Monday, April 18, 2011

Cooler Painting

Back home at last! We returned home from the beach around noon yesterday after a very successful weekend! A big custom with these fraternity weekends is to paint coolers themed around the weekend or event (formals, initiation, for your littles if you're in a sorority) so that you can bring your drinks, snacks and food easily with you! They are EXTREMELY difficult to paint. Whoever made this custom of painting acrylic paint on plastic was insane. Thanks to modern technology and the aid of several girlfriends who have done this in the past, my process was relatively easy. It started out looking like this:
Standard Igloo $18.88 cooler from WalMart

Then progressed:
And again:
And again:
And again: (it's like a butterfly)
This was the finalized top!! I was SO PROUD! Shane and I often call ourselves "Team Maryland" so when I started painting my cooler I knew I was gonna take the Maryland to an extreme! What's more Maryland-y than Old Bay Seasoning??
This was my madras front. I was most proud of this side. I'd never seen anything like this cooler so I was really excited to be very different from the norms!
This was one of my small sides! For this side, paint pens were key!
This was the back, it was a MapQuest inspired map to where we were heading! 

So now that I have one cooler under my belt, I'm tempted to make a list of things I wish I knew. Anyone have any tips to add? What you painted coolers for?

xxKatie

17 comments:

kSm said...

So cool!!!

preppyplayer said...

I love it! never heard of this custom- might have to start one similar but for soccer moms!!!

Gracie Beth said...

I am SURE you did this but one tip I have is to make sure to use a sealant on top!

Annie said...

WHOA - those coolers are great!!! You're so talented!!

Whitney Davis said...

Wowwww!!! The madras is amazing!!! I just finished a cooler a few weeks ago (fully documented on my blog, of course) and now I'm inspired to paint another one (even if there is no occasion in the near future...hahaha)

Bravo!

http://joyisstyle.blogspot.com

Michelle said...

AH just went to a fraternity formal this past weekend. Please give me ANY tips on how to do his cooler, pretttty please!

Ashley Lauren said...

ohmygosh I LOVEEEEE the madras front!! You did a fantastic job girly! I've painted lots of coolers for TX/OU weekend at Univ of Texas for the Red River Rivalry and they are so fun to do! Did you spray a polyurethane sealant to protect the paint from chipping or rubbing off?? If not you need to! xo

Helen said...

I love love love painting coolers!Formal season is by far my favorite! I just made a giant cooler for my boyfriend's birthday because I couldn't wait until his formal. I know you know this but DON'T FORGET THE MODGE PODGE ON TOP!!! We have ruined way too many coolers for lack of modge podge! I'm new to your blog but I'm obsessed already!

Sally said...

awww love it!

CapeCodCollegiate said...

Oh I wish we had this tradition at my school! I think it'd be so fun! It looks great!

Ps: so glad someone else is a "Beta Babe" :)

xx

Makenzie said...

I absolutely love your blog! So cute! Definitely a follower now!

Xoxo
M
http://makenziesmind.blogspot.com/

Mrs. B said...

i had an artist for a roommate in college and she used to paint my buckets for me! it was awesome. we did buckets instead of coolers, cheaper and much easier to paint. yours was awesome.

celinda_m said...

I LOVE this! I'm a Tri Sigma and I'm engaged to a Beta, so I naturally already love your blog. ;)

Unknown said...

This is so cute! The smooth coolers chip extremely easily, so make sure you put the top coat after you're done!

Brittany said...

So cute!!

I just found your blog today and I would love for you to check out mine and follow back! :)

bmaryandblessed.blogspot.com

Just Jess said...

Check out The Cooler Connection on Facebook. There are a lot of photos for inspiration and others are more than welcome to help. Stenciling designs on the color also helps the overall design.

LG said...

Do you sand or prime your cooler at all? Thanks!