just a little spray paint would have worked fine..
dark of night - black face mask - black spray can- check.
Anybody remember the flying ducks on the Republic Airlines DC-9s? Well, many years ago, someone was drawing smiles on their faces, and, occasionally, other, er, ah - appendages.
There was an intensive airport manhunt that went on throughout the system. Finally, a bulb changer at the old Atlanta airport was caught in the act. His job was to change all those high-up burned out bulbs on the ramp. He had modified his long bulb-changing pole (with its felt-lined can on the end) to accept a paint filled fake bulb with a makeshift brush on the end. He would install it, then nonchalantly stroll by the vertical fins, giving them a quick swipe in the process. I think his brother was a disgruntled mechanic who worked for Republic.