Painting plate carriers and the like

[Lukens]

I just recently bought a bunch of ACU stuff off of Big_red. And while i love the gear, I just cant stand the ACU. the prices were too good to stand up though. So, my question is this:

How do i paint my gear? I asked Big Red, but id like a more detailed answer, and some feedback from people who've done it before. What kind of paint do i use? where can i get it?

[Russkie]

Dan used to take his ACU gear and spray it with OD spray paint. It would turn into a Ragner Green color. It usually takes a couple of coats for the paint to sink in.

Another option is to dye it, but it would be a lot harder.

[McNair]

Yeah, I've painted some ACU with OD spray paint. It just takes a couple times for it cover it completely, but even one layer works.

[LiquidSnak]

I've had good luck using an adhesion promoter with nylon gear, it seems to help cover the original color much better.

[Lukens]

I ended up using some OD green KRYLON spray paint. About two coats got it all, and it turned it into a kind of dark green/gray color. plus it still has some of the Digital design underneath it. Looks great, and the paint adhered perfectly to it. Made it a little stiffer, but thats alright. Also made the IBA water proof interestingly enough.

[LiquidSnak]

Also made the IBA water proof interestingly enough.

Nice

[Lukens]

Also made the IBA water proof interestingly enough.

Nice

yup. was out in the rain in it, and the water just slid right off! bonus.

[Orwell]

Pictures or it never happened.

[110]

For uniforms, try dying it with RIT dye.

ISKRA on ASO made a easy to follow guide on doing so:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27347

[Lukens]

Pictures or it never happened.

Hahah ill post up some pics later today. cant exactly show the water sliding off though.

[Hamster]

Hahah ill post up some pics later today. cant exactly show the water sliding off though.

video tape dat shit.

[Lukens]

Hahah ill post up some pics later today. cant exactly show the water sliding off though.

video tape dat shit.

requires too much effort. You can splash some water on me if we meet at a game or something lol

[Orwell]

requires too much effort. You can splash some water on me if we meet at a game or something lol

I'm bringing a water bottle. Watch out!

[VogonFord]

Psh. If you want waterproof, just get a PASGT vest. No water gets through kevlar.

Anyway, Joe on Fragistan tried to dye a Multicam vest black (long story), but it just ended up looking like rather dark Multicam (also known as more effective in the Pacific Northwest Multicam). Spraypaint is the better way to go.

[Lukens]

I wear my Tac Vest over the IBA. The picture isnt the best for showing the color differences. The tav vest is a true OD green, while the IBA is a more darker, grayer version. Its very dark gray green. if that makes sense.

the pack on the back of the vest is also spray painted, along with the pouches on it. They were all ACU. Im rather happy with the end result myself.
The only problem is that it made all the gear really stiff, but its a small price to pay for awesome gear!