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12-04-2004, 01:32 AM

Frogleg wrote on
Sun, Apr 11, 2004 at 12:58 PM:

On 04 Apr 2004 00:14:12 GMT, oway (Tyra Trevellyn)
wrote:

Thoroughly
cleaned metal cannisters that have contained olives, olive oil or similar
can
also be lined and have drain holes added. I've added a subtle verdigris
effect
on the outside,

Could you detail how you do your verdigris effect? This sounds
promising. Also, what is your experience in what kind of paint
sticks to plastic? I keep trying to come up with something useful AND
attractive to do with empty soda bottles.

I've got to kick my memory a bit, but here's what I'm pretty sure I did to two
large containers I still use:

I took some heavy-duty steel wool (and probably some sandpaper) and rubbed down
the outside of the metal cans, making them as rough as possible. I got some
smallish tubes of oil-based enamel (the kind that one uses to add tints to
oil-based paint) in a turquoise-y color. I squeezed some of the enamel onto a
brush and dabbed it on the outside of the cans, and then rubbed over it with a
paper towel. You do this a few times until you get the effect you want. It's
streaky and they look more like ancient, thoroughly-abused painted containers
than true verdigris, but it's a nice effect. You can use any color, really,
but roughed-up turquoise tends to resemble real verdigris which seems to look
right in gardens.

This is a really what-you-have-around way to do it, but I know that
crafts/paint/art supply shops have lots of products you can buy to create faux
finishes on all kinds of materials.

Plastic containers need to be coated with glue and paper before they'll take
most paints (although I'm sure there are paints compounded to adhere
brilliantly to plastic.....I just never looked for them, 'cause if I can't do
this kind of stuff on the cheap, it's not worth doing!). I soak sheets of
newsprint in artists' sizing and then wrap the paper around the containers
(kind of a papier mache thing, but better for this purpose). After that, you
can use any paint you want, as long as you apply a few coats of waterproof
sealer when the whole thing is dry. These creations last a surprisingly long
time, and don't look half bad when they've started to look tatty. I haven't
tried this on soda bottle plastic....only on the heavy-duty trashbin/dishpan
kinda plastic.

Quite honestly, while not difficult to do at all, I only go this route when I
need larger containers that would be too expensive to buy in preferred
materials.

Have fun...!
Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa z7