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Make Some Yard Art with

a Minion^* Tank

#DIY #Craft #Upcycled #FairUse

If you know me, you know I’m almost 50 and love me some Minions^*!! I know, yeah I know, I’m a little weird, but who cares!!  If you’ve ever seen my Jeep, you know they are in the back, so they get to drive with me everywhere!

I something like this online and definitely wanted to make one!  My husband told me that his work has the tanks that they usually recycle when they get empty.  He said he’d bring one home for me!!  YAY!!!!  No more trying to figure out where to get that part of the project.  Now I just need him to bring another one home, so I can make a purple one!   The project was pretty easy to do, except for the painting – which I’m horrible at, but oh well.  Keep reading for the tutorial.

I hope you enjoy this craft idea.  If you end up making one, be sure and share a photo on my FB page, with what you come up with.  I’d love to see it!  I sure hope that you like the tutorial, and pray that you have a blessed day!

Please be sure to take the time to comment, and share this craft on your social media channels – thanks so much!!

Make some Yard Art with a Minion style Tank using #upcycled items! #Craft #DIY via #TigerStrypesBlog - Find out more at
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Materials/Tools Used:

• Empty R-134A Refrigerant Tank
• Sandpaper
• Stencils
• Cans (2)
• Spray Paint
• Marker
• Paint Pen
• & Time!

Instructions for the Minion Tank:

The project started by cleaning the tank that my husband had brought home, and then sanding the heck out of it, to remove the wording on the edges and glossy finish, to make it easier to paint.

Once the tank looked good enough to start painting the other colors, I got going on that.  Using some yellow spray paint, I coated the whole top area of the tank.  Knowing that I was going to be making the bottom a different color, I didn’t need to waste paint there.

After a couple of coats, and waiting for it to dry, I started on the bottom section.  I created some stencils and used some blue spray paint for the overalls.  There was a bit of overspray, so I had to do the best I could to clean that off.  I figured it was for outside, so it didn’t have to be perfect.

When the blue was completely dry, I used a large black permanent market to add some outline and decoration to the tank.  Again, I stink at drawing straight lines, so it’s a bit messy – who cares right?

Now I needed to add some eyes.  I usually buy some Moscow Mule in smaller cans, and figured that they would be perfect to make the goggles.  It was really horrible that I had to drink them first to use them! Darn! I cut the bottom portion off and made slits around the edges to fold that part in.  Be very careful when cutting thin metal, it’s ruthless!  Using some craft paint, I painted the “eyes.”  Then I used some Gorilla Glue to attach them to the tank.  Using a tie-down strap, I secured them to the tank to let the glue set overnight.  Being careful to not do it too tight and bend them.

After that, I used the large permanent marker to make the goggle strap around the head.  I just turned the tank around and tried to make it as straightest as I could.  The wind was blowing, so I think it made his goggles a bit crooked!   Yeah, that’s it!! The wind!!

Once that was done, it was ready to set out in the yard and enjoy!

What do you think of my Minion?  I hope you like it!  Please take a minute to leave me a comment on what you would like to create, and maybe if you have any tips on how to do it different, or better!

Be sure to tweet, pin, share, etc. – thanks!!

Affiliate links for Amazon are used on my site. This means that when you click on a link, and make a purchase, I earn a commission for that purchase. There is no extra charge for you, it’s just their sites way of saying thank you for helping them get a customer. I use affiliate links to help fund my crafting budget, as well as help provide for our home.  ^*Minion name used as fair use.  Item will not be sold and was for my personal craft purposes only. The Minions, Despicable Me, and Minion Made are all trademarked and copyrighted by Universal Studios.

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