Some sort of plastic would be best. I used a card stock and they won't last forever but they are holding up pretty well so far. Some of them already have 5-6 sprays on them and look like they could easily go another 5-6. I think what I am using is 65 lb stock.

The reason I didn't go with plastic is because I cant print on them without smearing ink and laser jet toner all over the freaking place. If I wanted to go all out I would print my stencil onto thin paper, spray glue it onto a peice of plastic (like an overhead projector sheet) then cut it out with an exacto blade. But I didn't feel like doing that much work

Probably won't start the next one until Saturday morning, but I have 2 more completely planned out I will get done this weekend that I think people on this site will enjoy.

Edit: Rereading your post it doesn't sound like you either A. Did not have a very clean cut out on the stencil, or B. Didn't have it connected to the can very cleanly. You can see on the second can where I didn't have a good connection and you get the blurry lines and the overspray under the stencil. If the stencil doesn't have a clean cut (or is a fiberous paper that frays easily or absorbs a lot of moisture) then you get smudges and your lines won't come out very straight.

If you were using plastic stencils then I would say it was B. With plastic, since it doesn't suck up the paint like paper, the paint will easly run and smear underneath the stencil. If I was using a plastic stencil I would use a light spray adhesive to put the stencil down on the can, that way paint won't get underneath. Like so: http://www.stencilease.com/db/display.asp?input=1062

Working on making a stencil for what will, I think obviously, have to be the
Arfcom can... Figured you guys would appreciate a look at how it is coming along.


Since I am making this one completely from scratch (my own drawing and decision on shadow locations) it is taking a little time and still has a little more work to go.




 
 

It is whatever handed you want depending on how you lay the stencil down
I layed it upside down for that test spray...

Cool man, very cool!

These are awesome! I wish I had some kind of talent like that

Well Done!!!

Can 3 WIP / Pictorial


































































































 

A "white"  AR.... you racist bastard!!!

Hell... Everyone keeps calling them EVIL BLACK rifles... That shit be way mo racist then me dog!


 

I did this with my ammo foot locker, and having been thinking about similar ideas for some ammo cans. I just used some cardboard stencils from the craft store. The first pic gets the color better, it's not that light green color, it's much more OD. And the "distressing" is a lot subtle than shown.











 

Thanks for the step by step photo series.  That really clears things up for me.  The new ones look just as cool as the originals, great work...

What kind of paint for the base coat?

What about the artwork? Rattle cans or airbrush?

I am using outdoor metal Krylon. And all purpose spray would work. The art is all rattle canned. Don't have an airbrush.

 

I have access to a laser engraver.

This thread is inspiring. I've been meaning to try making stencils. This is a subject worth the effort.

Damn this is a cool thread!!

You said you had 6 cans. Waiting to see some more. I love the gas mask.

Will be doing at least 6. I intended to do 2 this weekend but ran out of paint for my base coat. Next can will be done as soon as I wander around in the Wally Worlds direction.

david, you have inspired me... as soon as i get my crap out of storage im doing my gun safe... pics will follow the project

I thought about doing mine... But it has around 250 stickers on it I didn't want to deal with getting off...