Cooler painting (as in "the painting of coolers")

[IUHoosiergirl88]

There's a facebook group dedicated to these puppies (Cooler Connection)--quotes, designs, tips/tricks, troubleshooting, etc. I made one for myself just to see how it worked and it takes a while to get the hang of it. It took me about a month to finish it last summer since the trick is to mod podge the whole thing after every layer so it is less likely to chip, and when it does, it takes off less of your design. I would do a section/layer and then modge podge and wait a day or two for it to dry. They aren't super time intensive in the sense that it doesn't take that long to paint on the designs, but it's the 'down time' in drying that takes forever

[ChioLu]

Can't believe the time taken to design & paint is for a guy (& a date weekend).
Seems like all the hours involved of crafting a cooler masterpiece would be really appreciated for something like Big/Little Sis Reveal.

[AGDAlum]

Originally Posted by alum

I don't understand how these cooler painters who are presumably in college to study have time to make these creations. .

They spend a month or more planning, then building, homecoming decorations.

I made my first quilt, all hand-stitched, when I was in college. (Actually in grad school, but I lived in the chapter house.) That was 39 years ago I still have the quilt and use the degree.

[chi-o_cat]

I'm glad these were not a thing when I was in college. I'm just not that artistic, and I'm sure whoever ended up getting a cooler I painted would have been disappointed!

[Old_Row]

I am shocked that people don't do this everywhere!

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

I'm a little surprised by all the elephants and political stuff on the coolers in the OP link. Not surprised that the recipients and artists are proud Republicans, just that they would want a comparatively serious/weighty theme on a gift that's all about kicking back with a cold one on a weekend trip. A marketer would say that I misjudged people's relationship to this brand.

At least one of those elephants is "Big Al" - The Alabama mascot.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Old_Row

I am shocked that people don't do this everywhere!

Well, for starters, I'm not even sure people would know what to do with a cooler at many schools, i.e. anywhere that tailgating isn't really a thing.

Or is there some other use that is eluding me right now?

(They're still awesome, though...I have a rolling cooler that's been used many times in my post-collegiate life)

[ChioLu]

Waiting to see a custom, motorized cooler.


Almost did a marketing promotion for a bottled water brand using this scooter-cooler. You can send in your logo & the company will customize it for you.

I realize I may have given some women an expensive idea, but please note that you CAN get a DUI driving one of these if you are over the limit.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Well, for starters, I'm not even sure people would know what to do with a cooler at many schools, i.e. anywhere that tailgating isn't really a thing.

Or is there some other use that is eluding me right now?

From what I’ve seen, they are not just used at school related events (tailgates, house parties etc.), but anywhere one would use a cooler. And in the South, there are lots of opportunities for a cooler – especially in the summer.

[NCSigma]

So what do you do if you end up at the end of your college career with multiple painted coolers?

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by NCSigma

So what do you do if you end up at the end of your college career with multiple painted coolers?

Party at the lake.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by alum

Pledge moms (similar to the old-school Little Sisters)

Um NO. Unless they are all attached to one fraternity and have a pledging program, they ARE NOT.

This whole cooler painting thing is stupid. If we would have given guys those, they would have said "Why the @#$% did you waste money on this crap when you could have spent it on alcohol?"

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by 33girl

This whole cooler painting thing is stupid. If we would have given guys those, they would have said "Why the @#$% did you waste money on this crap when you could have spent it on alcohol?"

According to my nephew, the coolers come filled with beer - allegedly.

Now when I was an undergrad, the coolers I saw (and used) were white styrofoam coolers. And the “really cool" ones might have a decal (school logo and/or GLO letters) slapped on it.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by TSteven

According to my nephew, the coolers come filled with beer - allegedly.

But even so....if you didn't buy puffy paint YOU COULD BUY ANOTHER 6 PACK.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by 33girl

But even so....if you didn't buy puffy paint YOU COULD BUY ANOTHER 6 PACK.

Ha, that's true...I wonder if men think they are cool, or just pretend to because the women put so much time into them.