Have a garage full of old saw blades — ones that are too dull to continue to be useful? If you are the current owner of what appears to be a hardware cemetery, you may be in luck because there are many fun art projects that can make use of your old blades and can be accomplished by artists of any skill level. While your old saw blade could certainly be used as a canvas to create some amazing artwork, it is important to consider the essential steps that must be taken to adequately prepare the blade for your masterpiece.
***remember that you are working with a sharp saw blade — be careful!
Ensure that the blade is free of rust
Hurrying to begin your painting, while not considering the rust that is still present on your blade, could result in in a mess and much regret after applying the paint. If there is any visible rust on the blade it will need to be removed before applying a layer of paint. Glass paper, steel wool, or a wire brush can be used to remove any rust or particulate.
Remove all of the oil and debris
While removing the rust, most oil or dirt should also come off but in order to ensure that paint lasts for a long time, you should make certain that the blade is completely clean. Grease and oil is easy to remove using mineral spirits or even white vinegar. Following the removal of the oil, simply scrubbing the blade with soap and water before letting it dry will ensure that your blade is free of debris and ready for the next step.
Prime the blade
After the blade is completely clean, rubbing alcohol can be applied to further ensure the cleanliness of the blade. The blade should then be left to fully dry before a paint-on or spray-on primer can be applied. Wait patiently (again) for this to dry while you get your creative juices flowing!
Background color
Once everything is dried, a clear coat or base coat of acrylic or enamel paint can be applied. This will provide a nice layer of color upon which you can add your design. Whether a light or dark background, it does not matter and is just depends on personal preference. An important thing to consider here is the quality of the paint — some of the cheaper acrylic paints are latex or water based, which are generally inexpensive and actually last longer than oil based acrylics. Again, wait to dry before starting your design.
Pre-paint design
If abstract isn’t your thing, you might want to do an outline of your design to (hopefully) prevent any mistakes. The best thing to use is something that will stick to the surface of the painted blade, like an all-surface pencil. You can lightly sketch out your picture before beginning to FINALLY paint!
You have all of your materials ready, right?
You should have gathered all of your required materials: enamel or acrylic paint, brushes, mineral spirits or paint thinner for clean up — along with a steady hand and patience. If you are looking for a cheap and creative way to add a little bit of glitter or a bright color, nail polish can actually be used too as it is chemically very similar to enamel paint.
*acrylics dry much faster than oil based enamel paints and might be the better option for impatient artists
Channel some Picasso and create your masterpiece
From a country themed landscape to an array of modern geometric designs, a long or round finest band saw blade is sure to look great when you have finished it. Take be sure to take your time while painting and ensure that everything dries properly before adding another layer. When you are satisfied with your creation, seal it with a final clear or matte layer of paint-on or spray-on varnish.
Creating art with items that would otherwise have been neglected or thrown away can be a fun and rewarding activity. Your saw blade masterpiece could make a great gift or household decoration. Hopefully these steps helped you prepare your old and unused saw blade for an amazing piece of artwork!
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson is a saw expert and works for Sawinery.net. Robert enjoys the power and precision of saws and loves to share his knowledge with those who are interested. In his spare time, he enjoys jogging.
