| Bowling Ball Art - Garden Spheres |
I have recently acquired a passion for turning bowling balls into
gazing balls or garden spheres. You may have seen them on some
Garden Junk forums where they are commonly referred to as BBs.
This page will be dedicated to the ones I make. Please note that I
am not an expert by any means, I am just posting how I make mine
and I will report back if I have trouble with them holding up well
outside. I suggest, you do more research if you want to make your
own. There is no right way or wrong way to make one, but since
there are so many variables involved, such as the kind of glue or paint
you are using, the amount you use and your weather conditions, what
works for one person may not work for another. I will always try
and post any new things I learn or any tips I may have that might help
someone else. And as always, if you have any questions or want to
add your own thoughts on the subject, e-mail me.
gazing balls or garden spheres. You may have seen them on some
Garden Junk forums where they are commonly referred to as BBs.
This page will be dedicated to the ones I make. Please note that I
am not an expert by any means, I am just posting how I make mine
and I will report back if I have trouble with them holding up well
outside. I suggest, you do more research if you want to make your
own. There is no right way or wrong way to make one, but since
there are so many variables involved, such as the kind of glue or paint
you are using, the amount you use and your weather conditions, what
works for one person may not work for another. I will always try
and post any new things I learn or any tips I may have that might help
someone else. And as always, if you have any questions or want to
add your own thoughts on the subject, e-mail me.
| General Guidelines for Painting Bowling Balls Click here for a Printer Friendly Version |
| 1. If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, bring your bowling balls inside for the winter. A dry storage shed is fine. Otherwise they could crack during the freeze and thaw cycles. 2. You can find bowling balls at garage sales, thrift stores and bowling alleys. Many times you can get them for free at bowling alleys or on Freecycle, all you have to do is ask. 3. The longer a project cures inside a controlled environment, whether it be painted or glued, the better it will hold up outside. 4. Always start with a clean and prepped bowling ball. Use rubbing alcohol or vinegar to get the wax finish off the ball. Sand lightly to rough up the surface, then rinse and dry the ball before painting. 5. Sit your ball on a coffee can or some other object to make it easier to work on. 6. You may want to fill the holes with concrete or wood putty filler. I will often fill the hole with aluminum foil, then just fill in the end with putty. Leave one hole uncovered if you plan on using rebar/re-rod to display your ball. 7. Use a paint designed for plastics, or use a plastic primer before painting. I find that spray paint is easier to work with. Always choose a paint that is rated for outdoor use. 8. Sealing a project with 2-3 layers of an outdoor polyurethane will help the paint job last longer. |
Here is my version of a copper
gazing ball, which I made in 2005.
I prepped the ball, used a plastic
primer first, then used a copper
colored spray paint. I finished it
off with 3 layers of poly.
gazing ball, which I made in 2005.
I prepped the ball, used a plastic
primer first, then used a copper
colored spray paint. I finished it
off with 3 layers of poly.
| See the Mosaics page for more pictures of this ball |
This ball was painted with
FleckStone spray paint. I
prepped the ball first before
painting with FleckStone. I
finished it off with 3 layers of
sealer especially for this type of
paint.
FleckStone spray paint. I
prepped the ball first before
painting with FleckStone. I
finished it off with 3 layers of
sealer especially for this type of
paint.
| General Guidelines for Mosaic Bowling Balls Click here for a Printer Friendly Version |
1. If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, bring your bowling balls inside for the winter. A dry storage shed is fine.
Otherwise they could crack during the freeze and thaw cycles.
2. You can find bowling balls at garage sales, thrift stores and bowling alleys. Many times you can get them for free at bowling
alleys or on Freecycle, all you have to do is ask.
3. The longer a project cures inside a controlled environment, whether it be painted or mosaicked, the better it will hold up
outside.
4. Always start with a clean and prepped bowling ball. Use rubbing alcohol or vinegar to get the wax finish off the ball. Sand
lightly to rough up the surface, then rinse and dry the ball.
5. Sit your ball on a coffee can or some other object to make it easier to work on.
6. You may want to fill the holes with concrete or wood putty filler. I will often fill the hole with aluminum foil, then just fill in the
end with putty. Leave one hole uncovered if you plan on using rebar/re-rod to display your ball.
7. There are a variety of adhesives that can be used, based on what type of material you will be applying to the ball. I find that
thin set mortar, construction adhesive, clear silicone or premixed concrete patch work for most things. Mac Glue, Plumber's
Goop and Silicone work well for glass. Make sure you have proper ventilation when working with glues, following the
manufacturer's instructions.
8. Always use sanded grout as it holds up better outdoors. Adding Admix to the grout instead of water will strengthen grout and
help to prevent mold and mildew. Mix the grout so that it is the consistency of a stiff brownie batter. Always wear a dust mask
when mixing grout to avoid breathing in the grout dust. It's easier to apply the grout with your hands on a round surface. Wearing
two pair of latex or nitrile gloves when applying the grout will protect your hands from chemicals and from getting cut by any
sharp edges. Apply the grout so that it gets in between all the pieces. This adds strength to the mosaic.
9. Allow the grout to set up for 10 minutes, then wipe off excess grout using a dry cloth or sponge. Allow grout to set up for
another 10 minutes, then wipe the ball down with a damp sponge, buffing the tiles as you go along to remove any grout film.
10. Have a bucket of water handy and use the water to keep your sponge clean as much as possible. Never put this water down
your drains, as any grout residue can set up in your pipes and cause a blockage. Pour any water outside and then wipe out any
grout residue that remains and dispose of it in the trash.
11. Sealing the grout is not an absolute necessity, but I find the grout resists stains better that way and lasts longer outdoors.
Sealer can be applied after grout has set up for at least 24 hours. Follow manufacturer's instructions, as they may be slightly
different depending on the brand you use.
12. Most of the supplies you will need can be found in the tile section of your home improvement store, including the mortar,
grout, Admix, and sealer. It's also less expensive then mosaic supplies found at craft stores.
Otherwise they could crack during the freeze and thaw cycles.
2. You can find bowling balls at garage sales, thrift stores and bowling alleys. Many times you can get them for free at bowling
alleys or on Freecycle, all you have to do is ask.
3. The longer a project cures inside a controlled environment, whether it be painted or mosaicked, the better it will hold up
outside.
4. Always start with a clean and prepped bowling ball. Use rubbing alcohol or vinegar to get the wax finish off the ball. Sand
lightly to rough up the surface, then rinse and dry the ball.
5. Sit your ball on a coffee can or some other object to make it easier to work on.
6. You may want to fill the holes with concrete or wood putty filler. I will often fill the hole with aluminum foil, then just fill in the
end with putty. Leave one hole uncovered if you plan on using rebar/re-rod to display your ball.
7. There are a variety of adhesives that can be used, based on what type of material you will be applying to the ball. I find that
thin set mortar, construction adhesive, clear silicone or premixed concrete patch work for most things. Mac Glue, Plumber's
Goop and Silicone work well for glass. Make sure you have proper ventilation when working with glues, following the
manufacturer's instructions.
8. Always use sanded grout as it holds up better outdoors. Adding Admix to the grout instead of water will strengthen grout and
help to prevent mold and mildew. Mix the grout so that it is the consistency of a stiff brownie batter. Always wear a dust mask
when mixing grout to avoid breathing in the grout dust. It's easier to apply the grout with your hands on a round surface. Wearing
two pair of latex or nitrile gloves when applying the grout will protect your hands from chemicals and from getting cut by any
sharp edges. Apply the grout so that it gets in between all the pieces. This adds strength to the mosaic.
9. Allow the grout to set up for 10 minutes, then wipe off excess grout using a dry cloth or sponge. Allow grout to set up for
another 10 minutes, then wipe the ball down with a damp sponge, buffing the tiles as you go along to remove any grout film.
10. Have a bucket of water handy and use the water to keep your sponge clean as much as possible. Never put this water down
your drains, as any grout residue can set up in your pipes and cause a blockage. Pour any water outside and then wipe out any
grout residue that remains and dispose of it in the trash.
11. Sealing the grout is not an absolute necessity, but I find the grout resists stains better that way and lasts longer outdoors.
Sealer can be applied after grout has set up for at least 24 hours. Follow manufacturer's instructions, as they may be slightly
different depending on the brand you use.
12. Most of the supplies you will need can be found in the tile section of your home improvement store, including the mortar,
grout, Admix, and sealer. It's also less expensive then mosaic supplies found at craft stores.
| Last Updated on March 6, 2010 |
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| These two garden spheres on Etsy. |
| Sold |