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Top and Bottom Tips

Learn how to finish the coat rack by applying the top and bottom tips.

From "Freeform Furniture"
episode DFFF-207

Host Amy Devers puts the finishing touches on the top and bottom tips. She applies a special primer to the tips to avoid any plastic from peeling off. Once the primer dries, she starts dipping the tips in plastic. After she does two coats and allows the plastic to dry, the coat rack is complete.

Amy creates this one-of-a-kind coat rack.

Room: Before

Room: After

To finish the coat rack, Amy applies plastic to the tips and bottom.

Figure A

Figure B

Materials:

steel rods
face shield
earplugs
tubes
gloves and leathers
dark goggles
wire brush
abrasive coated sponge
degreaser
tan enamel spray finish
primer
respirator
oil-based primer
synthetic brush
plastic dip
ruler
melamine box
paper funnel

Tools:

jig
blowtorch
clamp
chop saw
vice
stand with a roller
TIG welder

Top and Bottom Tips

You don't want the plastic to peel off the steel so you need to put on a coat of primer that is made specially for plastic dip application. It needs to be applied everywhere you will dip the steel in the plastic.
Use a synthetic brush to dab on a heavy yet even coat of the opaque primer around the bends of the arms and feet.
Note: The custom primer, which came with the plastic dip, contains chemical compounds that will allow the plastic to soak on and dry to the steel rods.
Once the primer is on, let it dry for two hours.
Once the primer is dry, it is time to start dipping in plastic. The first thing you need to do is give yourself a mark on the top of each of the arms in about 1-3/4". That will be the gauge on how far to dip each part. Grab a ruler and mark a line on each of the arms and feet (figure A).
Note: Plastic dip is actually a multi-purpose rubber-like coating that when it dries it doesn't chip, crack, or become brittle. It comes in a number of different colors and sizes. A gallon costs approximately $50.
Safety Tip: If you don't have an extremely well-ventilated area, you might want to put on a respirator.
Mix a ratio of ten percent thinner in the can with the plastic compound. The thinner is included with the plastic dip and its solvents form a vehicle for the plastic to dry to it. The thinner will evaporate after the plastic dip dries.
Pour the mixture through a paper funnel and into custom made melamine box. The size of the box allows for easy application.
With the coat rack propped against a work table, move the box up and around the bends. Insert one inch of metal at a time (figure B) and hold it for five seconds to insure the plastic bonds to the steel rods.
Note: For the best results, avoid plastic dipping in direct sunlight and high humidity.
Dip two coats on each arm and foot and allow 30 minutes to dry between each of those coats. Allow the tips to dry for a total of four hours.