It's as easy as simply dripping and dipping.
Marbling, like hydro dipping, is a creative way to add a marbled effect to something. I decided to customize the handle of my Dad's hammer for fun.
Supplies and Stuff
Below are the items I used to prep and create a marbled hammer handle:
A hammer. I decided to use my Dad's hammer for creating a custom marbled design (with Dad's OK to do so).
Sandpaper and craft knife. I sanded the wooden handle to remove most flaws. I used a craft knife to scrape bits of sticker residue the sandpaper didn't remove.
Vinegar. I soaked the hammer's head in vinegar for 24 hours to remove residue.
Container. I poured the vinegar in a large, plastic container where the hammer's head rested for 24 hours.
Rag and paper towels. I used a clean rag and paper towels to dry the hammer as needed.
Cleaner. I used an antibacterial wipe to clean the hammer's handle before spraying it with paint and primer.
Painters' tape. The painters' tape masked the hammer's head before spraying paint and primer, and later varnish.
Paint and primer. Paint and primer prepared the surface of the hammer's handle before marbling.
Bucket and water. I filled a trash bucket with cold tap water for the paint to be dripped onto.
Paint (for dipping). I dripped Marabu Easy Marble paints onto the water for dipping and marbling the hammer's handle.
Acrylic paint. I used black acrylic paint to mask flaws that resulted from the marbling process.
Metallic markers. I drew simple shapes using Spectrum Noir Metallic Markers.
Varnish. I sprayed Krylon's Kamar Varnish to protect the marbled design.
Prepping the Hammer
I don't know how long Dad had this hammer, but it's seen better days. I sanded the handle to remove flaws such as scratches. The old stickers wouldn't come off during the sanding, so I simply peeled them off the best I could. I used a dull craft knife to scrape the remaining sticker residue off the handle.
I read a blog post on How to Remove Rust From Hammers and gave some of it a try. I say "I gave some of it a try" because I didn't follow the steps exactly.
The post suggested having a glass jar, wire brush or aluminum foil, and two clean rags. I only used an old plastic container to soak the hammer's head. I also used one clean rag and paper towels to wipe it dry. I completely forgot about scrubbing any remaining rust with the aluminum foil.
Fortunately, soaking the hammer's head in vinegar for a full day worked well. I used the clean rag to wipe the residue and vinegar off. I rinsed the hammer's head under running water for a minute, and then I used paper towels to dry it again.
I cleaned the hammer with an antibacterial wipe. I probably didn't have to do that since I'd just rinsed the hammer, but I didn't think it'd hurt to do so. I masked the hammer's head with painters' tape before taking it outside to spray a single coat of Rust-Oleum's white paint and primer.
Dipping the Handle
I filled an old trash bucket with cold water from the bathtub faucet. Unlike spray paint typically used for hydro dipping, the paints I used doesn't emit strong fumes. I turned on the bathroom vent as an extra precaution because it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side.
I used Marabu Easy Marble paints. I bought a starter set (package pictured above) from my local Hobby Lobby a couple years ago. I used a coupon for a discounted purchase price, but it's available through different retailers for about $20 USD.
I decided to use red, blue, and black for this marbled project. I wasn't sure if I'd like these colors used together. Then I remembered it was Dad's hammer, so I didn't give the color choices more thought.
I dripped several drops of each color over the water. If I wanted to, I could've used a skewer to swirl the paint pattern. Since I wanted to do this as a quick, fun art project, I didn't worry about the pattern. It's recommended to work with the paint quickly before it thickens over the surface of the water.
I slowly dipped the hammer's handle through the layer of paint. This allowed the paint to cling to the handle as I lowered it into the water. I pulled the handle out of the water quickly.
Unfortunately, I didn't push the paint away from the handle before pulling it out of the water. It's recommended by the company and many who hydro dip to push the excess paint away, either by using an object to remove the paint or blow the paint away from you, before pulling the object out. Doing so prevents the paint colors from overlapping, potentially producing unwanted marbled results.
After I pulled the handle out of the water, I dried it with a paper towel and let it sit for about ten minutes before handling.
Adding Decorative Elements
Because I didn't push the paint away before pulling the handle out of the water, some paint overlapped just below the eyes of the hammer's head. I applied black acrylic paint to mask that overlapped area. I also applied black acrylic paint on the bottom of the handle.
The areas I painted looked plain compared to the marbled effect. I decided to use my Spectrum Noir Metallic Markers to doodle basic shapes onto the handle.
Protecting the Finished Design
I masked the hammer's head again with painters' tape. I then sprayed a single coat of Krylon Kamar Varnish over the handle. I let it dry for a day under the sun. It remained tacky to the touch for another couple of days.
My Thoughts
Since I started this blog, I've enjoyed customizing surfaces and objects I never would've considered decorating. Dad's hammer was no exception.
I'm glad I decided to use my marbling paints. It's quick to do, leaving me more time to focus on other tasks.
What's Next?
There are a few simple projects I'd like to do in the next few days. I want to keep things short and simple so I can devote time to declutter and reorganize my house. Hopefully, I don't procrastinate and put things off another week.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam