Action figure table lamp
Inspired by a project that I saw on instructables, here's how to take all those action figures and turn them into a quirky table lamp for a boy's bedroom
The original project is just so great I had to see if I could replicate the idea with some of my son's old action figures and small toys. He doesn't have a lot of them left - just enough to fill up the base of the lamp.
The lamp is a Mr Price Home cheapie (R99.99) and I used Rust-Oleum Metallic Satin Nickel spray. You can use any Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover or Metallic spray for this project, and you will find a wide selection of glorious colours at your local Builders.
YOU WILL NEED:
Table lamp - new or old
240-grit sandpaper or Rust-Oleum primer
Rust-Oleum Metallic spray paint - or your choice of Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover colour
Masking tape
10-minute epoxy glue
Newspaper or cardboard
OPTIONAL: Pack of Prestik
HERE'S HOW:
1. Clean and dry the action figures or toys you will be using for the project.
2. Place them on a large sheet of newspaper or cardboard and lightly spray on a couple of coats of Rust-Oleum spray paint. Turn over and repeat the process to ensure all the pieces are completely covered with paint.
GOOD TO KNOW
It is easier to spray the figurines now
before attaching them to the base of the lamp,
and to do a final coat once the lamp is
finished. That way you won't have to try and get
in between to spray them all at the end.
3. Before wrapping the cord with masking tape I gave the entire lamp base and top a light sanding with 240-grit sandpaper. You can skip this and use Rust-Oleum Primer spray if you prefer.
4. You also need to cover any ventilation holes at the back of a lamp, in this case the table lamp had holes and these were plugged with rolled up masking tape.
5. Now you are ready to spray on a couple of light, even coats. Don't spray closer than 30 centimetres away from the surface or you may end up with runs. I placed the top of the lamp face down on the cardboard to prevent spraying inside the lamp shade.
6. Let the paint dry completely before attaching the action figures around the base with 10-minute epoxy. Before you start have an idea in mind of how you want the arrangement to look and use Prestik to temporarily place the figures. Remember to remove any Prestik before you spray!
7. Only mix up enough epoxy glue to attach one figurine at a time, and let the epoxy cure before attaching the next one.
GOOD TO KNOW
If the figurines don't want to stay in place while the epoxy cures - use a little Prestik to help keep them in place.
Once done, give the figurines a light spray to cover up any epoxy glue and touch up any scratches.