Painting/camouflaging Cache Boxes

January 29, 2005

Having a chat about Lock n Lock's in the Canadian forum and someone suggested a topic on painting and camouflaging would be usefull to many.

Please post your tips/techniques and past experiences with what worked and didn't work when painting plastics, rubber, metal, etc.

-----------------

For plastic it is important to sand (rough up) the smooth surfaces of the plastic before painting it so the paint will stick better.

I have been using three colours to paint my boxes, a dark green, rust and black colour (in that order) sprayed in various areas so they melt together and provide a very nice camouflaged box.

Edit: Added Image

Edited January 29, 2005 by mrking

38.2k · January 29, 2005

I use black and brown on my ammo boxes and if they are to be hidden among rocks, I add grey. Plastic containers I usually wrap in camo tape. I've also used a textured stone finish paint for ammo boxes when hiding among rocks.

Here are two of my normal ammo box patterns. The one in the front was done using an oak leaf as a template. The one in the back is just random squirts of paint. The Lock 'n Lock has camo duct tape.

Edited January 29, 2005 by briansnat

January 29, 2005

Man, I love that camo duct tape!! Where did you find that?

38.2k · January 29, 2005

Man, I love that camo duct tape!! Where did you find that?

Walmart in the hunting section.

Here is a decon box and ammo box with the Fleckstone paint:

January 30, 2005

Having a chat about Lock n Lock's in the Canadian forum and someone suggested a topic on painting and camouflaging would be usefull to many.

Please post your tips/techniques and past experiences with what worked and didn't work when painting plastics, rubber, metal, etc.

-----------------

For plastic it is important to sand (rough up) the smooth surfaces of the plastic before painting it so the paint will stick better.

I have been using three colours to paint my boxes, a dark green, rust and black colour (in that order) sprayed in various areas so they melt together and provide a very nice camouflaged box.

Edit: Added Image

I just bought some of these Lock 'n' locks! what grade sandpaper do you use to rough them or does it matter?

January 30, 2005

Having a chat about Lock n Lock's in the Canadian forum and someone suggested a topic on painting and camouflaging would be usefull to many.

Please post your tips/techniques and past experiences with what worked and didn't work when painting plastics, rubber, metal, etc.

I use a spray-on plastic primer to prep my lock n locks that I got at Home Depot -- comes in a can like spray paint. It adheres really well, dries fast, and saves trying to sand all the little nooks and crannies on the lock n locks.

HC

January 30, 2005

...what grade sandpaper do you use to rough them or does it matter?

I use about 100 or 120 grit, depending what I grab out of the garage. You don't have to worry about it too much just as long as you take off the "gloss" on the surface.

January 30, 2005

Heres a Ammobox I camoed - made with about 1 quart of autobody filler and 1 shoefull of sand

I got the body filler at the autoparts store and the sand is from the area I want to hide it!

just mix up ALITTLE of the bondo and smear it on the container (thick or thin)

the bondo will dry fast (a few minutes) mix up more and put it on repeat untill you get the shape your looking for. on the last coat of bondo pour the sand on and push the sand in before the bondo hardens. YES it is messy rubber gloves and a place to do this outside would be good) and dont bondo it shut its gotta open too!

Although Camo tape is very hard to find on a 35mm film can!

and Way easier to do!

THIS BOX WAS FUN TO MAKE!

Edited January 30, 2005 by rustybeercan

January 30, 2005

Well, that makes two other people that have found the tape in the Walmart hunting section. I guess that "gig is up". Bummer. Love the Flekstone idea though, hmmmm.

January 30, 2005

I dont have any picts but I use natural tree limbs from the area I am going to place the cache....then I use that camo paint from walmart...start with a solid color of light...then I lay branches over it and the paint the other colors until I am satisfied...whle moving the branches and sticks around to cause the pattern to break up....

January 30, 2005

Here are some that I have done...Nutt'n fancy...but easy

January 30, 2005

These are great. I'm getting ready to paint my first boxes...got the boxes and the paint and my design idea.

Where do you get the geocache stencils or do you just make them yourself?

January 30, 2005

Brian, how does the Fleckstone hold up in the weather?

January 30, 2005

Brian, how does the Fleckstone hold up in the weather?

Leaving it uncovered is a desaster. It's not made for the water. Cover it with clearcoat and you'll be good.

This one I painted first and put a very light dusting for some texture. I used a "matte" clear coat over top.

January 30, 2005

These are great. I'm getting ready to paint my first boxes...got the boxes and the paint and my design idea.

Where do you get the geocache stencils or do you just make them yourself?

http://sissy-n-cr.com/store.shtml

24.7k · January 30, 2005

Criminal's Home page has some cammo how to's.

January 30, 2005

I found the camo duct tape at Walmart in the painting aisle with all the other tape. Less than 4 bucks a roll.

January 30, 2005

The camo tape was in my local Canadian Tire in the outdoor isle for $2.99 for those looking for it in Canada.

This stuff is going to make looking for that film canister very difficult!!!

Bwwwaahaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

January 31, 2005

There are some great ideas here! Maybe it should have it's own FAQ. Gave me something to think about... i feel the need to change mine out now....

Thanks for the motivation!

38.2k · January 31, 2005

Brian, how does the Fleckstone hold up in the weather?

Just fine with the KlearKote sealer.

7.3k · January 31, 2005

Plastic containers I usually wrap in camo tape.

The Lock 'n Lock has camo duct tape.

Does that camo duct tape last long in wet conditions, and stay put even on the edges?

Edited January 31, 2005 by Ambrosia

January 31, 2005

OMG, you want brilliant ideas, see this thread....

Unreal Caches

7.3k · January 31, 2005

Where do you get cloth camo tape, and how does it hold up in the weather.

7.3k · January 31, 2005

I need an answer soon, cause I need to do this to a cache that has had a lot of complaints about being too exposed. I thought that I would use the camo duct tape, but the cloth stuff would be a lot better for this cache. It is is in a very wet area, and I need to be sure that the material will stay on well.

This cache is several hours away from me, and I am hoping to visit it in a few days. But it has to last a while, since I don't travel to it more than once a month, or once every other month.

Thanks.

January 31, 2005

I need an answer soon, cause I need to do this to a cache that has had a lot of complaints about being too exposed. I thought that I would use the camo duct tape, but the cloth stuff would be a lot better for this cache. It is is in a very wet area, and I need to be sure that the material will stay on well.

This cache is several hours away from me, and I am hoping to visit it in a few days. But it has to last a while, since I don't travel to it more than once a month, or once every other month.

Thanks.

Ambrosia,

I've had good luck with the camo tape holding up outdoors.

Walmart sells it in large rolls -- unfortunately it's quite shiny and isn't the best quality. You'll find it in the archery and bow hunting section of the store.

They also sell mini packs of the camo tape that are flat (like it's wrapped around a small piece of cardboard), probably about 10 yards. This is a much better quality cloth tape, has a better camo pattern, and most importantly isn't shiny but has a matte finish. That's what I've been using and had good results with. It's in the same section of the store at Walmart.

January 31, 2005

Where do you get cloth camo tape, and how does it hold up in the weather.

We found it in the hunting section at WalMart. I think it was to wrap a gun in to make it camo.

5.3k · January 31, 2005

I have had good results using camouflage fabric on caches. This is on of the micros I have done, These are very hard to find when hung in bushes, I use these for urban caches.

I have also spray painted larger caches with Brown, Green and Dark Green paint.

I bought an Air Brush about a week ago to try my hand at doing camo paint jobs

with that. These are two I am working on now.

Edited January 31, 2005 by JohnnyVegas

7.3k · January 31, 2005

Thanks so much for the response! I've bought the camo duct tape, but didn't know about the cloth tape. It sounds like it is probably more expensive, but for some caches it is needed.

I'll go check out wal-mart again.

5.3k · January 31, 2005

Thanks so much for the response! I've bought the camo duct tape, but didn't know about the cloth tape. It sounds like it is probably more expensive, but for some caches it is needed.

I'll go check out wal-mart again.

I have been told Wallmart stock Camo fabric by the yard in the yardage dept. I do not have a Wallmart by me (What are the odds ) I glue the fabric onto my caches with a hot glue gun

These are two 35mm film cans I have done

Edited January 31, 2005 by JohnnyVegas

38.2k · January 31, 2005

Where do you get cloth camo tape, and how does it hold up in the weather.

I have a cache in cloth camo tape that has held up for two years. I did spray it with a few coats of sealer. I started using the camo duct tape about a year ago and the caches that use have held up. There is a little peeling here and there. Nothing that can't be repaired with more tape.

You can find cloth camo tape and camo duct tape in places that sell hunting supplies. Check the archery section.

February 1, 2005

Here is some fake dog poo that is suppose to be hollow inside. hehe Now that would be fun :rolleyes:

Fake Poo

February 1, 2005

Here is some fake dog poo that is suppose to be hollow inside. hehe Now that would be fun

Fake Poo

Putting a micro in something like that wuld definitely keep the muggles away. <_<

18.9k · February 1, 2005

Out here in Western Nebraska it doesn't rain too much out on prairie and I have had very good luck hiding a few caches with homemade "pillow" cover bags made from camo cloth. I treat the fabric front and back 2 times with Scotch Gaurd and then 2 times with silcone spray drying well between each. Have my wife sew up simple bags that look like pillow covers and then stick my ammo cans in them. It acts as dual camo in that A) the camo pattern blends in well with prairie terrian and B.) Most muggles are VERY hesitant to look in any sort of bag left lying around. I get good feedback on these and 2 have been stolen by geocachers that left the cache behind!!

I also have had good luck with the fleckstone paint and clearcote finish on some left near sandy areas.

Edited February 1, 2005 by StarBrand

2k · February 1, 2005

I painted some PVC pipe with the Fusion paint from Krylon, not a cache a Spud gun. Aynway the only way that stuff comes off is if the plastic gets scratched. I didn't sand or prime the surface in any way other than a quick wipe with isopropal on a rag.

February 1, 2005

I get the camo paint from walmart...Any brand will do, though...I use, in this order:

OD (olive drab) green, khaki, brown, black...I create spots and dots of all the colors in a camo-esque pattern, then I dust the whole thing with black...wait till it drys, rub it smooth with a rag, and usually put a "geocache" warning in white, and dust that with more black. The imortant thing to remember, get ULTRA FLAT paint.

5.3k · February 2, 2005

Here is some fake dog poo that is suppose to be hollow inside. hehe Now that would be fun

Fake Poo

Putting a micro in something like that wuld definitely keep the muggles away.

Not really, I have a cache that is a fake dog poo. I have had to replace it twice.

I keep a spare at home just in case

7.3k · February 2, 2005

Well, I found some of the cloth camo tape in a local hunting store (Wal-Mart said that they only stock it at the beginning of hunting season, and when it's gone it's gone.).

I tried it out on a new cache that I placed locally last night. It is a small lock n lock. Picture is bad, cause it was dark.

Thank you to all who helped me! I am very happy about all the possibilities. :rolleyes:

February 2, 2005

I use black and brown on my ammo boxes and if they are to be hidden among rocks, I add grey. Plastic containers I usually wrap in camo tape. I've also used a textured stone finish paint for ammo boxes when hiding among rocks.

Here are two of my normal ammo box patterns. The one in the front was done using an oak leaf as a template. The one in the back is just random squirts of paint. The Lock 'n Lock has camo duct tape.

I love the art deco (trail blazes) tecnique you used to paint your basement floor. :rolleyes:

February 2, 2005

Here is some fake dog poo that is suppose to be hollow inside. hehe Now that would be fun

Fake Poo

Putting a micro in something like that wuld definitely keep the muggles away.

Not really, I have a cache that is a fake dog poo. I have had to replace it twice.

I keep a spare at home just in case

Cache's hidden in this manner usually get discovered/discarded by park gardeners or clean up crews.

February 27, 2005

Tip for clear lock n'locks or clear rubbermaids: Just spray paint the inside whatever color you need- doesn't wear off and looks good.

3.3k · March 26, 2005

I just picked up a very promising stencil from Wal Mart today. I plan on using the pattern on my ammo boxes and decon containers. Here is the link to the specific stencil. http://www.plaidonline.com/productDetail.a...al=False&page=1

Edited March 26, 2005 by Kit Fox

March 12, 2007

i was wondering does anyone know where i can buy the offical geocaching stencil to put on the ammo cans.

2.6k · March 12, 2007

Here you go on this thread too.

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

March 12, 2007

Where do you get cloth camo tape, and how does it hold up in the weather.

We found it in the hunting section at WalMart. I think it was to wrap a gun in to make it camo.

See, wal-,marts are good for something other than hiding a lpc

Edited March 12, 2007 by gh patriot

20.7k · March 12, 2007

I just picked up a very promising stencil from Wal Mart today. I plan on using the pattern on my ammo boxes and decon containers. Here is the link to the specific stencil. http://www.plaidonline.com/productDetail.a...alse&page=1

That's interesting, but I think that nature provides better stencils.

4.2k · March 12, 2007

Agreed. I used redwood "leaves" and needles using the same technique that Sbell showed and they look great.

February 20, 2008

Here are some that I have done...Nutt'n fancy...but easy

Hey,

You can also find some stencils here: http://www.mygeocachingstore.com/stencils.htm

Just thought you'd like to know.

February 20, 2008

Heres a Ammobox I camoed - made with about 1 quart of autobody filler and 1 shoefull of sand

I got the body filler at the autoparts store and the sand is from the area I want to hide it!

just mix up ALITTLE of the bondo and smear it on the container (thick or thin)

the bondo will dry fast (a few minutes) mix up more and put it on repeat untill you get the shape your looking for. on the last coat of bondo pour the sand on and push the sand in before the bondo hardens. YES it is messy rubber gloves and a place to do this outside would be good) and dont bondo it shut its gotta open too!

Although Camo tape is very hard to find on a 35mm film can!

and Way easier to do!

THIS BOX WAS FUN TO MAKE!

What did you do to prep the can before adding the bondo? Did you sand it down to bare metal or will the bondo stick to the paint?

February 21, 2008

I need an answer soon, cause I need to do this to a cache that has had a lot of complaints about being too exposed. I thought that I would use the camo duct tape, but the cloth stuff would be a lot better for this cache. It is is in a very wet area, and I need to be sure that the material will stay on well.

This cache is several hours away from me, and I am hoping to visit it in a few days. But it has to last a while, since I don't travel to it more than once a month, or once every other month.

Thanks.

I've bought old used Camo type clothing (t-shirts, shorts, etc.) at garage sales and used that cloth to camo various types of containers. I use 3M 77 spray adhesive then cut the cloth and apply it to the container. Works pretty good for me. Holds up in the rain too.

February 21, 2008

Here is an attempt at spruce camo I made earlier this week. I used a little bit of speckle texture paint, black and brown paint. picked a couple spruce branches from the backyard for s stencil.

I want to work on the dry reed/grass pattern that duck hunters seem to be so fond of but right now the best local camo is snow white :rolleyes:

Painting/camouflaging Cache Boxes

Recommended Posts

Join the conversation