The question: to paint or not to paint. . . pay more to paint?

[hollowedpoint]

Raw dog

 

[Bobbydigital]

This dawg likes it raw

 

[Tomasaurus]

How about you just do the edge so we don't have to deal with that or have it rust?

 

[tinman304]

Raw!

 

[Crack]

Hi guys,
K here. A recent question has been posed to us that makes us wonder how we should go about it. It's a problem that I'm not proud of, but really gets my knickers in a twist.

The problem is paint,
While we only guarantee ugly paint jobs as in our FAQ http://https://www.rangerabbit.com/pages/about-us this has come up once or twice a year as an issue. Especially as its our busy season and we are trying to get orders out the door sometimes the paint is done the day of shipping in order to keep up with orders. This includes our stands etc.

My mindset is that this target will be shot at and you (the customer) is buying the functional target or stand of which we are happy to replace or modify should an issue of functionality come up. most targets and stands will have the paint shot off of. We keep our prices low in some ways because we aren't investing in a premium of 'looks' department. Especially with Covid prices have gone wonky and we are trying to keep things affordable as best we can.

The reality is our options are:

1) Keep the occasional ugly paint job
2) Up our prices to have everything minty-standard-
3) Stop bothering with the fuss to begin with and sell the products raw dawg steel.
​

So poll time: What do you guys want from us?

Since you guys like free stuff I'll include a 6" gong freebie for the discourse randomly chosen to settle the 'issue' as it stands. (clairification: poll and comment to be entered into the draw)

Go raw

 

[JBD]

Raw if it is cheaper you are going to paint them anyway after a few hits.

 

[Bulriver]

I voted for ugly paint.

The paint on bases and post caps has held up much better than any rattle can job I could do.

 

[maifire]

As long as the targets do not come rusty or oily, raw is fine to me. Paint is waste. On top of the quality of it, someone will be unhappy with the colour you chose because it does not contrast their background. Let us paint them any way we want.

 

[270 totheend]

Raw dawg metal is fine. A pristine paint job on steel is only going to last up to the first outing and paint colour is a personal preference choice. The paint will be refreshed between outings and sometimes between long shot strings so the initial paint job is temporary at best and not important.

 

[Desjard]

I have a ton of half used spray cans, I don't need anyone to paint my plates cause how else will I get rid of these aerosol cans!? Raw.

 

[Blighty]

Keep it raw. If it reduces price it will get more into the hands of more people which is a good thing in this hobby. I would think most people have some old rattle cans they need to use up. Although I'm surprised people complain about the paint on something that's going to get lit up.

 

[redruns]

Bare steel with whatever mill scale it came with.

What about an option for someone to buy a $6 spray bomb and they could paint it themselves.

 

[quinn762x39]

Save yourself the time. I always spray mine with leftover spray paint when it needs it.

 

[RPgunguy]

I vote for raw personally.
From a business perspective, I would offer options at a premium;
- raw (ready for paint)
- raw targets, ugly painted stands/hangers = 1x$
- raw targets, premium painted stands/ hangers = 1x$$
- ugly painted targets & stands/ hangers = 2x$
- ugly painted targets, premium painted stands =1x$+1x$$
- premium painted targets & stands/ hangers, factoring in extra shipping material to protect the paint = 2x$$

Also, note that time premium would be required, so that you can batch the jobs together and be most efficient, as an example
- orders requiring ugly paint requires + 1 week
- orders requiring premium paint up to + 4 weeks (ship just once per month)
... of course timing would be dependant on your space and order volume.
My 2 cents

 

[krausb]

I voted to keep the status quo, but I'd be equally happy with buying them in the raw. Now that I think on it a bit more, I'd probably be more than happy with raw steel if the price is a bit cheaper.

 

[irish_gun_lover]

Same here, I say don't waste your effort on paint, it gets shot off anyways and spray paint is easy to come by and cheap if people want to do it themselves. keep up the good work!

 

[holdingfast]

Either 1 or 3! Give folks the option.

I would personally go with 3 so I can swear at the paint can when I am trying to apply it in 40 MPH winds...

 

[Redeyes]

First off, I appreciate you asking the customers. It's a smart decision to let the masses decide on what they want to pay for. I've never actually seen a minty target after the first shot (unless you missed). Keeping it raw and allowing the user to paint with whatever they want is probably the simplest and most cost effective way.

 

[Janeau]

Quock prime to protect a bit against rust..thats it.

 

[merchmarine]

I mean, I'm gonna paint it after I shot it to #### anyway, might as well be raw. Plus saves you guys the effort in eliminating a manufacturing process step or 2

Exactly! Gotta touch them up, so might as well buy a couple cans from Princess Auto or (higher-quality stuff when it goes on sale.)

Either 1 or 3! Give folks the option.

I would personally go with 3 so I can swear at the paint can when I am trying to apply it in 40 MPH winds...

Oh man, I've only got a 10" and a 4", and I've never hit them enough to touch it up on-site. Usually shoot a bunch, sharpie or mark existing shots if I need to. If it gets bad, flip the targets over to the other side and shoot that side. Take them home and do a few coats in the garage.