http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/archive/index.php/t-291877.htmlAccording to this page, this woman cannot take apart her IKEA abacus either. However, I pulled up another google search which returned a forum post that MAY say that it's possible with a hammer, but the full post won't load and is no longer on the site even when searched directly. I will include it as an attachment below.
Hypothetically , let's say it cannot be disassembled. What I would do it gather up some masking tape and spray paint ideally, and a Mr. clean magic eraser if necessary at the end. This will be a bit of a pain but its possible to do. (just a little time consuming.)
1. Use masking tape to cover the rods that the beads are strung on. Slide all the beads to one side and wrap the metal or wood horizontal rod. Slide them to the other end and repeat.
2. Cover any and all bases and side of the abacus in masking tape as well. The ONLY thing that should be exposed is the beads.
3. Tape off HALF of the beads, leaving only 50 exposed, of the first color you want to paint.
4. Spray those beads with spray paint. Separate with a tooth pick or barbeque skewer as needed so they don't dry stuck together. Reapply a second coat if needed.
5. I would probably wrap the newly painted beads in paper power or paper BEFORE putting masking tape on it, just in case it leaves a sticky surface or tries to take the new paint off along with the tape after all your hard work. So first add a protective layer of something then masking tape off the newly painted beads. After covering the freshly painted beads, UNCOVER the beads that still need to be painted.
6. Paint your second color beads with 1 or 2 coats as needed.
7. Once dry, carefully remove all of the tape and voila! Your masterpiece is complete. If you got paint on the metal rod or elsewhere, use a magic eraser to take it off. They work on just about anything, but go lightly to try not to damage the surface any more than necessary.
Thanks for that. Better get some paint!
Digg
