Okay, let me tell you how this whole thing came about.
Getting Started
So, the old bin in my office was looking pretty beat up. Seriously, it was time for a change. I looked around online and in stores, but nothing really jumped out. Everything was just… plain. I wanted something with a bit more personality, you know? And then it hit me – I’m a huge Lakers fan, why not make one myself? Seemed like a fun little project for the weekend.
Finding the Stuff
First thing I did was head down to the local hardware store. I needed a few basics:
- A simple, cheap plastic trash can. Nothing fancy, just a plain black one.
- Spray paint. Had to get that Lakers purple and gold, obviously. Grabbed some primer too, just in case.
- Some painter’s tape. You know, for clean lines.
- Clear sealant spray. Gotta protect the masterpiece, right?
I already had some sandpaper and cleaning stuff at home. Oh, and I ordered some Lakers logo decals online a few days prior, hoping they’d arrive in time. Luckily, they did.
The Actual Work
Alright, so Saturday morning, I got started. First, I gave the trash can a really good wash with soap and water. Let it dry completely out in the sun. Then, just to be safe, I gave it a quick once-over with some fine sandpaper. Just roughed it up a tiny bit so the paint would stick better. Wiped off all the dust afterwards.
Next up, primer. Took the can outside, laid down some old newspaper, and gave it a light coat. Let that dry for about an hour. The weather was decent, so it didn’t take too long.
Then came the fun part: the purple. Sprayed on a nice, even coat. Had to resist the urge to put it on too thick. Two thin coats are always better than one gloopy one, I learned that the hard way on a previous project. Waited for the first coat to dry, then hit it with the second. Looked pretty good already.
Now, the gold. This was trickier. I wanted a gold band around the top rim. So, I carefully applied the painter’s tape below where I wanted the gold to start. Made sure the tape edge was pressed down real firm to stop any paint bleeding underneath. Sprayed the gold paint on the rim area. Again, a couple of light coats. Patience is key here, folks.
Once the gold was dry to the touch – maybe after another hour or so – I carefully peeled off the painter’s tape. Came out pretty crisp! I was quite pleased with myself at this point.
Finishing Touches
The paint needed to cure properly, so I left it overnight. Sunday morning, it was time for the decals. I carefully positioned the main Lakers logo on one side and a smaller one on the opposite side. Followed the instructions that came with them – peel the backing, place it, smooth it out real good with a credit card to get rid of air bubbles, then carefully peel off the top transfer layer. They stuck on perfectly.
Last step: protection. Took it back outside and gave the whole thing two light coats of the clear sealant spray. This helps protect the paint and decals from scratches and general wear and tear. Let that dry completely for a few hours.
The Result
And that was pretty much it! Brought it inside, put a liner in, and stuck it right next to my desk. Honestly, it turned out way better than I expected. It’s not perfect, you know, it’s handmade, but it looks cool and adds a nice personal touch to the room. Definitely beats those boring store-bought ones. A pretty satisfying weekend project, I’d say.
