Introduction: Broken Diaper Genie Turned R2D2 Toy Chest!

By That Redhead
About: Designer of things, Maker of weirdness and Baker of the macabre.
Sometimes Mom has to be the hero, and find a way to organize her kiddos favorite toys. Being a lover of up-cycling I was inspired to take my trash bound broken Diaper Genie, and give it new life as my son's favorite Star Wars character.... R2D2. Not only is this little guy fun to play with, he also serves a great purpose as the toy chest for ALL my son's Star Wars toys! No more "Where is my Darth Vader!" at 2 am....... a moms gotta do, what a moms gotta do. Let me show you how!

Step 1: You Will Need

  • Old Diaper Genie or White Trash Can
  • Silver spray paint
  • Painter's tape
  • Paint brushes
  • Modge Podge
  • Craft paint
  • Printed decals
  • Scissors
  • Painter's paper (or old wrapping paper like I used)
  • Drop cloth (Dollar store shower curtains work great too!)

Step 2: Prep Prep Prep!

Clean and dry you Diaper Genie thoroughly! Then tape off the top to be sprayed silver. Also tape the inside where any paint may land.

* Be sure to use paper as well as tape so that the rest of your droid stays white ;)

Step 3: Paint That Droid!

Lay down a drop cloth of some kind, and spray paint the top of your droid. I did 2 layers.

Let dry overnight.

Step 4: Find and Print Decals

There are MANY free sites with printable decals for your lovable droid. You can purchase them of-course, but printing them is FREE. You can be as specific as you like, I chose to do more of an interpretation (hard core fans please don't hate me) ;)

Step 5: Cut Out and Modge Podge!

Cut out your decals and Modge Podge them to your droid.

Let dry.

Step 6: Details!

I chose to paint the details, because I like to paint, but you could very easily use decals as well.

I did it free-hand, but you could trace your details first, if you prefer.

To make your droid more resistant to ware and tear, you can cover him in a layer of clear protectant spray as well.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Rescued Droid!

You did it! You made something awesome from garbage! You are an earth hero! And this droid could be used for a great many things!

  • Hamper
  • Party Prop
  • Shoe Storage
  • Dog Toys Storage

Keep your imagination alive, and the possibilities are endless!

Thank you for reading, and if you liked this Instructable, please vote for it!