shooters, vs just the practical/tactical crowd. I don't paint any metal work or scopes. They make camo tapes that suit just fine and are easy to remove when done. </div></div>

How is painting a scope functional? I can see if you are a serious coyote hunter or an actual department or military sniper but if you are then you are not worried about re-sale because it's not your personal equipement to sell. </div></div>

How is it functional? Have you ever hunted dogs or tried to sneak on something? Wanna guess what color sticks out the most in a natural setting besides skin tone? That matte black that everyone loves so much. </div></div>

That's why I said unless they were a coyote hunter or a sniper. I bet that 90%+ of the painted rifles on here are used for nothing more than shooting paper and steel and I'ver never seen one of those targets move because your gun is black. It might be tacticool but it doens't improve the function of what the guns are actually used for. </div></div>

Actual functionality no, I agree 100%, and yes, I also agree most painted guns and scopes are "tacticool" I spend a ton of time trying to hide from critters until there to close to get out, this experience has taught me two things, cover your face and blend in everything you can, an all black rifle or shotgun sticks out like a mofo, though a good set and good hide can get around most of that.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tigerbikes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">100%.

And those of us who don't care appreciate the discount.</div></div>






verily so...............
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

I purchased a brand new TRG & Nightforce, both expensive, first thing I did was paint the whole setup!

Main reason - existing colors didn't ring my bell & makes the rig unique!

Both would go as a unit if sold not that I am.....
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

I for one like a kick ass camo paint bomb job, krylon or other. It would have little to do with me buying something or what price I paid for it, but that's just me, not everyone else.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AtownBcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Haha im not sure what a pool has to do with anything.... </div></div>

Stick around you will see.
While good looks have little to do with function or not,look at it like this when selling, we are all here to look at gun porn and let's face it, no one wants to look at fat chicks with acne even if they are demons in the sack.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

If you ever think you will sell it one day and expect a great resale price on it then don't paint it. If you want to hunt or build a camoed rifle and are not concerned with resale....Paint It !! and enjoy it!!!!!! If you are going to paint it, use the above post ideas about using a paint that is removable... Just my opinion......SmokeRolls
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

If you can see yourself holding onto the scope, paint the crap out of it.... if it's a feeler purchase, something you're still trying out then maybe hold off.

I just sold a painted MK4 for $1300 to a good made, but he's army Recon so he doesn't really count. Painting things, especially messy paint will reduce the value. Paint it with something you can strip and apply tape in all the correct areas so doing so will be much easier if you make the choice to offload.

My ST10 has about two weeks left before it gets sprayed.
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

I you drive a new car....It's worth less
Shoot your new gun...It's worth less
wear your new watch...It's worth less
Take you new jet ski out....It will be worth less
My point is...You will take a hit on everything you buy new if you try to sell it...You'll take a bigger hit if you gotta sell it fast!...Enjoy the shit you got...That is why you buy'em...

Dont worry bout resale until you git to sell it....Check this out!!!
16950_1183258395663_1654335069_532963_5247783_n.jpg
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

Im new. Still in the process of building and purchasing my guns and have to say that as cool as the paint jobs are on the above guns and on the rest of this site, I just dont know if I'll be able to paint them (expecially when I start to get into the U.S. Optics and S&B scopes... Then again, like a post above said, "Its just money". I say if you can afford the NF, USO, S&B scopes then I wouldnt worry about painting them. When you get around to painting them though, you should post a few pictures.

Cheers,
Mkcoastie
 
Re: does paint on your scope kill the resale?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SWFA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Most of the time we won't even take a painted scope on trade. In the cases that we have, it took a long time to move them and we either lost money or broke even.

People are willing to buy a painted scope IF the price is substantialy lower than the same scope UNpainted. From our experience the painted scope has to be priced at least 25% less. It does not seem to matter whether it was done with a rattle can or by Lauer Custom Weaponry either. </div></div>

Pretty much says it all, right there.