Let’s all agree that we, the humans, have crossed the line of binning the earth a long time ago and it is high time we atone our wrongdoing, and for that, there is no alternative to recycling. Thus, this piece will guide you to learn to make coasters from your spare tiles that is perfect for households and not only is it a great idea to save your hard earned money but also lets you do your part for mother nature. Moreover, we can present these to our loved and dear ones who will love the gesture and it will have sentimental value that no other gifts bought from the store; however pricey they may be. One thing to keep in mind is that coasters need to be waterproof. Sadly, most of the ceramic tiles converted to coasters are not waterproof!!, silly right? However, I will share the secrets to make coasters that are durable, waterproof and beautiful of course. It is pretty easy once you know how.
What are Coasters and why does it matter?
Coaster is a small mat for a bottle or glass of a drink that protects the surface of a table or any other furniture or on a piano where people might place their beverage. It is also used on top of a drink to indicate that the person is not finished with their drink. It also stops hot drinks burning the table surface.
Some of the benefits of DIY are,
- Since it is apparent that these coasters are quite handy to protect your furniture when you host a party where lots of drinks are passed around, it is good to know how these can be crafted by oneself at home.
- Also, if one can have the patience of making them in a bunch, they can easily start a small business that can be operated from home and sold online.
- As mentioned earlier, these can be used as a gift for some of the most special people in your life who will appreciate the personal touch of yours.
This writing is a bit lengthy only because I have broken down this tutorial up into small steps and contains a lot of photos. So, just following the steps mentioned below, you will be able to reach your desired goal of making waterproof coasters by yourself at home! ?
How to make Coasters: Materials
The basic step to cook a dish first thing we do is gather the ingredients and likewise, here we will also collect the needed materials before we delve ourselves into the process of crafting coasters from ceramic tiles.
Here’s what you will need,
Materials for tiles and decorating them
- 4 tiles each 4″ (10 cm) square
- Mod Podge or other white craft glue
- Paint brush for spreading glue
- Scrapbook paper*
- Pencil
- Craft knife
- Ruler
Decorating
Step 1.
Use scrapbook paper to cut out squares in order to fashion your tiles. Make sure that the tiles and cut out papers are the same in measurement.
Step 2.
Remember to clean the tiles and dry them first. This is very important. You can use the followings to make the tiles spotless,
- Alcohol Rubbing
- methylated spirits
Color the entire blank side of a decorative paper square with white glue or mod podge. Make sure to go right up to the edges. It’s a good idea to work on a piece of scrap paper that you don’t care about throwing out.
Plug the stuck bit of ornamental paper onto a tile. Press on it solidly to eliminate any air bubbles. I suggest utilizing a glass tumbler from the middle to the edge of the paper to remove any air pockets. The first occasion when I did this, I simply used my fingers. Despite being comprehensive, I left a few air pockets under the paper which I saw once the paste was dry. So, be careful about it.
Step 3.
Brush a layer of Mod Podge or white paste over the head of the paper. I like to brush all in a similar way. Hold up until the paste dries clear (around 15 minutes), at that point paint on another layer. This time at right-edges to the primary layer. It’s important that you totally seal over the paper with a stick, so later the stain doesn’t drench into the paper and stain it. Leave paste to dry for the time being, so it’s totally dry before you apply the stain in the following stage. Try not to stress if the dried paste has a furrowed surface from the brush strokes. At the point when you stain the liners it will make a wonderfully smooth surface and you won’t see the edges anymore.
The most important part: Waterproofing
Step 1.
Imprint lines at 1oz and 2oz (30 mL and 60 mL) on one of your expendable plastic cups. That is accepting that you’re making 4 napkins, every 4″ square. In case you’re making in large batches, you’ll have to stick to the directions on the Envirotex bundle for the amount you’ll require. The way in which I denoted the lines was to place careful measures of water into the cup (utilizing advanced scales) and imprint the level with a Sharpie marker. You could likewise utilize allotting spoons to quantify the water. Ensure you totally dry the cup thereafter. Another option is to purchase dispensable estimating cups that as of now have estimating lines set apart on them, however I figured I could simply make my own for less expensive.
Step 2.
put the Envirotex bottles in a shower of warm (not high temp) water to warm up. heat epoxy for staining tile coasters While the contains are warming, spread the edges of the base of your tiles with sticky tape, and trim any overabundance. This will make it simple to eliminate any dribbles of Envirotex later.
Step 3.
Pour 1oz (30 mL) from each Envirotex bottle into your estimating cup. Mix for brief utilizing a wooden paddle. After a minute, empty the blend into your second cup, and mix for 60 more seconds. It’s essential to utilize two cups this way since it abandons the unmixed epoxy on the sides of the principal cup. When blending, you need to mix sufficiently quickly to blend the gum, however, don’t mix so vivaciously that you make bubbles.
Step 4.
When you’ve wrapped up the Envirotex, pour it onto the middle point of your coasters. Attempt to partition it uniformly between every one of the four. Notice how every coaster is adjusted on the head of a dispensable cup to prevent it getting stuck to the work surface. The Envirotex will shape spreading puddles on each tile and begin trickling once again the sides. Try not to stress over the dribbles, they’re a typical aspect of the cycle. You need the Envirotex to totally cover each tile, so in the event that it doesn’t exactly venture into the corners, at that point utilize a piece of cardboard to help spread it. Also utilize a piece of cardboard to ensure that the Envirotex totally covers the sides of each tile.
Step 5.
Use a blow torch or breathe gently over the surface of every tile to remove the bubbles. 30 minutes later, utilize a piece of cardboard to wipe any drips from the base of the tiles. Hold up an additional 30 minutes and wipe away the dribbles once more. By this time, you will have dribbles of Envirotex epoxy everywhere on over your work surface. I trust you secured it with paper or cardboard! Use a layer of something (for example a huge cardboard box) to forestall dust arriving on the coasters and let the Envirotex remedy for 24 hours.
Step 6.
When the Envirotex has set, strip the sticky tape (which will be shrouded in dribbles of Envirotex) off the base of the coasters. If it’s difficult to peel off the tape, you may need to initially document the base edges of the tile with a nail record or sandpaper. Also, if there are defects on the outside of the Envirotex (for example regions that some way or another got missed), at that point you can “salvage” the undertaking by pouring on a second covering of Envirotex.
Step 7 and we are done!
As a finishing touch, connect the felt squares to the base of your coasters with paste or twofold sided tape. Some art stores even sell glue upheld felt which makes it excessively simple. You could likewise utilize a stopper board rather than felt. Here are the completed coasters, fit to be given as presents! The Envirotex coating fixes to original capacity and sturdiness around 72 hours (3 days) after pouring, at 70 degrees F (21 °C).
As I promised, here are your home-made coasters tiles which are waterproof, pretty, eco-friendly and filled with love with your personal touch as a great gesture for your loved ones. Additionally, I am sure that these finished products are potentially entrepreneurial if you play your cards right.
