Manitoba Geocaching Association

[Kabuthunk]

So for the past day or so, I've been spraypainting my cache container (scuffed up so it's not uber-slippery) with a textured spraypaint to fit in with where it'll be hiding.  To my dismay, upon it drying and me picking it up to check it out, I've discovered that the spraypaint has absolutely ZERO hold on the container.

With the sheer act of picking it up, the dry spraypaint stuck to my FINGERS more than it did to the cache container, and just came off on my hands.  I swear it has so little stick, the surface must be repelling it a 1/4mm off the surface or something :P

The really irritating part?  The cardboard that I sprayed over, or like... a rock that got sprayed on or anything... all stuck with paint.  Just the cache container isn't.  Blargg.  Well... there's 12 bucks I wouldn't mind getting back.  MAybe this stuff will be useful somewhere else.

 

Solution as of now... going to test a psycho-glue that I have and see how strong it holds.  If it stays, I think I'll just coat the entire surface of the cache container in it and either glue something that surface, or just wait for it to dry and spraypaint the glue :P

 

But yeah... a tad annoying.  I already got the page started on geocaching.com, so I have a cache ID number and everything... but I can't send it for review until I get this container fixed.  Otherwise, it woulda been sent for review this weekend.  Looks like I may be delayed a week or so :{

[lizardo]

Hey Kabuthunk.

For the textured spraypaint to stick, you will need to use a really good primer coat.  I have had success before with a cheap can of primer.  Use a coarse sandpaper on the surface.  Really scuff it up alot.  If it is a gasketed container (Lock & lock, ammo can) make sure you don't get any paint on the gasket.

You could also "prime" the container with camo duck tape.  It holds paint ok.  And if any paint chips off, you still have the tape back up.

If you are planning on using glue, I would recommend exterior silicone.  It is weatherproof and sticks to anything. 

[Kabuthunk]

First cache is nearing completion (again).  The glue that I used is the same stuff I used to glue down the carpeting in the interior of my car... so I know it can take a ton of abuse, cold, heat, and just about anything else you can throw at it.  I use it for anything I need to stay, and stay good :P

In either case... instead of the previously mentioned idea of "spraypaint the glue", I just decided to go more all-out, and spend an extra 4 or 5 hours on preparing the cache container to better blend in.  It's currently about 90% done, but due to the 12-24 hour dry time with the glue, and me wanting to do several layers (in case anything chips off or falls off) of camoflage, it'll still be several days before it's complete, then several more days before I can get it out.

 

But soon... soon...

[Jimbo 2]

I had to repair one of my caches like that. The first camo just peeled off in large pieces, white glue does NOT make good camo adhesive. For my next repair I covered the cache in silicone, then sprinkled sand in it to provide camo. This seems to be holding up.

Also, wiping down the container with acetone as well as sanding it, helps glue to stick to the plastic better, I have found.

[Kabuthunk]

Hurrah!  Cache creation has been completed.  Minor touch-ups remain, but that should be done tonight.  Cache page nearly completed as well.  Only things remaining are completing FTF prize and certificate, the aformentioned touch-ups on the container, physically placing it, and sending the page up for review.

On a random note... here's the initial contents.  I decided to go with some less-conventional starting items... since usually what I find in a cache tends to be boring.  Hence, I put in things I'd like to find in caches myself :P :

Logbook
Roll of camoflage tape
Matchbox car
Normal-shaped caribiner
Duck-shaped caribiner
Bouncy ball
Rubber chicken
FTF prize (handwoven titanium chainmail bracelet) & certificate

 

So yeah... look forward to Kabuthunk's first cache coming shortly (unless it's disallowed for some reason, but I can't fathom why right now).  I estimate end of the week I'll be submitting for review... maybe earlier.  I have Thursday off, so I'll be seeing if I can get out there to place it then.

[slippery_1]

Hey, You can't put this cache here I plan on putting one there....lol

 

How's that? Beat the reviewers note...grins

[Kabuthunk]

Aw MAN. Well, looks like I might as well hurl that cache into the dumpster on the way to work today then :P

But no... things are coming along quite nicely. Finished the titanium bracelet entirely (hope I made it big enough for most people... if it's too big, at least people can clip off some of the rings). Finished the touch-ups on the cache container, and am currently waiting for Staples to finish printing out my FTF certificate... which will be printed on parchment paper, signed, neatly folded, and sealed with a custom-made wax seal :P


... I wanted my first cache to be something special... hopefully.

[1Queenand4Jokers]

Our sons, the Jokers 3, like your signature item Kabuthunk. So how much for a full metal middle ages vest?

[TASKForce3]

Yes, I agree. Both of my daughters have scored a chain mail ball now. Cool item.

[Kabuthunk]

Hurrah! Glad people like the chainmail ball. Plenty more where that came from :P

Reminds me though... I should toss one into these caches too :P

.... there, added in.



Anyhoo... as for the chainmail vest... the one I made took about a month to make (about 3 to 4 hours a day). The cost was all of maybe... 35 bucks worth of galvanized steel wire, but I hand-coiled and cut it all myself. So like... the entire cost is in the work. Then again, I don't really want to make big-ticket items for sale anyway... not enough spare time to justfy it :{

[Sam and Lily]

I have a couple of chain mail balls too which I am going to put on to earwires.They are very cool and a great "lost art" . I really want to see the bracelet !! Hopefully the FTF can post a picture? ertyu?

[Kabuthunk]

I'll actually be taking pictures of the contents before it goes out to post on my website anyway. When I do, I'll post the link.

[Kabuthunk]

BLARGG!  I'm sure everyone goes through this with the first cache or so they've placed... but the wait to see if it gets approved and activated is agonizing!

I submitted it for review... about 26 hours ago.  I'm sure it can easily take several days, or even a week or two... depending on how busy the reviewers are with... y'know... regular life, but still :P

So yeah... cache is currently sitting in the cold, waiting to be found... and it's drivin' me nuts waiting for any kind of word of if I need to change something, or do something extra, or if it's taking so long because of a problem... or yeah.  The waiting... it be driving me nuts!

[Dragonfreys]

Congratulations, it's a boy...err..cache. May it live long and be found by many happy cachers.

[Kabuthunk]

YAAAAY! Yeah, I checked this morning, and it's up and running! I wonder who will make the cold, cold trek first.