Paint Ammo Box Before Placing Cache?

[+ConRed]

I bought my first ammo box to place as a cache recently. It has those military markings on it and I know I should get those off before I place my cache, but I'm not sure which direction I should approach that from.

 

Should spray paint off just those marking areas of the box, should I spray paint (and cammo) the whole box, or should just packing tape the "Official Geocaching.com" paper over them?

 

Thanks for the help, I want to solve all my problems before they become problems!

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Personally, I think you should paint, then put the cache tag on.

Reason being, most tapes (packing tape included) don't particularly like the out-of-doors for a very long time.

 

EDIT: Grammar

Edited May 13, 2010 by Gitchee-Gummee

[+Isonzo Karst]

A number of solvents will remove those markings. I use lacquer thinner. If you have any around the house you might give them a try. I hear lighter fluid works - it's not something I have so I've never used it.

 

I tend to hit cans with flat black paint. Nothing fancy, just some diagonal lines to break up the hard edge outline of the can.

 

I've seen some beautifully painted cans, done in the correct colors for their resting places. rnrgrl in SE FL did some cans in rather strong oranges, yellows and rust. Sitting on your patio, they'd hardly look camo'ed.

In situ, among the grasses and fallen leaves, very effective.

[+ConRed]

Thanks! We live in the evergreen state (WA) so I'll probably keep it green, but that's a good thing to keep in mind.

[hoosier guy]

Some of the best I have seen are those that have been cammo'ed with green, brown & black spray paint. If you just leave it the same solid green sometimes it will really stick out like a sore thumb.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Need to add: Moreso than just painting it as camouflage, the absolute best thing is to paint it with something that has no glare. Most types of paints designed for 'household' use, will present a glare, or shine.

 

Krylon® makes camouflage paints that provide ZERO glare or reflection. Assorted earth colors. Patterns and different colors here and there of course, help to break up the box outline.

[+Prime Suspect]

I bought my first ammo box to place as a cache recently. It has those military markings on it and I know I should get those off before I place my cache, but I'm not sure which direction I should approach that from.

 

Should spray paint off just those marking areas of the box, should I spray paint (and cammo) the whole box, or should just packing tape the "Official Geocaching.com" paper over them?

 

Thanks for the help, I want to solve all my problems before they become problems!

I just put dark (non-silver) duct tape over it.

[+Labrador Wild Man]

We need Ammo Can in Labrador Canada lots of Black bears

 

I clean all the markings off then three diffrent paint

 

comes out like this

 

- the Bullet hole

 

 

Placed miles from know where and a .22 found it

 

 

Labrador wild man

[jholly]

We need Ammo Can in Labrador Canada lots of Black bears

I clean all the markings off then three diffrent paint

- the Bullet hole

Placed miles from know where and a .22 found

Labrador wild man

 

Those are some mean bears you got up there, packing heat and all. Boy I think I'll stay out of those woods.

[sabrefan7]

I spray paint my ammo cans with red (rust) primer paint then write geocache on the lid with a yellow paint pen

[+brslk]

Nail polish remover will remove the markings.

[+lefthanded99]

For my ammo-can cache, I removed the markings using wet-and-dry paper (the stuff they use to prepare auto paintwork), then painted it matt black. I did think about painting it camo, but the place where it is hidden is quite dark so the matt black hides it well.

[+Ambrosia]

There's usually a bit of rust here and there that I need to sand down by hand, so I've always just used the sanding paper to lightly sand off the markings. They come off quickly and easily. I have a bit of an aversion to solvents, etc.

 

After that, I wash the ammo can.

 

I then use a flat green Krylon rust spray paint, like mentioned earlier. Sometimes I'll alternate it with another color, like a flat black for rust.

 

It's worked for me so far.

Edited May 14, 2010 by Ambrosia

[+ShowStop]

I use Krylon Olive Drab camo paint to completely repaint the ammo can. Then, depending on where I place it, I add other paint shades and textures. Finally I add a Geocaching stencil to the side usually in tan color.

 

 

http://www.sissy-n-cr.com/store2.shtml

[sabrefan7]

I use Krylon Olive Drab camo paint to completely repaint the ammo can. Then, depending on where I place it, I add other paint shades and textures. Finally I add a Geocaching stencil to the side usually in tan color.

 

 

http://www.sissy-n-cr.com/store2.shtml

 

Those are like "official government issue" caches

[+popokiiti]

Popoki Nui has camouflaged our containers in all the above ways, with the addition of using leaf fronds to get a bit of "texture" to the appearance.

I love the idea of having a stencil instead of a cache sticker.

[+simpjkee]

I just paint the whole ammo can with a brown or tan to match the desert. I don't worry about removing the army markings beforehand.