How do I Turn A Car-Port Into Art?

[Blue Jester]

I just bought a car-port which I feel will work very well for my structure. but the problem is it looks soooo......borring. I know I want to turn it into art but the walls are like white tarps and I was wondering if any one knows what kind of paint would work best for painting it and where I could aquire sed paint. Keep in mind I have to roll this up every year and fear the paint will just crack off. your help would be greatly appreciated by me and perhaps others wanting to transform there drab structures.

[geekster]

You could possibly find a place that makes sails for boats to make you a custom piece of canvas the exact size you need and they can probably offer you tips on how to decorate it as many sails are decorated.

[Ranger Genius]

We're going to replace the tarpaulin sides of ours with large chunks of retired billboards. You can get those cheap from local billboard companies, and then make montages or just selectively crop them, add grommets in the correct places, and voila!

Here's a piece cut out for just general use (securing loads, blocking sun, etc. Add in as a factor that this stuff is at least twice as durable as the material with which your structure came. It comes usually in pieces about 18"X50" and you'll rarely pay more than $20, if you pay for it at all. That's another piece covering the ice shaver on the wagon. Our structures are also floored with them, under the carpet. Keeps the dust down really well.

[robotland]

I have experimented a little with Krylon's "Fusion" paint, which is formulated to adhere to vinyl, plastics and the like....It stays put on mesh truck-tarp and conventional tarps and so could be used to graffitti or stencil the white tarps that come with some carports and E-Z Up canopies. Rustoleum makes a plastic paint product as well. If you DO end up painting your coverings, you will get the best results in a warm or even HOT environment. A dry, sunny day is ideal, if you can find one!

[AntiM]

Heeeey lookie, home sweet home. There's also a chunk of biilboard vinyl draped over the trailer on the left to make some extra shade.

[cabiria]

Mine, I changed the side panels to heavier, thicker, multi-colored vinyl. (it was labeled "lobby banners", got them here in SF at SCRAP, total cost $15. Probably the same as billboard material, I'm guessing, and that's a great idea, by the way. I probably would have gone that route, had I known)

Sewed the panels together to make the sides maybe 8? feet longer, so now the panels slope and extend out another 5 feet on each side, making the interior space 20x20 instead of 10x20.

Grommets on top and the sides, strong stake loops on the bottom. Made 4 triangular pieces to fill in the gaps, front and back.
All the pieces attach quickly with bungees to the frame.

Then, on the inside, you can use the overhead bars for hanging things. All your clothes on hangers, for one great use, and last year I had 2 hammock chairs swinging from it. Those frames are strong >

And, since the sides are sloped, it's much more aero-dynamic for the weather out there.

Mine's clocked at least 70 days out there, in every extreme. Nothing fazes it, and it's still ready for it's next big storm.

[blyslv]

google "camo netting". It comes in wacky designer colours as well as camo colors. It's good to extend the open sides, it sheds wind and it flutters! It's also good on top, as it creates extra shade.

[AntiM]

We acquired some "snow camo" netting this year, all whie and almost lacy. Really looking forward to draping that around!