Rubbermaid And Paint

[+WeightMan]

Has anyone tried to camo paint one of the Rubbermaid blue top boxes? We are putting together some caches for a special meeting and would like to camo them if possible. I did a search of the forum for Rubbermaid paint and found nothing in the 30 days and older time period. Any help would be appreciated. We are trying to introduce geocaching to attendees at a computers in education conference coming up next month.

[+Kai Team]

Depending on the surroundings you want your cache to blend into, you might have better luck with camouflage tape than paint.

[+Clan X-Man]

I believe Kylon now makes a special spray paint just for plastics. You can find it at Wal-Mart or Target.

[[MTB]_Intrepid]

You can try this topic right here. Krylon Fusion worked ok on the plastic ammo boxes I had bought. Some folks said it worked fine on rubbamade. Hope this helps.

[+AuntieWeasel]

Has anyone tried to camo paint one of the Rubbermaid blue top boxes?

Yes, I've got one that's been in the field for five months.

 

I used Fusion black and matte brown in a leaf pattern (by spritzing over a leaf). It looked fantastic at first, but it hasn't held up to the cold weather. It's flaking to the touch, big time. I'm going to try a sand and repaint in the Spring (I didn't sand before, just washed it down with ammonia).

 

It's held up really well otherwise, though. Tight and waterproof.

[Shoobie & the Sand Crabs]

I have seen camoflauge tape but never paint on rubbermaid containers.

[+Apple Dumpling Gangg]

To help the paint adhere better, rough up the plastic with a fine grit sandpaper first. we made a micro out of a plastic perscription pill bottle. We roughed it up with the sandpaper, and then spray painted it. It seems to be holding up well.

[+JohnnyVegas]

I have had good results glue camo fabric to containers with a hot glue gun. Camo tape will work but get a tap that does not have a glossy finish if you can, I have found caches in which glossy camo tape was used and the reflection off the tape made the cache easy to spot.

[+WeightMan]

Thanks for the help. It sounds like some paints will work. I will invest in some fine grit sandpaper first and give it a go on one of the four boxes I have to get ready and see how it goes.

[+Stunod]

The paint on the lid will chip off first. The lid flexes too much during opening and closing for the paint to stick well, even after sanding and using the Kylon Fusion. The clear part will hold the paint just fine. Camo tape on the lid is a good idea.

Edited February 22, 2005 by Stunod

[+briansnat]

Camo tape will work but get a tap that does not have a glossy finish if you can, I have found caches in which glossy camo tape was used and the reflection off the tape made the cache easy to spot.

 

Cloth camo tape is great for this. I give it a coat with a spray sealer and that seems to help it weather the weather better. Cloth tape is a bit on the expensive side though. A small roll is about $5.

 

Also the duct tape in mossy oak camo is pretty good. No need to add a sealer to duct tape and its cheaper than cloth tape.

[+TheWilkens]

You can try lexan paint. You can find it at most Hobby Shops. It's designed to be sprayed onto lexan plastic models (like RC car bodies). It flexes well and to the best of my knowledge holds up well during the winter.

[+WalruZ]

WalMart cammo duct tape. cheap, easy, effective and long lasting.

[+AtoZ]

They make special paints for plastics, I would suggest one of thoes. Also a buick buff with some course sandpaper would help too.

cheers

[+Renegade Knight]

Cammo tape doesn't hold up all that well either. The glue gets brittle from weathering and the tape starts to come off.