My friend's teenage son is part of a band. He loves rock music and plays the electrical guitar. For his birthday, I wanted to make a wall-mountable clock that would fit his interests.
Approximate Time: 2 hours
Supplies:
- one old 45 rpm single play vinyl record
- a printout of a photo of Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll
- pencil
- utility (Stanley) knife
- a 10/32 inch paint brush
- white water-based primer
- Paper Seal
- Deco Art glue
- Modge Podge
- water-based varnish
- hairdryer
- a pair of standard scissors
- a few sheets of old newspapers to protect the working area
- an old cloth
- a clockwork, with fitting clock hands
- a set of plastic numbers for the clock's face
- strong bonding glue
- one portrait hook
- one ear-bud
Instructions:
- Visit Wikipedia Elvis Jailhouse Rock for the photo, this photo is part of the public domain and is not copyrighted.
- Print the photo out on ordinary white paper.
- Position the record over the printout of the photo and draw a circle around the edge of the record.
- Draw a circle in the middle of the printout, the same size as the hole in the middle of the record, and use the utility knife to cut this smaller circle out.
- With a slightly wet brush, paint a thin layer of the white water-based primer over the one side of the record and dry it thoroughly with a hairdryer.
- Clean the brush, and then paint a thin layer of Paper Seal over the printout of the photo. The Paper Seal will protect the ink from running and will make it easier to cut out the printout without tearing it.
- Dry the printout of the photo thoroughly with a hairdryer.
- Cut out the printout of the photo.
- Paint a substantial amount of Deco Art glue to the back of the printout. Turn the printout of the photo around and put it in position on the record, but do not press it down.
- With the brush, spread glue to the front of the printout of the photo, lightly applying pressure so that it will stick to the record.
- Working from the middle of the printout, and from inside towards the outside, rub out all the air bubbles and excess glue from the back of the printout. Use an old cloth to clear any excess glue from the record. Use an ear-bud to clear excess glue from the hole in the centre of the record where the clockwork will be fitted.
- Use the hairdryer to dry the printout of the photo thoroughly and be careful not to use the highest heat setting on the hairdryer, as the vinyl of the record might become damaged.
- Turn the record around and cut off any pieces of paper that may protrude over the edge of the record.
- Paint a thin layer of Modge Podge over the front of the record. The Modge Podge will protect the picture and give the product a smoother finish.
- Dry the record thoroughly with a hairdryer, again ensuring not to use the hairdryer's highest heat setting.
- Repeat steps 13-14. You need to apply at least 3 coats of Modge Podge, but remember that with every layer, the direction in which the Modge Podge is applied, must be changed from horizontal to vertical, to horizontal, etc. Also, remember that after every layer of Modge Podge, the record must first be dried thoroughly with the hairdryer.
- Add a layer of water-based varnish to the record. Use the hairdryer to dry the record.
- Using strong bonding glue, glue the numbers in position.
- Fit the clockwork, but do not yet add the clock hands.
- Using strong bonding glue again, glue the portrait hook in position on the back of the clockwork and wait for it to dry thoroughly.
- Fit the clock hands.
By Benetta from Pretoria, Gauteng,
