I want to make a small carousel horse for an Xmas gift

[NMDemDist2]

it's to be used as a doorstop to hold a door open inside

I'm thinking I can pick up an old child's plastic hobby horse and mount it to a pole and paint and decorate

will I need to use something to "harden" up the plastic first? like resin?

I expect i'll have to use the special primer so the paint will bond, or is just sandpaper "rough up" enough?

suggestions? anybody have any experience with this?

[amerikat]

1. I think it will depend on the type of plastic.

Some plastics are hard to get paint to stick to. Check out this about painting plastic tiles.

http://forum.doityourself.com/archive/index.php/t-19470.html

I found this on Google. Also many cars have painted plastic panels. Maybe check with the local body shop for a primer for plastics.

edit to add: If you need to add weight to the horse for it to be effective as a door stop, drill a small hole and put some sand in using a funnel.

[NMDemDist2]

2. I actually lucked out and found a wooden one cheap at the thrift store

all I have to do now is repaint and decorate it :bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

3. Horsie pics--- this is the work in progress

here's how he looked when I got him



here's with all the foo-foo removed



here's cleaned up and sanded ready to start painting....




keep tuned.......

[Lugnut]

4. That's a nice piece

Are you painting it the same color or not? I do tole/decorative painting so I'm interested in hearing/seeing what you have up your sleeve. :)

[NMDemDist2]

5. nope, he's gonna be an elegant white and gold traditional

carousel horse when i'm done (I hope LOL)


what is "tole" ??

[Lugnut]

6. Tole is actually metal.

The painting term is used to define a form of decorative painting using specific brush strokes to form flourishes or flowers. These strokes used to be done on metal surfaces so I assume the derivation was a result of that style. What I do doesn't qualify as fine art as far as I'm concerned but I enjoy it. lol

Are you planning to paint the mane on or reattach some fuzzy stuff? White and gold should look really nice.

[NMDemDist2]

7. fuzzy stuff ( i made it today) three colors of yarn that I've taken

apart to one strand in a rich tan with white and rose added through

we cut his wooden tail off

hopefully the wind will be calm tomorrow and i'll get the painting done

[NMDemDist2]

8. painted up and ready to start decorating

I'm going to give him emerald eyes and dusty rose and and gold accents, but here's my blank canvass. Black saddle or maybe deep chocolate brown, rose buds in a pale dusty rose color around the pole, bronze beads for his halter and reins and tri color tan/mauve/white yarn mane and tail with assorted and sundry ribbons. once all that's done we'll decide if the hooves go black or chocolate brown or bronze or what

[Lugnut]

9. Very nice

:) Thanks for the in-progress picture.