Spray Painting webgear. Is that a good idea?

[military gear geek]

Hey Guys,
I got a rather unusual question for you all. I've been wanting to get myself a SDS Molle II FLC. I would rather much perfer one in woodland camo but everywhere I look they are a bit pricey. The other day I came across these in desert camo,
http://cgi.ebay.com/USGI-MOLLE-II-Load-Bearing-Vest-w-Zipper-NEW_W0QQitemZ140239157051QQihZ004QQcategoryZ36071QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Well, the problem is that I live in a woodland area & I don't think a desert camo pattern would work too well. I could be wrong. I will admit that I've never tried it before but, that's just my opinion. Maybe it will work better then what I think it will if, I would get some woodland or od green pouches on it. Who Knows?!

Anyways, my brother suggested that I get some od green spray paint and go to work on it if, I do decide to purchase one. And by either making it od green or perhaps a unique camo pattern.

What do you guys think? I've never tried this before and I thought about dying it od green but, I don't know what color it might turn out to be when done. I've seen someone accidently change a color of there wintercoat from tan to black and they wanted green. I don't wanna change the color of a vest over to plain black.

Thanks for your time..

[Biglug]

You can spray it if you want to. It's just nylon and it does take to paint. I've sprayed black tactical gear OD just fine but found just like rifles stocks some paint is better than others.
Some of the best stuff I've come across is Alumahyde II from Brownell's as it's epoxy based so when it cures, it stays there.
If tryed lots of regular paints like Krylon and Aervoe, but there just regular paint and wear off pretty easily.

If your going to spray it just make sure to wash it in the tub first with some dish soap to degrease it and than watch not sticking up the zippers and buckles when you spray it after it's dry.

Another choice though is using Rit Dye. You just fill the kitchen or another sink with water and the dye and let it sit in it for a while. This is how guys had been taking od polymer rifle stocks from the FS2000 by F&N and turning it black.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1117

http://www.ritdye.com/Choose%20a%20Fabric.10.10.lasso

[Hauser]

You might want to have a look at this thread:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=93019&page=2

Covers how to use acid dye to turn a brown SAAV vest into a green one, seemed to work pretty well.

[Hispeed1]

Spray painting gear is ok, it's done in real life. Regular Krylon camo spray paint will do the job, Krylon camo fusion if you paint on plastic. It scratches off if you use your gear a lot.

[James]

Get a green vest instead of desert, it will probably be easier - just streak it with brown or black paint.

[TacoDelRio]

Yup.

I've painted lotsa gear, lotsa everything. The light gear accepts paint colors more readily. Have fun.

[military gear geek]

Those are great ideas!! Thanks You all for your help!!
I did a search before I made this topic and didn't come up with nothing.. Funny that I missed it.. lol!!

Now, I got another question for you all. If I would spray the mesh part of the vest, would it cover up the holes? I know, sounds like a dumb question because, you would figure with it being hung up, the paint should blow right through but, I think it might be hard to get it right in a few places without having to lay the vest down on something. Like I said, I'm still thinking about this.
If I can find a standard woodland camo vest within my price range, then I would take that instead.. It would save me alot of time..

Well, Thanks Again for the replies.. I appericate it!!

[TacoDelRio]

Generally, no, unless you spray too much on. If it does, let it dry, then mush it around to break the paint out of the holes.

[military gear geek]

Cool.. Thanks Again!!

[winchester_down]

Get a green vest instead of desert, it will probably be easier - just streak it with brown or black paint.

True dat, guys in my unit have done that a few times, works well.
A different ratios of od green brown and black will suit almost any environment.


Spray painting gear is ok, it's done in real life. It scratches off if you use your gear a lot.

Yep , been done in by soldiers in my and many other units for years.

Highspeed is right on the wear too, if you wear a pack over the rig it will wear on the back more, but dont worry, you just apply more paint routinely.
Say like one every year or two.
I bought a new battle bra at the start of the year and painted it 2 months ago, and since we've done a heap of leopard crawling and obstacle courses so its wearing back to the material colour pretty quick.
I'll just give it a going over in the next month.


Generally, no, unless you spray too much on. If it does, let it dry, then mush it around to break the paint out of the holes.

Yeah this works, mesh wont clog up, it does however lose its colour the quickest as it is more flexible. just give it another spray when needed.

[Dan2004]

Get a green vest instead of desert, it will probably be easier - just streak it with brown or black paint.

Agreed. http://www.armygear.net/ag/store/1000.html

They also have AIRSAVE vests for $17, which I personally think is astounding.

[military gear geek]

Dan2004, I had one of those Molle 1st gen vests before and I didn't like it. Had the utility belt on it. Basically, I got rid of it a few months later. I couldn't get it to fit. I had the oppertunity to try out a molle II flc in a surplus store. It fits alot better.. It's in that acu camo and it's like $50.00. A bit pricey for me..
I'll also check into the airsave vest you suggested.

Thanks Again for all the replies!!

[military gear geek]

Hey Guys, I got another idea. What if I would dye the d-camo vest over to like a light brown color. Almost coyote brown. I think that would blend on alittle better then tan would in a woodland setting. I've haven't seen anything up close in coyote brown unless it's one of the colors on the desert camo itself.
You kind of have to forgive me here but, I don't know much about desert camo patterns or colors. Sorry!

Anyways, you think that might be an ok idea?

[Sabre]

This is ending in 5 days. Has a load of pouches too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-ARMY-woodland-flc-lbe-lce-vest-with-pouches-new_W0QQitemZ280234187297QQihZ018QQcategoryZ48824QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

By the time you find a good dye/paint and try it, you might as well have just spent the extra money on what you want. That's my opinion anyway!

[military gear geek]

Sabre,
Thanks for the link.. I'll sure keep an eye on that..