How to Make a Decorative Wall Border Out of Cds

Compact discs have many uses that most people are not aware of. The following project uses cds and inexpensive items like tacks and spray paint to make decorative poster borders. Teenagers and children love these borders as they are bright, colorful, modern and appropriate for music posters. I recommend that you use new cds, as scratched ones detract from the attractiveness of the finished border. A spindle of blank cds is relatively inexpensive and buying a larger spindle will further lower your cost.

In addition to compact discs you will need: plastic or newspaper to protect your work surface, spray paint in as many colors as you would like and two white thumb tacks for each compact disc you plan to use in the border.

Begin the project by laying out newspaper or plastic either outdoors or in a very well ventilated room. Once you have prepared your work surface you are ready to begin painting.

If you wish you may omit painting the discs and simply tack them to the wall with their shiny side out. The border will still look quite attractive if made this way, however it does not allow for much variation which can be a problem if you have more than one child who would like to make this project. If you choose to paint the cds feel free to purchase any kind of gloss or metallic spray paint you wish to use; matte spray paints yielded very poor results when I tried using them.

Depending on your preference you may simply cover each cd completely with two coats of spray paint. If you would like to add even more variation to the project try spray painting the entire cd with one color for the first coat, and then use a stencil and another color of spray paint to add a design to the disc. Also spray paint the thumbtacks (unless you prefer to leave them white) in colors that are complementary to your discs. Tip: to save time spray paint discs and thumbtacks for several borders at the same time.

Regardless of what design you wish to use make sure to shake the cans of spray paint well and hold them at a 90 degree angle while painting. Use thin even coats, preferably two. If you would like to make your cd border last even longer spray on a layer of glossy clear coat, after the first two coats have dried, to protect the disc.

Once the discs have completely dried you are ready to assemble the border. First hang up the poster or print you wish to make a border for and then tack the discs to the wall around the poster, using two tacks for each disc.

This project can also be used to make a decorative border for an entire room and the only thing you will need to do differently is prep many more cds. When your finished prepping them tack them in a horizontal line, at an even height, on each wall. You can tack the discs in a line either at the ceiling or halfway up the wall.

This activity is great for keeping either a single child occupied or for engaging many children or teenagers at birthday, holiday or slumber parties.