Painting Military Crates

[wood714]

I always wondered how they painted info on crates. I had a old one that my grand dad had in his attic. It held tables or something not cool. I wanted to refinish it and paint something cool on it, but never could figure how to make it look like the military did. This thing weighed well over 100 pounds. I ended up staining it, but I'd like to try painting info on ammo cans and stuff. Like this.

The old case I refinished.

 

[Rustyt1953]

It turned out well. Nice work.

Reminds me of a fancy version of the Anvil and Calzone road trap cases I sold.

 

[Protocall_Design]

They are spray painted over thin cardboard stencils. The cardboard is like a file folder. There are stencil cutting machines to make the letters.

DIAGRAPH BRADLEY GG-S-747 STENCIL CUTTING MACHINE | eBay

 

[Onomea]

The refinish looks very nice!

 

[DWalt]

You can buy ready-cut stencils. Usually on transparent plastic, but only individual letters and numbers, not words. You would have to cut, or have cut, stencils for words. I have seen stencil cutting machines, but very long ago. You could probably find someone on the internet who would cut stencils to order for you. Custom Cut Stencils, Stencil Supplies and Stencil Machines. USA

 

[Faulkner]

The military used to use stencil making machines, I don't know if they still use them or not. I have a Marsh Stencil Machine I bought new in the box from a Federal Surplus outlet several years ago. I make all kinds of stencils to use for both home and work to label gear, cabinets, ammo boxes, etc. They can run $3 to $4 thousand bucks new but seems I paid around $50.00 for mine surplus.

It came with a large packet of stiff board stencil blanks and it's very easy to use. I was using it just the other day to make a stencil to label my kayak paddles with my name and phone number. It comes in quite handy.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I just buy a set of stencils or more likely 2 sets per letter size.

I write out my text and check for spelling errors then arrange the lines and use masking tape to temporarily hold them to each other and in place.

For "Tactical" looking letters I use flat black primer spray paint on matt green or camo base. and flat black or white on natural of colored background.

For outdoor use on signs, Good two coat glossy base and one coat glossy lettering.

After using, I let dry, then remove the tape and store my different sizes in Ziplock bags. I have 3 sets of 3/4", 2 sets of 1" and 1 set each of 2, 3, and 4".

When my best friend was in Ohio N.G. supply, for a Christmas gift I took an unused 1 Qt paint can put a flat green base coat on it Then stenciled his name in military fashion on it. Filled it with wrapped hard candies. He kept it on his desk in the armory for the rest of his career. After months of being in plain sight, the C/O ask what it was? "A Tactical Candy Dish Sir" was the answer, with an offer of a piece of candy!
The C/O was the only person that ever noticed the "candy dish" in plain sight.

For temporary stenciling on cars and the like, I use archery bow paint, afterwards it comes off with a mild solvent like "Opps" or "Goof Off". My kids never knew what was going to be on their car by the gas cap cover!

Ivan

 

[wood714]

I just buy a set of stencils or more likely 2 sets per letter size.
Ivan

The last place I'd thought about was Amazon for something like this. "1 inch Military Letter Stencil Set." They have sets in 3/4", 1", and 2".

I'm gonna order a 1" letter set and a number set.

 

[crows]

I always wondered how they painted info on crates. I had a old one that my grand dad had in his attic. It held tables or something not cool. I wanted to refinish it and paint something cool on it, but never could figure how to make it look like the military did. This thing weighed well over 100 pounds. I ended up staining it, but I'd like to try painting info on ammo cans and stuff. Like this.

The old case I refinished.

Honestly, your finished product looks way better than a military paint scheme.

 

[crows]

The military used to use stencil making machines, I don't know if they still use them or not. I have a Marsh Stencil Machine I bought new in the box from a Federal Surplus outlet several years ago. I make all kinds of stencils to use for both home and work to label gear, cabinets, ammo boxes, etc. They can run $3 to $4 thousand bucks new but seems I paid around $50.00 for mine surplus.

It came with a large packet of stiff board stencil blanks and it's very easy to use. I was using it just the other day to make a stencil to label my kayak paddles with my name and phone number. It comes in quite handy.

We used one like that to make stencils for painting our duffel bags prior to our deployments to Iraq.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I seem to remember letters & numbers that came as a copper unit, that slid/attached to the next letter...... in large and small sizes.

This was in the late 60's and the paint was either white, black or yellow.

Since most of our boxes contained weapons, the bundle was banded together with metal straps and on a pallet.

 

[CalifEd]

Hint:
Hold the stencil by hand and a bit off of the object.
This will assure the fuzzy edge, a not quite completed letter but an authentic looking lettering job.

 

[swsig]

OP, that last photo was a complete surprise. Nice work!

 

[Fishinfool]

I'm thinking I might search the net for 3 or 4 flat, focused pictures of lettering and numbers I found appealing on existing crates / cans, then download them. Print them at accurate scale on heavy paper. Use an exacto knife and a straight edge to cut the word / numbers out, making an accurate stencil that maintains original font and spacing.

By the way, that refinished old crate of yours turned out great as a piece of furniture.

Larry

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I reckon I do it the hard way.

I find a font I like, print the text on a sheet of paper, cut the
letters out with an exacto knife then spray through the stencil
onto whatever I'm working on.

I'll add my commendation to the others for the handsome
refinish job you did on that piece.

 

[Chuck24]

Back in the late 69s, early 70s, I worked summers in the Newport News shipyard in the painters department. I was assigned what they called artwork, which meant mostly stenciling pipes and other things. First thing in the morning my buddy and I would use a machine to cut the stencils we’d need for the day to stencil pipes etc. One morning after a hard night of partying, we spelled a word wrong, and all over the ship there were pipes that said frsh water. The boss was not happy and we had to change them all, least I think we changed them all. In any of you served on the Nimitz early on and saw a misspelled word it was probably me.

 

[WardenRoss]

If you have to do hard-time (state prison) you come off the bus, get de-loused, checked by medical and march to the laundry/clothing room.


"You get 2 pants, 2 shirts, 2 drawers, 2 t-shirts, 2 socks, 1 sweat-shirt, 1 soap bar, 1 TP, 1 wash rag, 1 towel, 2 sheets, 1 pillow case all in your net bag.

The clothes and net-bag will have your state ID# and your name inked on, from a stencil made by a Marsh machine, and a Marsh roller. Your stencil will be kept in your clothing issue file.

Put your John Henry on the receipt. NEXT!" repeats the Laundry Officer.


That's the way it worked for many years.

Now, they have a computer printed, heat sensitive label, pressed on the items.

The last Marsh machine I bought was in 1994. My state price was $1,100. They are built like a tank. Will outlast you or me.


,

 

[wood714]

OP, that last photo was a complete surprise. Nice work!

Thank you!

The inside is still military green, and I use it to store gun boxes.

 

[soFlaNative]

One morning after a hard night of partying, we spelled a word wrong, and all over the ship there were pipes that said frsh water. In any of you served on the Nimitz early on and saw a misspelled word it was probably me.

Did you take your talents to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City?
Have a Snickers. Great Googly Moogly!

 

[Puller]

The military used to use stencil making machines, I don't know if they still use them or not. I have a Marsh Stencil Machine I bought new in the box from a Federal Surplus outlet several years ago. I make all kinds of stencils to use for both home and work to label gear, cabinets, ammo boxes, etc. They can run $3 to $4 thousand bucks new but seems I paid around $50.00 for mine surplus.

It came with a large packet of stiff board stencil blanks and it's very easy to use. I was using it just the other day to make a stencil to label my kayak paddles with my name and phone number. It comes in quite handy.

I really like those ammo can crates you have Faulkner. Makes storing and stacking the ammo cans more handy.