DIY Tire Seats
This summer project has taken me awhile– but I’m very happy with how it turned out! Here is the quick guide to how I made my tire seats (which I plan to use in my classroom as a form of seating). These would be AMAZING in a reading nook! Please note this post contains some affiliate links for Amazon.
First, you must procure a tire (or tires). I found mine via Facebook marketplace– I got both for $5. But I’ve also heard a lot of tire shops will give them to teachers for free– so it doesn’t hurt asking!
I rolled both my tires into the driveway and gave them a good wash with a hose and bucket filled with water/Dawn dish soap. You can also use a degreaser– but I figured Dawn would do the job.
Then you have to wait for your tires to dry– including the water that got into the inside.
After mine dried I decided to prime them using Kiltz (the best brand?) primer– and a paintbrush. I quickly learned that if I wanted to get into every nook and cranny I should use spray paint.
After priming (and more drying)– I picked a color of spray paint and went to town. Make sure to do this on a drop cloth or in the grass– I always stain my pavement on accident…
After 2 coats of spray paint my tires were ready to go! You could easily stop here and put some round pillows inside the tires (like bucket seats). I decided to go one more step and create cushion tops.
To make the seats I had my lovely father (who has been so kind and helpful with all my classroom projects!) cut 2 circles out of a large piece of plywood. I already had this piece of wood in my garage because I am refinishing a table. The circles had 2 sizes– one fit exactly into the middle of the tire– and the other was about 2 inches wider around the outside.
Next, we put wood glue between the 2 pieces, clamped them together, and used screws to attach them. Make sure your screws aren’t long enough to go all the way through both pieces of wood and stick out. My wood was fairly thick– so I used 1.25″ screws– and they worked perfectly.
After a night of drying– the fun par was left! Decorating! I picked out a 1 yard of thicker fabric (an outdoor fabric would do well) as well as some foam.
I cut 2 pieces of foam to fit onto each wood top–
Put the fabric over the top– and stapled it to the underside.
Now each seat fits perfectly into the tire tops– and won’t fall off or into it! I am so excited to use these this year!
What is a summer project you’ve been excited about? Feel free to share or ask questions in the comments! Hope you’re having a lovely break!
Ok, my brain is sluggish today, so I need to ask a question that probably sounds silly. You said the seat will not fall in or off. I assumed the larger wood circle goes on top, the smaller inside. But if the student puts this at an angle to lean against-what keeps the cushion from falling out?
Hi! These are so cute! How much paint did you find that you needed to cover both tires? I'm looking to doing a similar project! Thank you 🙂
Maybe 1 can? I always buy an extra can just to be safe!
Love this idea, I would love to try it!!! Did your spray painted tires make it through the year? Did you have paint chipping?
Going on 2 years– and they still look great!