Rain Barrel
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When i t
comes
to being creative, you're
only limited by your imagination! Painting your rain barrel is
not
only a fun project, but it will help to protect the surface of the
barrel from breaking down due to the harsh effects of the sun.
There are several methods you can use to paint your barrel. There
are
also several types of paint available -- and endless colors to choose
from -- in retail stores.
Outdoors acrylics and spray paint work well, but the barrel must first
be primed so that these materials adhere properly to the surface.
A
newer product on the marke is a spray paint desinged specifically for
outdoor plactic furniture, but it will work on almost any plastic
surface. The benefit to this product is that the barrel does not
have
to be primed before appliation of the spray paint.
Regardless of what type of paint with witch
you choose to decorate your barrel it is a good idea to apply a couple
coasts of polyurethane to protect your work.
To prime your barrel:
1. Thoroughly clean the exterior surface
of the barrel by wiping away excess dirt
and grime
with a clean rag
soaked in a 1:1
mixture of vinegar and water.
2. Using a fine to medium grade
sandpaper, "rough up" the surace of the barrel.
3. With a dry cloth, wipe the barrel
again to get ride of any fine plastic shavings.
4. Apply one coat of outdoor
primer. Primer is typicall white, but it can be mixed with
another
paint color or
tinted
to match the final design
color of the barrel. Allow the primer to dry, according to the
directions on the
container.
Now the barrel can be painted any way you like - by stencil, a pattern,
freehand, etc. You can even use some leftower exterior paint to
make it match the walls of your house! Allow the paint to dry
completely before applying 1 to 2 coats of polyurethane. Allow
the polyurethane to dry inbetween coats.
Tip: This is a great project for children. Take care of all
the prep work (cleaning, sanding and priming) for them, and then let
their creative juices flow! You will be surprised with the final
product!
The Nell Coe Award (Two Year Award) is revised each
administration. The Donors of this award are Clubs of District IV
and Joan Ochs, FFGC President, Winter Park. This award honors
Nell Coe. The Nell Coe Tray will remain on permanent display at
Headquarters. $25 each class (Total o $75) is offered during
2005-2007. The activity selected for 2005-2007 by Joan Ochs,
President, is: Youth Rain Barrell Project. An award of $25 is
offered in each of three classes for the best Rain Barrell Project
(Water Conservation) presented by a Youth Unit in Florida during the
2005-2007 administration.
A. $25 to a Junior Gardener Group
B. $25 to an Intermediate Gardener Group
C. $25 to a High School Gardener Group
For additional information about rainbarrels, visit Rain Barrel for you |
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