How to Camouflage an Ammo Box

Do you enjoy geocaching? Are you to the point where you'd like to hide your own caches, but you think the ammo cans in the army surplus stores are too rusty or ugly for use? Here's how to prep and decorate your own ammo can camouflage...

N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for latest updates 

 Steps

    1
    Typical Ammo Cans from Army Surplus.
 
    Obtain the ammo cans.
    2
    Good clean seal and intact.
  
    Look for the least amount of rust and a good inner seal.
    3
    This lettering tends to stand out when in nature. Get rid of it by sanding it off.
   
    Partway through sanding.
   
    Sand the outer surface of the can to remove any rust or previously stenciled lettering.
    4
    After Sanding.
   
    Wipe away sanding dust before applying paint.
    5
    Obtain spray paint in colors to match your natural surroundings. Rustoleum brand works very well, as it prevents further rust from developing.
    6
    Painting area set up.
  
    Prep your painting area. This should be a well ventilated area with some sort of protection for the floor and ammo cans. Flattened cardboard boxes work very well.
    7
    Open the ammo can and lay it flat (or even remove the hinged lid altogether.)
    8
    Remove the lid of the spray paint can, shake up the spray paint and start spraying. Keep an even distance from the surface being painted to get an even coating and avoid lingering in one spot too long and causing dribbles.
    9
    Spray somewhat random patterns. You need a blotchy sort of final product with no recognizable pattern.
    10
    Finished Paint job.
   
    Allow the paint to dry.

STENCIL

    1
    Measure the ammo can.
    2
    Stencil Template
   
    Write your message in a word processor, using a large, block font such as Arial Black. Size the font to fit within the measurements of the ammo can.
    3
    Print your message (in the example, only the word "Geocache" was used).
        You can use card stock as a temporary stencil, or a thin sheet of plastic for a more permanent stencil (a roll up kitchen cutting mat was used in this example).
    4
    Transfer the stencil to heavy paper or plastic. The roll up kitchen cutting mats are translucent. This author taped the printed letters to one side, traced with a thin marker, and then cut the letters out using scissors and an exacto knife.
    5
    Cut out the stenciled letters.
    6
    Stencil placement.

    Hold the stencil over the ammo can.
    7
    Spray evenly across the stencil.
    8
    Finished lettering.
   
    Remove the stencil and allow the paint to dry.


Things You'll Need

    Ammo Can
    Sand Paper
    Spray paint, preferably a rust inhibiting brand such as Rustoleum
    Stencil Materials (optional)
        Kitchen roll up cutting mat, or Card stock (optional)
        Exacto Knife or sharp scissors (for cutting stencils)