Thread: Small prop how to - Rusty Padlocks

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This is a simple how-to on making a rusty padlock prop.
Materials required:

Scrap piece of Styrofoam
Pencil or marker
Furniture/upholstery nails (dome headed) or similar
Short length of flexible tubing or similar
Fine grain sandpaper
Acrylic paints in Black and brown tones

First of all, you can do an internet search for images of an old padlock to get an idea of the shape of padlock you want
For this how-to I have used a classic shape padlock, 18th century style



Step 1. Draw the shape of the padlock onto the piece of Styrofoam



Step 2. Cut the Styrofoam to shape



Step 3. lightly sand the Styrofoam, especially on the edges

Step 4. Cut out the keyhole shape using a craft knife



Step 5. Pin the upholstery nails in place on the Styrofoam

http://home.comcast.net/~uk_teejay/howto/lock4.jpg

Step 6. Using a pen or pencil, make two holes in the top of the Styrofoam

Step 7. Insert the two ends of the tube into the holes.



Step 8. Paint everything Black



Step 9. Sponge paint the lock with the Brown paints to give a rusty appearance



Here is another example of a different style lock made the same way



You can make the locks as big or small, and to any design you need using this technique, and use whatever finish you require

Very nice Herman!

This idea will come in handy!

Edwin

Great idea..Thanks.

Very cool tut!

In my search for better looking props I have come up with another simple how-to on making a padlock prop.

Materials required:

Scrap piece of Styrofoam
Pencil or marker
Furniture/upholstery nails (dome headed) or similar
Short Nails
Masking Tape
Spray Paint
Short length of flexible tubing or similar
Fine grain sandpaper
Acrylic paints in Black, Metallic Gunmetal and Red Iron Oxide

Step 1. Mask off an area of the Styrofoam, the size of the lock to be made
Step 2. Draw your design onto the masking tape (for this how-to I have blacked out the design of the lock)



Step 3. Cut out the design of the lock and remove the masking tape, leaving the taped design
Step 4. Lightly spray the Styrofoam with the spray paint - the chemical reaction will eat into the Styrofoam, leaving the design intact



Step 5. Once the paint is dry, cut out the padlock shape and remove the masking tape

Then smooth the edges with the sandpaper.

Step 6. Push the furniture pins in place, then push the nails into place



Step 7. paint the entire lock black



Step 8. Sponge paint the lock with the metallic Gunpowder acrylic



Step 9. Add the small length of tube by inserting each end into the top, paint black then sponge paint with the metallic paint



You can give the lock a rusty appearance by sponge painting with the Red Iron Oxide Acrylic



again you can make the locks as big or small, and to any design you need using this technique, and use whatever finish you require

Very nice Herman I am gonna give a try on these Great job and thanks for posting this!

You rock Herman!! Thanks for the tuts.

Nicely done!

Wow, nicely done. now that's a how-to I can do!

Great job. Nice tutorial. I need a new lock for my werewolf cage this year. Now I can do it. Thanks. JW