Content
The dacha is a favorite place to work and relax. The second type of pastime is not only pleasant, but also necessary. Therefore, every summer resident tries to decorate his favorite dacha on his own. As soon as the transformation of the garden plot has begun, I want to bring all the details into colorful harmony. The thrifty owner has metal or plastic water containers at his dacha. It can be:
- barrels for irrigation;
- tank for summer shower;
- container for soaking grass.
Most often, these are old rusty barrels that have almost served their purpose. But even a container for soaking grass (“green” fertilizer) can be made very original. The easiest and most affordable way is to paint.
Currently, this is a very popular area of country landscape design, which is called painting on old barrels.
After such creative intervention, the old rusty barrel does not spoil the appearance of the site at all. It can be placed in a garden bed, in a recreation area, near the house or simply at the entrance.
What you will need
It is better to paint barrels with a dye for a specific material. If the barrel is wooden, take wood enamel.A metal or plastic container can be transformed with alkyd, oil-based or water-dispersion paint with an anti-corrosion effect. Many summer residents choose acrylic paints. They create a bright pattern, withstand weather conditions well, are easily applied to the surface and removed from hands, and are safe for children.
If you can't buy new paint for painting, take leftovers of any color. It is important that the paint on the painted barrel has a water-repellent effect. In addition, you will need:
- Brush, sandpaper. It is better to take a large sandpaper grain size. But, if you still have to sand the surface, then a fine-grained one will come in handy.
- Scraper and brushes. It is advisable to paint the barrel not only on the outside. It's good to protect it from the inside. To do this, you will also need a brush holder so as not to lean into the barrel and breathe in paint fumes.
- Solvent, white spirit. Needed for diluting old paint for painting or adjusting a drawing.
- Primer. It will help preserve the barrel at the dacha much longer. Apply before painting.
- Pencil, chalk. It is very important to draw a sketch on paper or directly on the barrel to make it easier to paint.
To create some drawings, juniper or thuja branches, stencils, and a can of spray paint will be useful.
Sequence of creative stages
The very first and most important thing will be the choice of container. You can paint barrels in any condition to decorate your dacha. If you take a holey and very old one, then it’s good to transform it into a flower bed. It will last less than a whole one, but this summer season there will be one more painted flowerbed.
A barrel suitable for storing water must first be cleaned of rust and dirt so that the paint adheres well. For this purpose, use a scraper and sandpaper. Some summer residents apply a rust converter before painting. In any case, the next step is to remove any remaining dirt, dust and grease using a cloth. It is moistened in alcohol or solvent, and the surface of the barrel is wiped.
It is much easier to prepare a plastic barrel for painting. You just need to wash and dry the surface well.
While the barrel is drying, you need to draw a sketch or decide on the theme of the drawing. It is placed on paper and then transferred to the surface of the barrel with a pencil or chalk. The most common themes for coloring:
- flowers, trees, leaves;
- animals, birds;
- People;
- abstract color sketches.
Let's move on to the painting stage. First, paint the inner surface. Here you will need an extension for the brush so that you can reach the very bottom of the barrel with paint.
It is recommended to paint the outer surface of the barrel in two layers to prevent stains from appearing.
The paint must dry. Let's move on to marking the drawing.
Otherwise, when you move into the distance, you may notice drawn eyes, flowers of different levels or sizes.
Using spray paint, they create a very original look for the design. To do this, apply the background color to the barrel, then apply a sprig of thuja or juniper to the wall and spray the paint directly onto the sprig. It turns out to be an amazing decor.
We place the updated barrel on the site
A painted decorative element can be disguised, or it can be made an accent point. Willow twigs, pieces of moss, and live plants in a flowerbed or garden bed are good for camouflage. Dried willow branches are soaked, sharpened and woven. The moss is tied to the barrel with twine. The height of the harness is chosen in accordance with the surrounding landscape. If the size of the painted barrel is large, it is dug into the ground. The bottom is wrapped in polyethylene or film to protect it from moisture.
If the container for coloring is leaky, do not rush to throw it away. After all, it can serve not only for storing water. What can you build from a painted barrel at your dacha?
Firstly, a flowerbed.
Any color and pattern. A very popular plot is a girl and a boy.
Children like this option. “Costumes” and “faces” can be painted in any style, even from different eras. For a flower bed, you should not paint the barrel with plants. It is better to choose geometric patterns, animals or birds.
Garden houses are the second popular option where a painted barrel is used. You can store garden tools in it. Inscriptions on the barrel can be made with paint on pieces of linoleum.
Useful tips
In addition to following the painting technology, you need to know some nuances. First of all:
- A freshly painted barrel should not be brought into a living space. Either leave it outside or put it in a shed.
- Do not try to exactly reproduce a drawing you saw somewhere. Better add your creative imagination to create a unique masterpiece.
- Choose the complexity of the drawing according to your capabilities. This process should not bore you.
- Be sure to ensure that the dye matches the material you are applying it to. Choose only moisture-resistant paints.
- To preserve the decor on the barrel longer, coat the top with clear varnish.
- Do not carry out construction or household work with solvents and acids near a painted barrel. If you are careless, you can ruin the drawing.
Painting a barrel at the dacha with your own hands is not difficult at all. Children can also participate in this process. They will suggest their fairy tale fragments and help bring them to life. Use contrasting solutions. Paint the barrels in different bright colors, and then the dacha will always be light and cozy.
Painting options:
