How to Decorate Frisbees

That's right, a metal pie plate.

William Russel Frisbie thought he was starting a pastry company when he bought a bakery in Bridgeport, Connecticut and renamed it the Frisbie Pie Company. He probably did not imagine that children would discover the empty tin pie plates had some promising aerodynamic capabilities and would become a popular toy. Today, the Frisbee is made of plastic and its wide, flat surface invites creative design. There are plenty of ways you can decorate your Frisbee using paints or markers, for your ultimate team, the local disc golf course or just for fun.

Things You'll Need

• 1 small piece of low-grade sandpaper
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 wet sponge with dish soap (optional)
• 1 lint-free cloth
• 1 thin, dry erase marker (use a color that will show up against the color of your Frisbee)
• 1 set of permanent or dry erase markers
• 1 set of acrylic or watercolor paints and brushes
• 1 set of stencils (optional)
• 1 can of spray paint for plastic (optional)
• 1 pair of rubber gloves (optional)
• 1 face mask (optional)

Instructions

1. Ensure that the surface of the Frisbee you intend to decorate is clean and free of any mud, dirt or lint. Use the sandpaper to lightly buff an older Frisbee to ensure a smooth surface.

2. Use the soap and water to take any grime or dirt off the plastic surface. Even a brand new Frisbee will need to have packing dust and lint removed. Dry the Frisbee with a lint-free cloth.

3. Let the Frisbee dry thoroughly before applying paints or using your markers. Place your stencils in the desired places if you are using them. Draw your rough design using the dry erase marker. Use the thin paintbrush for this design if you are using temporary paint or if you are confident with your painting ability.

4. Put on the mask and gloves at this point if you wish to limit your exposure to the materials you are using. Use the paint or markers of your choice to complete the your design.

5. Give your Frisbee plenty of time to dry before using it. Check the container of the paint that you used for specific drying times. Add additional decorations using glue or other materials only after the paint has dried.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint or markers can be permanent or temporary. Choose whichever one best suits your needs and budget. If you choose to add extra materials to your Frisbee, it will fly differently. Mix and match designs if you are playing on an ultimate team by letting individual players personalize a uniform design. If you play a game, like disc golf, that commonly utilizes rustic areas for courses and tees, you can give your Frisbee (or disc) practical decorations to help you find it.

• The type of paint or markers you chose depends on how long you expect the design to last and what kind of plastic your Frisbee is made from. If you want your designs to be permanent, be cautious when choosing decorating materials. Some kinds of waterproof, for-plastic paints are intended to be used on vehicles and homes but not toys, and can be corrosive to the light plastic usually used to make Frisbees. Test a small section of your Frisbee if in doubt. Be wary of the toxicity level of any materials you use for the sake of your family dog if it's the type that chases Frisbees.

References

• What Is Ultimate: History of Ultimate Frisbee
• Kylon: Urethane Plastic