Paint Your Own Basketball Goal

Turn a faded, dilapidated basketball goal into a piece worth playing on. Shows you how to paint on a stenciled logo.

Step 1: Materials

Ratchet and pliers (for removing backboard from post)
Sandpaper (for smoothing out and stripping the old surface)
Paint Scraper (for scraping off the pain, of course)
Spray paint (pick whatever colors you want)
Painters tape (for making the square)
Stencil (for your design)
Lacquer (to protect your design from years of jumpshots to come)

Step 2: Disassemble Goal.

Remove backboard from post. Unbolt the rim from the backboard.

Step 3: Remove Old Paint.

Start scraping and sanding the old paint off. Wipe with a wet rag when through to remove any leftover.

Step 4: Create Stencil.

I converted the Auburn logo to a line drawing using Adobe Photodeluxe. Print it out on cardstock and cut it out with a razor. Make sure you cut the right edges to create the desired effect.

Step 5: Begin Painting and Taping Off.

Prime the backboard with some spray primer and tape off where the square should be. I was going to use a regulation size square, but then I discovered my backboard wasn’t regulation size and would look funny with a huge square. Tape on the stencil.

Step 6: Lay on the Paint.

Lay on the first color of paint to create the border.

Step 7: Still Painting...

Tape off the edges and square, and add the second part of the stencil. Spray on the next color of paint.

Step 8: Paint the Rim

Hang the rim on a coat hanger and spray paint it to match the backboard.

Step 9: Clear Coat

Add a couple of coats of lacquer or polyurethane to protect your artwork.

Step 10: Reassembly

Reassemble the goal and put on a new net if desired.

Step 11: Finished!

Admire your work!