Let there be light

Mark Rayner shows how to make a solar light into a distinctive wall feature.

You will need: Solar coach light with metal 'shepherd hook' hanger (ours came Mitre10 Mega), sandpaper, 2 lengths of 25mm x 50mm treated battening cut to 400mm and 50mm lengths, hammer and screwdriver. Drill with drill bits, stainless steel screw eye, 40mm stainless steel screws, exterior PVA glue, 40mm galvanised nails, paintbrush, Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, Resene Testpot of Resene Midnight Moss, Resene Quick Dry, Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect.

Note: Allow all coats of sealer and paint two hours' drying time.

Top tip: Solar lights need plenty of direct sunlight to charge up during the day, so put the lamp where it will get lots of sun.

To get the look: Mark painted the background shed wall with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Dairy Cream.

Step one
Lightly sand the top and base of the light to provide a key for the paint.

Step two
Apply one coat of Resene Smooth Surface Sealer to the top and base of the light.

Step three
For the wall bracket, partly drill a 10mm hole in the centre of the smaller batten piece and then attach it to the base of the longer batten length, as shown. Fix with PVA glue and 40mm nails.

Step four
Attach the screw eye to the other end of the longer length of batten, drilling a pilot hole first. Lightly sand the screw eye to provide a key.

Step five
Apply a coat of Resene Smooth Surface Sealer to the screw eye and apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to the wooden bracket.

Step six
Apply one coat of Resene Mediterranean effect to the wooden bracket and also to the top and base of the lamp, as shown. Dab the paint on to create a textured effect. Allow to dry.

Step seven
Apply two coats of Resene Midnight Moss to the base and top of the lamp and the wooden bracket and fix the bracket to a fence or wall with stainless steel screws. Drill pilot holes first.

Step eight
Spot prime and paint the bracket screw heads and then hang the lamp on the hook, feeding the pole end through the screw eye and fixing it firmly into the hole in the bottom of the wooden bracket.

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Resene Paints Ltd – www.resene.com