Water Drop Painted Jack Hammer Headphones by Bran
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Utilizing the techniques in both TimAnderson's Instructable on How to Make Jackhammer Headphones and AirbrushTricks's video on creating a Water Drop Paint Effect, I can listen to my music, clearly and in style.

The earmuffs were just a cheap, red pair sold in the Sporting Goods section of Wal-Mart. The headphones were some ancient, broken ones found around the house. The paint was just regular, enamel spray paint (glossy, not flat).

I first used electrical tape to protect the (synthetic) leather that is the cushion for your ear. I applied two coats of glossy black to the muffs, but you can use as many as you feel necessary. Remember, lighter coats are better than one thick one.

I then, using a sprayer attachment bought at Lowes, went over the muff four (4) times with a mist of water. I held the hose at a distance of approximately 16 inches. You can mist the muff until you life the droplet design. Four times over was efficient in producing good-sized drops, but it is a personal opinion, so find out what works for you!

After, I quickly sprayed white paint, from the bottom and at a low angle. This gives an effect of rising bubbles.

I let the water evaporate as much as it could until the sun set, when I was forced to use a hot lamp to vaporize the water. You can tell the water is gone when you see no more raised surfaces.

Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time; I didn't either. I had to repaint one side to match the other. (I overdid the white paint by using too high of an angle.)

When I was satisfied with the effect, I put on two (2) layers of clear coat. After it dried, I reattached the muffs to the headband and proudly displayed my creation!

These headphones work great, and would be ideal as a gift for people have a high-noise job (landscaper, for example). While I won't be giving away this pair, I will definitely be making some more with different colors and designs!

Happy Holidays!
matiasvalladao says: Mar 23, 2010. 5:46 PM
McLovin'!!!!
baneat says: Mar 9, 2009. 4:24 PM
Hey, it's McLovin'!
Yerboogieman says: Mar 27, 2009. 12:31 PM
I was going to flag that, but, It Is!
AirbrushTricks says: Apr 18, 2008. 10:18 PM
Killer job. It's a little tricky but realy cool once you figure it out. Your project looks absolutely killer.
Weissensteinburg says: Jan 15, 2008. 3:11 PM
Did you use an air brush with this, or spray paint?
Bran (author) says: Jan 15, 2008. 3:30 PM
I just used regular ol' spray paint; I can't afford a real airbrush yet.
Weissensteinburg says: Jan 15, 2008. 3:32 PM
Well I tried the effect out on two different pieces of plexiglass...let's just hope one of them turns out.

I'd like an air brush..but i've got other stuff I need to buy first =[
Bran (author) says: Jan 15, 2008. 3:39 PM
Well I tried the effect out on two different pieces of plexiglass...let's just hope one of them turns out.

Good luck! I had to redo one of the muffs three times, mainly because I'm pretty particular. One thing you definitely have to make sure of is that you paint at a very low angle (the white).

Did you have fairly small drops, or large ones?

I'd like an air brush..but i've got other stuff I need to buy first =[

Exactly my problem.
Weissensteinburg says: Jan 15, 2008. 3:52 PM
"Did you have fairly small drops, or large ones?"

Both
Bran (author) says: Jan 15, 2008. 6:03 PM
If it turns out, I'd like to see a picture!
Weissensteinburg says: Jan 15, 2008. 6:05 PM
Yeah..they didn't
Bran (author) says: Jan 15, 2008. 6:11 PM
Aww, do you know what went wrong?
Weissensteinburg says: Jan 15, 2008. 6:12 PM
The paint just didn't go on right.
Bran (author) says: Jan 16, 2008. 1:55 PM
Hmm, darn. It was enamel, right?
Weissensteinburg says: Jan 16, 2008. 3:43 PM
One was, one may have been.
LinuxH4x0r says: Jan 14, 2008. 5:58 PM
Nice! You got mad airbrush skilllz!
Bran (author) says: Jan 14, 2008. 6:05 PM
Thanks! Glad you liked it! I hope to post some more painting effects eventually.
GorillazMiko says: Jan 14, 2008. 2:56 PM
Nice job, pictures are great, but I don't see any octagons.
Bran (author) says: Jan 14, 2008. 3:53 PM
Thanks! I was worried the pictures wouldn't be up to par. Hehe, the octagon is coming, you just wait.
GorillazMiko says: Jan 14, 2008. 3:54 PM
Mine about the octagon will be up soon too. :-)
Bran (author) says: Jan 14, 2008. 4:01 PM
Alright, I'm looking forward to it!
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