Make a Planter Using Car Inner Tube

I think , the phrase 'best out of waste' is somewhat confusing at times. How can something be so waste that you keep it for years in your garage hoping that someday you would make something cool out of it. Isn't it? That's what I thought when I saw an old car Tyre inner tube (Yup! those were the days) hidden below pile of stuff that is too useless to keep inside home but too precious to throw out totally ...lol!!! . Almost 4 years have gone since I made this stuff using an inner tube and perhaps I saved one for this day.

So today my dear fellows I will show you how to transform an ugly inner tube into a beautiful planter that is super easy and fun to make.

Did I say "Make a Planter Using Car Inner Tube"? Yes, you got it.

You wouldn't need much stuff to make this one but then who can stop you from being super creative.

1. A used car tyre inner tube.
2. Glue that works with rubber.
3. A very sharp scissor .
4. A ruler
5. Some clear shoe wax.
6. Eyelets (Size 6)
7. Eylets punch and setter dye
8. Some sharp pointed object like screw driver (not in the picture)
9. Some heavy object to hammer punch dyes. I used a small household nail hammer.
10. OPTIONAL : An old belt buckle (You may found it in handbags etc.)

You may also skip the eyelets. I just think they look really cool and gives a touch like leather. Working with eyelets is fun but practice a bit on a small piece of tube before using it on the final product.

I have picked up quite a few images from last instructables that uses inner tube because most of the items that you would need are exactly same.

The thought that inspired the shape of my planter was the natural shape of the tube. Why is that? Because if I retain the structure of the tube without much cutting I would not be needing much of gluing/sewing.

Please see the images and follow:

1. Lay the tube as flat as possible.
2. Draw a freehand pattern as show in the first picture outlined yellow.
3. When you cut the tube along the lines, protect the tube from slipping scissors to ensure that we get a uniform cut of the entire tube. You may use cloth-pins to secure tube.
4. Once the tube is cut, you will notice that it will start to look like a tumbler used to pour something. But if you slightly change your perspective you will see start to see the raised size as a support for hanging the planter.

Cleaning the Tube

Turn the shape inside out and wash it using some detergent to clean the powdery stuff, dry it using a cotton cloth.

Covering the bottom

We have achieved 90% of the shape of our planter lets cover the base and make it 100%.

1. Roughly measure the diameter of the bottom.
2. Cut a small portion of the left over tube similar to the diameter. (Wash it before you proceed.)
3. Outline the bottom of the planter on this piece and cut a circle. Trust me you do not have to be accurate here. But you might have to try 2-3 time to cut a circle that fits the bottom. It's okay.
4. We will glue the planter's bottom from inside and the circular piece to cover the bottom.
5. As per the instruction of the glue, I applied thin layer on both the surfaces and left it for 15 mins before sticking together.
6. Start sticking the two piece together from one end as shown in the images trying to match the edges, then slowly stick in circular motion covering the entire bottom.

In my humble opinion covering the bottom was the only tricky part in this project but you got that right :)

The nest step is all about adding style to this piece.

I hope by the time you reach this step you had already practices punching the eyelets. Don't get stuck , the punching might be addictive :)

After covering the bottom, a nice edge will be formed due to the joins forming a firm base of the planter. Punching eyelets will serve two purpose here:

1. Styling and decorating the planter.
2. Securing the bottom so it doesn't fall off, just in case

See the images above and follow:

1. Before you punch or set the eyelet , place another discarded piece of tube below to avoid damaging the dye.
2. Using the eyelet punch make holes as shown in the images above at equated distance which in our case is 1cm (You don't have to measure, just take a guess)
3. Once you have punched the holes around the edges, it is time to set eyelet.Insert an eyelet from outside the base into holes, flip side, place eyelet setter on the eyelet and hammer it to set & secure eyelet.

Images 2,3 and 4 actually shows the process of punching more clear. I shot those photos specially to show the process because I was unable to take photos while punching the base of the planter.

More styling

You planter is ready if you wish to stop here. But I want to make it a little more versatile by making it a standing as well as hanging planter. Remember the optional belt buckle, we will secure it using the eyelet on the raised portion of the planter.

Here's how:

1. Cut a small strip of the tube that may fit the buckle, about 3 inches long.
2. Pass it through the buckle and stick it using an eyelet. even better if you glue it first and then punch an eyelet.

Note: Punching through 3 layers of tube might be difficult so you may punch the buckle strip using two eyelets , one from the back and one from the front, so only the front eyelet is visible

Simpler alternative: Don't have a buckle? Punch two eyelets on the raised side and pass a string through it to make a hanging mechanism. See the last image.

It's done. Yes it is. You made it. But you want to do more...right? Lets do one last finishing touch.

Grab that natural shoe wax and rub it nicely on the surface of the planter. This will make it look more black and polished. Don't worry about the inside, just ensure that you apply on the raised side too.

Tada!!!!! I bet if you show this to someoe, they would not believe that it is made using an inner tube. So show off :).

You can place it on a surface and you may also hang it. Versatile. Isn't it ? :)

About using the planter:

1. You may put some potting soil directly and grow your favorite plant but then you have to ensure some water drainage but cutting a few holes at the bottom.
2. Alternatively you may use it as a planter cover and put a small pot inside it. This will be easier to manage.

I hope you enjoyed reading this instructable. Should you have questions or feedback, please do share in the comments below.

This instructable appears in Planter Challenge Contest (the vote button is below), please do vote. I would appreciate that.

You are awesome!!.

Stay Tuned :).