How to Paint Something in Camouflage

Camouflage painting is well known for its ability to disguise military personnel, installations and equipment through the use of natural earth tones. This style of painting also has a number of uses outside the military context. If you enjoy playing outdoor chasing games such as paintball, gain the advantage by painting your paintball gun or other key items in camouflage to prevent other players from spotting you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newspaper
• Paint primer
• Paint brushes or rollers
• Card stock
• Pencil
• X-acto blade
• Paint (black, beige, brown, dark green)
• Clear top coat paint

1. Spread newspaper over the ground in the area where you will be painting.

2. Use a brush or roller to cover the object in paint primer, which will even out ridges or dents in the surface, helping the paint to adhere. Leave the object on the newspaper to dry for the amount of time indicated by the instructions provided with the primer.

3. Create four stencils for the camouflage pattern while you wait for the primer to dry. Draw amorphous shapes (see Resources for an example) on sheets of card stock and cut out the shapes with an X-acto blade.

4. Place one of the stencils against the object's surface once the primer is dry. Use a brush or roller to apply one of the paint colors on top of the stencil.

5. Repeat step 4 with each stencil and color. Each time you use a new stencil, position it so that it partially overlaps with the shapes left by the previous stencil.

6. Leave the object on the newspaper for about 2 hours, providing adequate time for the numerous layers of paint to dry.

7. Use a brush or roller to apply a clear top coat all over the object. Wait half an hour before touching the project.

Tips & Warnings

• Work outside so paint won't splatter the floor and furniture in your home.

Resources

• Camouflage stencil