The Basics

Stock Class Caps

For stock class players, one carries less paint than todays paint sprayers. They will carry 10-round tubs of paint since they generally cannot load more than that into their hopper. During the heat of a fire fight, one should not take extra precaution taking of the green cap and setting it somewhere. Then again, loosing the cap renders these tubes useless.

There are many ways to keep from loosing the cap. Many have tethered there caps to the tubes. I will describe one of many ways of doing this. You can copy directly, or use other materials according to availability.

Materials List

• Stock tubes and caps
• Small tie wraps (they have to be over 2" in length)
• Elastic cord or thread
• An ice pick or nail of a diameter the same as the elastic cord
• A candle or other heat source

Putting it together

1. Remove caps from tubes.
2. Light candle and begin to heat up the awl or nail (Hold the nail in a pair of vice grips to prevent burnt fingers).
3. Use the heated awl or nail to make a hole in the cap near the side, but not too close. See the diagram below. The yellow dotted line represents the tubes inner diameter. This should reduce any sharp edges when making the hole. The hole in the cap is put off to one side so the knot does not rest against the top ball when the tube is full and the cap is on.
   
   

   Pic Courtisy of Durty Dan

   
   
4. Repeat this for all the caps.
5. Don't blow out the candle yet.
6. Cut the elastic cord into 2.5" - 3" lengths.
7. Hold the each end of the cut elastic near the flame of the candle so it melts slightly. Don't let it catch fire! This prevents the elastic cord from fraying. Be careful, as these can be hot and will stick until it cools.
8. Tie a knot as close to one end as possible on each of the elastic cords.
9. Take each cord and thread it through the hole in the cap from the inside so that when you pull the cord through, the knot is on the inside of the cap and the rest is sticking out like a fuse.
10. Put the caps on the tubes.
11. Pull the elastic cord tight (but not too tight or the cap won't come off, you may have to do some experimenting until you get the right tension that holds the cap on and allows it to be popped off with your thumb).
12. Wrap and secure the tie wrap around the tube and the elastic just below the two ribs on the tube.
13. Tie a knot at the end of the cord so it is against the tie wrap.
14. Trim ends of cord and melt where required.

Refer to drawings if you're not sure

Pic Courtisy of Durty Dan

If you have new stock tubes, you'll have to sand the inside of the cap so you can flip the cap off using one hand. Don't worry about them being too loose, the elastic will keep them on.