Jeanine over at AT DC posted a great DIY project a month or so ago about coating some a white coral shaped hook with Plasti Dip, a flexible coating that mimics rubber when completely dried. It's the sort of material that gets the creative DIY juices flowing, as we're now imagining dipping our collection of assorted collection of pine cones and/or shells with Plasti Dip and using them as decorative paper weights. We loved these origami paper cranes dipped in the substance, alongside the idea of making your own low cost version of Tobias Wong's rubber dipped chandelier.
Plasti Dip is the sort of product that probably gets people over-enthused about covering things (we remember having this problem as 12 year old when we first got our hands on fleckstone spray paint), but there are probably plenty of interesting thrift store, garage sale and other knick knacks that could see new life neutralized, modernized and redone with a coat of Plasti Dip. Perhaps the rubber dipped clock or bust we've always fancied will finally come to fruition.
Anyone out there have a completed project using Plasti Dip to add to the list of uses?
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love the oragami idea. how does this stuff hold up over time? I'd be afraid it'd start crumbling off, especially if exposed to sun.
I want to do this!
I actually have the non-rubberized version of the tobias chandelier hanging in my dining room.
Really? (I'm recovering from a weekend illness, but ...) the idea of covering things in plastic-rubber, like that chandelier, kind of makes me feel sick to my stomach all over again.
That looks toxic to me.
I'd be afraid it would attract dust and then the dust would stick forever....
This might work in small doses, but honestly, I'm not drawn to the idea of covering things in shiny, candy-colored shells. Why would you want to make things look more disposable?
I love this! I have had a can of Plasti Dip sitting on my shelf for a few years at this point, just waiting for me to figure out what to dip in it. I can't wait to hear all the other ideas that are surely on their way. Not all AT readers (beside me) can hate this idea!
My Dad used this years ago to coat his wrenches - It doesn't attract grease or dirt any more than anything else and is primarily intended as a coating to inhibit rust while giving an easy to grip rubber surface....
...I wonder if we can dip Octomom in this stuff?
If anyone needs a rubber, it's her.
I like this.
ROFL @ bepsf. I have dipped things myself, especially patio chair legs, or barstool legs, that have lost their tips and are scratching my floor. Wooden handles of garden tools. And a flower pot.
hahaha bepsf!!!!! hilarious!
i think the oragami thing is cool too... and a super cheap way to add some accessories to a room! make some cool paper oragami thingys and coat them and you have an instant collection! if only i was good at oragami!
I've used the black plati-dip stuff. I needed a dragon skull, at about horse skull size as a prop. I carved it out of foam, and painted black plasti-dip onto it.
The purpose was to make something that could be thrown, stepped on, and kicked around. It turned out great. That prop was still being abused years after the fact.
for the longevity question: plastidip lasts an awfully long time. Its normal use if for coating tools that see a lot of abuse. We have gardening tools with dipped handles that have spent many a year out in the garden that are still going strong. The color fades after a few years in direct sunlight, but that's about it.
I got some really horrible vases and crystal bowls as wedding gifts that were most definitely regifted a million times before they got to me, but I can't imagine giving them to someone else. My first thought was to dip them in the plasti-dip to give them new life... but then I never got around to it and ended up using the vases and bowls as storage containers in unseen places. I'm thinking I may revisit that plan....
This is the coolest idea ever. I'm totally intrigued, and eyeing objects around the apartment...
Also, I laughed out loud at the octomom/rubber comment.
has anyone tried mixing colors with the plasti-dip?
erinpearce,
Yes, and plasti-dip even offers a color mixing kit. There's also clear, too.
How do you deal with drips? If you dip a vase or something, don't you end up with a puddle of rubber inside, or drips on the bottom?
Patio chair legs! Such a great use for this, thank you!.
Ah, yes, nothing funnier than another tired and mean-spirited jab at Nadya Suleman, who has a name other than "Octo-mom" in case anyone hasn't noticed.
Please get over yourself Jezebella and rubber coat something!
I have been wondering how to do this for over eight years.
Thank you.
Now I want to cover things in shiny, candy-colored shells! ;^) Actually, I'm wondering if this could work applied in dots on fabric to make it non-slip. If anyone know's, please holler. Google here I come...
Plasti dip's website has a product called non skid - super grip fabric coating.
I am crocheting some wool toddler slippers and I'm going to try it to make them non-slip.
Hmm... how about interesting rubber treads on notorious slippery wooden steps?
great idea pinkalbatross!
what about if you get tired of the treads though - then you're stuck with this.
I think I want to dip my dog's collar in that stuff...they always get gross after a few months.
This would be super useful for chair legs in a hardwood dining room. Everything that AZKathy mentioned sums up my thoughts.
problems solved!!
I tried using plasti-dip for the first time with my craft crew you can see the results of our project here:
http://fellowcreatives.com/2010/09/16/plasti-dip/
How cool! Let's see if this stuff is available in Europe and not banned due to health and safety.
Cool look for sure, but I am weary of the toxicity. I asked my boyfriend if he'd ever used it before since he's Mr. Fix-it. He stated that he had, but commented that it always held a smell, that it never went away.
"I have been wondering how to do this for over eight years."
Didja...try googling it? :o)
Teeze, you could do the fake milk-glass thing in the other post featured today. At least with the vases.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/a-quick-way-to-make-everyday-bottles-display-worthy-canadian-house-and-home-111860
My brother bought the stuff in red many years ago. Make sure you get all the tiny bubbles out before you dip. I personally don't care for the look, feel, and smell of plasti coat. Practice on something before you try it with a cherished item.
Along the same lines as adding treads to a staircase, i bet you could dip the soles of slippery shoes...
Though I'm also curious about how you avoid drips/puddles. Any ideas?
Old light bulbs could be reused to create a matching ornament set...
hmm...weird stone gardens and garden gnomes...
Funkify trophies...maybe I'll find an old baseball trophy and use it to make an accent for my mancave.
What a cool idea!! I have known how to do Oragami since I was in 4th grade, but never knew what to do with that skill lol. I'm thinking of dipping some Oragami projects in the stuff and sticking them on the shelf, its too easy though. I am going to get addicted and my house will be full of plasti-dipped knick knacks lol