Use a shipping pallet to create outdoor patio art or a custom sign

Step 1

Choosing the right palette

For a rustic chic effect, it is best to choose a palette that has turned gray over time rather than a palette that is newer with a yellow finish. This will allow the gray wood to become part of the overall look, rather than having to paint the deck a solid color first.

Step 2

Design and painting message

Depending on your level of painting skills, use a pencil to trace a stencil on the deck surface or send in your design with paint and a brush.

Once the overall design has been painted and dried, either stencil letters or freehand lettering or numbers onto the boards.

Step 3

Measurement, painting and cutting of moldings.

Although most shipping pallets measure 4' x 4', shipping wear changes these dimensions slightly. Use a tape measure to get exact measurements for all four sides of the deck.

Before cutting the 1x5 pressure treated trim to size, paint all four sides with the semi-gloss latex using the paint roller.

Based on the measurements, cut the trim into four pieces. Note that to get the proper finish, you'll need two of the sides to be slightly longer than the other two, creating perfectly even edges.

Stage 4

Once the two smaller cutout pieces are secure, use a drill to secure the longer cutout pieces to the pallet, slightly overlapping the others to create perfect edges.

Attach Setting

Use a drill and 2" exterior wood screws to attach the two shorter trim pieces to the sides of the deck.

Once the two smaller trim pieces are secure, use a drill to secure the longer trim pieces to the pallet, slightly overlapping the others to create perfect edges.

Step 5

With each of the two tubes through the 2â ???? Holes in joists, secure the pipe to the ground by tapping it into place with a hammer or rubber mallet.

Attach pipe and secure

In order for the signal to stabilize along the ground, you will need to create holes through the joists for the threaded pipe. Attach the 2” bit to the drill, then create two holes, one on each side of each of the two studs. With the help of a friend, slide the tube through the holes.

With each of the two tubes through the 2" holes in the joists, secure the tube to the ground by tapping it into place with a hammer or rubber mallet.

Rustic Blank Photography, LLC