Transform an old tyre into a toy shelf

27 Aug 2025

Transform an old tyre into a glossy DIY display shelf using Resene Waterborne Super Gloss paint. This is a fun upcycling project for kids’ rooms, playrooms or garage walls.

You will need:

• Resene Waterborne Super Gloss hybrid waterborne-alkyd
• Resene Membrane Primer
• Tyre 
• Wooden slats 
• Screws
• Handsaw
• Drill 
• Ruler
• Resene testpot brush

Step 1: Measure the wood to the spacing you require that fits your tyre.

Top tip: number each piece of wood so you know which order they need to be placed into the tyre.

Step 2: Handsaw each piece to size and double-check they fit well. If needed, sand any rough edges and wipe off sanding dust.

Step 3: Paint each wood piece with two coats of Resene Waterborne Super Gloss hybrid waterborne-alkyd paint.  We used Resene Blackest Black. Allow to dry.

Step 4: Paint the tyre with Resene Membrane Primer. Allow to dry.

Top tip: Resene Membrane Primer is a specially formulated pre-treatment to upgrade adhesion, both wet and dry, to rubber surfaces. This product paints on white but will dry to a transparent colour.

 
Step 5: Place the wooden slats within the tyre in their place and screw in to secure.

Step 6: Paint the entire project with Resene Waterborne Super Gloss hybrid waterborne-alkyd paint.

Step 7: Allow to dry before styling with toy cars and displaying on a wall.  

Published: 27 Aug 2025