Give An Old Set of Blocks a New Life!

Left, I've even added a few unique pieces to this collection like this wooden castle craft that originated from
 a Home Depot kit. It was marked up but a bit of new primer and fresh paint makes it a charming addition
 to our family block collection. Right, you can see that I used many different shapes and sizes of blocks
to include in this DIY toy block project.

Preparation of surfaces.

       All woodwork must be sanded and thoroughly dried before any paint is applied. Care should be taken to see that all sharp surfaces and edges are smoothed to the touch so that a baby or small child does not get cut or poked with a splinter while playing with the blocks. You may wish to apply a primer first to your block surfaces prior to painting them depending upon the wear of their surface areas.

       After the priming coat of paint is dry, putty up all knot holes, dents and cracks, and other defects on the surface of your blocks.

Left, are the sizes and styles I was able to collect from resale. Right you can see how I laid the blocks out
 inside of a deep cardboard box before spray painting many of them. I also painted my blocks
 with a brush and acrylic paint sometimes. I use what was on hand to complete the project.

Application of Paint.

       In applying the paint to the toy the first coat should be thinned. This will act as a kind of primer or undercoat for the succeeding coats of paint. Care should be taken that plenty of time is allowed between coats for the paint to dry completely. Three coats of paint will produce a good finish.
       I used a variety of enamel and acrylic paints that I already had purchased for previous craft projects. This is a great way to use up all kinds of paint that you may have tucked away in cupboards and drawers around the house. Try to use water based paints for easy, nontoxic application. I will, however, seal the painted surfaces by coating them with a wood varnish. This will help prevent chipping; wooden blocks take lots of tumbles while in use!

So many colors of blocks: rose, rust, red, orange, magenta, grey, pink, purple, brown,
lighter versions of purple, ocher, green, orange and four different blues, yellow ect...

  Varnishing.

       Two or three coats of varnish will produce a very durable finish. The first coat of varnish ought not be quite as heavy as the succeeding coats. If the varnish is of extra heavy body it should be reduced slightly for the first coat. The best varnish reducer is thin varnish. The prepare this reducer, take one part varnish (the same varnish to be reduced), and two parts of turpentine. Shake these together well and let stand twenty-four hours before using. This will reduce the consistency of the varnish without tearing down the body as pure turpentine would. The first coat of varnish should be allowed to dry thoroughly before the second is applied.

This collection is sure to please any small aspiring architect!

Points on Varnishing. 

1. The less varnish is worked under the brush the better its luster
2. Use clean brush and pot, and clean varnish. See that the surface is clean before beginning to varnish.
3. Allow a coat of varnish plenty of time for drying until it becomes hard.

More Tips for Prepping & Painting Blocks:

• How to make a sanding block for wood projects
• DIY Wooden Building Blocks
• DIY Wooden Blocks - Easy Wood Toy
• Finishing Wooden Building Blocks with A Hot Marks Iron