Faux Fordite Layered Paint Ring

I’ve always liked the look of Fordite Jewelry, but never actually gotten around to buying a chunk of it to work with; but since I work with spray paint and varnish a lot, I have access to over 12 years of paint buildup. I decided to try and see if I can make a ring from the layers and layers of normal paint and varnish.

Supplies

A Chunk of Layered Paint , and varnish (mine was 2/3'' high and 2" squared)
A Frostner drill bit (the diameter you want the inside of your ring to be.)
A Bandsaw ( you can use a scroll saw, hack saw, or even a belt sander but that isn't recommended)
A Belt Sander (or/and a rotary tool)
Walnut veneer (or any type of wood you want)
CA glue, and activator
Sandpaper (I used 80, 120, 320, 400, 600)
Buffing polish and a soft cloth

You will need a dust mask, and safety glasses as the paint dust can be very irritating, so be careful, and stay safe.

Getting the Paint

I used a putty knife and a hammer to carefully chisel of a chunk of the paint buildup on my work station, you have to be gentle and go slowly as the layers are prone to cracking and coming apart.
In the end I had a decent sized chunk to work with.
It will have rough edges so square it of with the bandsaw ( or whatever saw your using)

Drilling the Inside Hole

Here I used A Frostner bit to drill a hole through the paint chunk,

Use whatever size bit will fit your finger, I found that the hole will be a bit bigger at the end,

I recommend clamping down your piece to a table. When drilling go slow and stop every now and then to clean away the paint spirals.

Unfortunately I did not get a picture of this, so the one posted is of another one that I tried adding the veneer before shaping, this didn't work well, as the paint chunk isn't flexible so gluing in the veneer left gaps that looked messy.

Cutting Down the Edges

Use the Bandsaw to very roughly shape the paint chunk into a circle around the hole.
Remember to be careful, as the paint flakes and cracks easy, keep it thicker then you’ll want your ring to be.

Smooth Down Edges

Use the belt sander to smooth out the edges until you have a nice circle.
If your ring is cracking or looks to fragile then skip this step, just move on to the next one.

Adding the Interior Lining

This step will give the ring some much needed stability, Fordite is hard so this isn’t needed but, the paint We’re working with now is both fragile and flexible not something that you want your ring to be.
I used a bit of 1” thick walnut veneer that I found lying around, mine was already bent.

(To do this you cut a strip of the veneer, sand down the edge, soak in hot water for 30 minutes, then bend it around a socket, tape it and remove, let it dry completely. )

Use a socket a bit smaller then the inside of the ring (just a bit smaller not much).
Wrap veneer around the socket, and glue it down with the CA glue as you go, two layers is best.
Cut of access veneer and sand down edge until smooth.
Sand down inside of the paint ring till the veneer ring fits inside snugly.

Cover veneer ring with CA glue and push inside, spray with activator and let dry for about 10-20 minutes to be safe.

Rough Sanding and Shaping the Edges

(Remember to wear a dust mask and safety glasses, I recommend gloves.)
Now that the ring is stable use the belt sander to even out the rings edges both the top and bottom, and to smooth and shape the sides, go slowly.
I found it best to work with a container of cold water next to my work space as the sanding gets the ring quite hot, just dip it in for a few seconds, then continue till it’s almost the way you want it

Fine Sanding

Now, start with the 80 grit sandpaper (dip sandpaper in water as wet sanding works best for this)
Once your ring is the shape and size you want it work your way through the other grits until the ring is the shape you want and perfectly smooth inside and out,

Be patient as it may take a while.

Finishing

Place your ring back on the socket making sure it can’t slide around.
Take the CA glue and apply a thin, even coat around the outside of the ring a toothpick works well of this.
Spray with activator.
Do this 5-8 more times making sure to get the edges as well.
Take ring of the socket and do the same to the inside.
Use the 600 grit sandpaper and wet sand until the finish is completely smooth,( it will still be dull)

Polishing

Use a buffing polish and a soft cloth the get the CA finish to a high gloss.
Be sure to get the edges and the inside as well.

Wipe the buffing polish away, and give the Finish a final rub with a clean, soft cloth. This will bring it to a final Mirror finish.

Finishing with CA glue can be challenging,(as it has no morals) so don’t feel discouraged if it takes a while to get it to the gloss you want, just keep practicing and you’ll get it.

The Finished Project

This is what my ring looks like, I’m pleased that this worked, and hope that yours will turn out as well.