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Made my own cigar band mosaic humidor....

I got a little bored today and after seeing the humidor designed with what looks like cigar bands pasted all over it, I thought to myself "I can do one better". So I gave it the old spirited try and I'm quite pleased with the outcome. What do you think?

(^_^ )

***UPDATED PICS AS OF 12/30/08***

(I filled in a few spots and moved a few around...can you guess which ones???)

(^_^ )

Tags: Made, Martha-Stewart-would-be-proud, crazy-tons-of-bands-on-the-lid, humidor...., my, own

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Permalink Reply by Clay, lost in time & space on December 24, 2008 at 9:57am

Great Idea! I'm going to steal it and say you copied me! One question, did you use a regular humidor or a humidor style cigar box?

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Permalink Reply by ryoga81 on December 26, 2008 at 9:51pm

No, it's my primary (and only) humidor. Here's a pic of the original boring humidor before :

(^_^ )

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Permalink Reply by Mitch Bruser on December 30, 2008 at 3:25pm

Looks great! I am planning on doing the same thing...only on a table. How did you get the labels applied? Looking for the best way to do this.

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Permalink Reply by ryoga81 on December 30, 2008 at 5:09pm

I used Elmer's glue and a tiny paint brush. You could also use rubber cement, since it already has a little brush in the lid usually, but I like the Elmer's because if you make a mistake or it doesn't wind up looking right, you can very easily correct it.

Trim the bands' excess, usually just a white spot where they attach the two ends. Then, dab some glue sparingly, and use the brush to spread it to all corners. Brushing it evenly across will also help to straighten bands out for ease of application. Then, just roll something across the freshly-applied band to flatten it and smooth out air bubbles, like a plastic bottle or something fairly spongey. I used an Exacto knife to trim the edges after applying, instead of trying to cut them to fit....saves time.

I still have yet to seal it with a lacquer/varnish of sorts, but I'll think of something or let me know if you have any ideas for sealing it.

***Also, thank you to whoever made this a featured topic! If it can help people explore their creative side, all the better. (^_^ )

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Permalink Reply by Clay, lost in time & space on December 30, 2008 at 5:28pm

Lacquer is good, but beware, depending on how the band was printed, it may smear. I would test the cheapest band you have and brush it roughly with your sealant of choice. If it don't smear, you're golden! I'm going to wait until it thaws a little to attack my humi. I want a good warm outside day for the lacquer to dry. My only other hint would be to remember urethane based products yellow over time, but are more durable.

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Permalink Reply by ryoga81 on December 30, 2008 at 5:41pm

I was considering using this stuff :

Buuuuuuuuuuuut :

With it containing Acetone, I'm worried not only about it dissolving the Elmer's glue and fading the bands' colors but also eating the finish of my humidor UNDER the bands. Your thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Clay, lost in time & space on December 31, 2008 at 7:36am

It shouldn't eat the finish, but bond to it. I think spray is the best bet, I would still test it. Here are some important things to remember.

Empty the humi and tape the seams closed. You definitely don't want to get that on the inside. While it won't ruin it, you would have to leave it open for the smell to dispell. (Think in days not hours.)

When taping the seams a trick I learned is to take the tape, stick it to a surface, them remove before applying to your humi. This will remove excess adhesive from the tape and minimize the risk of lifting off the finish.

Like the directions say, lots of thin coats with plenty of dry time in between. This will seal the bands, minimize the risk of running colors and you'll end up with a great finish. The acetone and toluene are among my favorite solvents, but as I said, if applied lightly you should be fine.

Final disclaimer. take a few spare labels, stick them to an old box, test it first. I don't feel like buying, or making you, a new humi. : )

as a side note, I think I'll start calling you Bruce as you remind me of Batman.

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Permalink Reply by ryoga81 on January 1, 2009 at 1:52pm

Cool, thanks. I'll definitely try the enamel on some spare bands to test before putting it to the humidor lid. (^_^ )

as a side note, I think I'll start calling you Bruce as you remind me of Batman.

hahaha...you mean from Batman Begins when he first goes out as Batman wearing a ski mask instead of his familiar cowl/cape combo?