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    Home Ā» pallet projects Ā» Gas Meter Cover | Outdoor Eyesore

    Gas Meter Cover | Outdoor Eyesore

    Published by Gail | Published May 27, 2019 | Updated May 29, 2023
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to disguise an outdoor eyesore such as a gas meter with a faux garden gate using pallet wood and more #MyRepurposedLife #pallet #repurposed #gasmeter via @repurposedlifeHow to disguise an outdoor eyesore such as a gas meter with a faux garden gate using pallet wood and more #MyRepurposedLife #pallet #repurposed #gasmeter via @repurposedlife

    It’s time for a challenge. The challenge? Build a project to spruce up your outdoor space! It seems like that’s all I’ve been doing lately for my backyard camper retreat. Today’s project is a gas meter cover—a decorative option to cover up this outdoor eyesore! Be sure to check out my friends’ projects at the bottom of this post!

    Outdoor Eyesore | Diy Gas Meter Cover

    how to hide your outdoor eyesore - your gas meter

    We all have them, outdoor eyesores. This is the gas meter that needs to be disguised.

    faux gate covers gas meter

    Isn't it perfect? I love it so much! Let’s see how this gas meter cover project came together.

    free pallets

    When it was time to figure out my project, it seemed like a no-brainer to make it out of one of these pallets left over from the deliveries during the backyard makeover.

    Shop My Amazon Storefront to See my Favorite Tools and Products

    duckbill deck wrecker

    I started dismantling the pallets with my Duckbill Deck Wrecker. Within an hour I had all three of the pallets separated and was well into getting all the nails removed.

    How to remove a stubborn pallet nail

    how to remove a stubborn nail from a pallet

    There were actually very few nails left in the stringers. When I dismantled the pallet for my pallet love seat bench I learned a new technique for removing stubborn nails. On that pallet, I was able to “unscrew” the nail with my vice grips. These nails would not unscrew. I twisted them around several times to break their bond, then pried them out with the vice grips.

    pry pallet nail from stringer with vice grips

    Luckily, these stringers were not notched, and they were smaller than most. They would be part of my faux garden gate that will be the gas meter cover.

    Easily harvest pallet wood

    how to take apart pallets

    Three pallets, all different in size. I didn’t realize that until I separated all the boards. For more great projects and tips, see my post Tips For Dismantling Pallets.

    all pallets are not created equally

    The length of the pallet boards was 36”, 44”, and 48”. I laid out the boards to decide which set I wanted to use for the gas meter cover project. You may notice the boards on the left are much thicker.

    design a faux garden gate to cover the gas meter

    I actually chose the shortest boards to make the faux garden gate.

    Repurposed crib

    vintage crib repurposed as a faux garden gate gas meter cover

    While looking for some spindles to make up the posts of the faux garden gate, I chose this old crib. The height of the spindles was what determined how tall the pallet boards could be.

    remove hardware from crib end

    First, I needed to remove all the crib hardware. I generally save crib hardware, but some of these pieces were plastic.

    click here to see more crib projects to inspire you

    Dismantle crib with saw

    use reciprocating saw to cut crib end

    Because I didn’t know how the saw was put together, I chose to use a reciprocating saw to dismantle it. Had I used a rubber mallet to separate the pieces, I may have had too much patching to do.

    crib end spindles

    You can see that I would have to patch the entire length of the crib end as well as some dowels. When in doubt, I prefer sawing.

    Test fit of faux garden gate

    test fit pallet boards and crib posts

    I did a dry fit to make sure the boards would all work together.

    modify crib post and finial

    After removing the finial on the crib end, I cut off the curve on the miter saw. But first, I removed the threaded piece in the image on the right.

    Assemble the gas meter cover

    kreg jig pocket holes

    Because I wanted a quick and easy project, I chose to use my kreg jig to drill pocket holes in both ends of all the pallet stringers.

    secure with pocket hole screws

    To leave enough reveal on the front side, I used a scrap piece of wood to raise the stringer off the table. I repeated this on both ends of all three stringers.

    Attach Pallet Boards

    exterior wood screws secure pallet boards

    Each pallet board was secured from the front with three wood screws,  one in each stringer.

    faux garden gate gas meter cover in progress

    Did you notice that I turned the crib posts upside down? Those are the legs of the crib posts sticking up. It doesn’t look much like a garden gate, does it?

    Cut arch to the faux garden gate

    arch top of faux garden gate

    Because I want the gas meter cover to resemble a garden gate, I made it have an arch like the pallet bench that’s on the opposite side of the backyard. I used the same twin headboard for this project.

    How to add dowels to crib finials

    add dowels to crib finials

    In order to give some height to the garden gate sides, I decided to add the finials to the top. Remember, this is actually the legs of the crib posts.

    This handy drill bit gauge is helpful to figure out what size bit I need to match the dowel. Using an Irwin quick clamp keeps my hands safe while drilling the hole into the wooden finial. Gorilla Wood Glue secures the finial.

    Paint Sprayer Tips

    paint garden gate gas meter cover with a paint sprayer

    Even though I wanted light coverage, sort of like a whitewash look, I decided that it would be easiest if I used my Homeright Super Finish Max. The paint was diluted slightly with water. I prefer to paint the back of my project first, then I turn it around and lean it lightly on the sawhorse.

    The adjustable spray tip comes in really handy on a project like this. I was able to switch from a horizontal spray pattern on the board slats to a vertical spray pattern while I was spraying the posts.

    Spray paint gate hardware

    spray paint gate hardware

    I spray-painted the hardware and attached it to the faux gate. It really changed the look of the faux garden gate gas meter cover.

    gas meter cover that eyesore with a faux garden gate MyRepurposedLife

    The little welcome sign is so much cuter since I put the new twisted wire hanger on it. Granted there are still more outdoor eyesores on the back of the house, but with this new gas meter cover, at least your eye has something pretty to focus on. Maybe my guests will not notice the other lesser eyesores on the back of the house.

    how to disguise an outdoor eyesore such as a gas meter with a faux garden gate MyRepurposedLife

    Thanks for pinning my project before you go check out the other great projects in this month’s challenge!

    Sharing here: My Wee Abode Tuesday Turnabout

    This project was featured at Homestyle Gathering via Serving Up Southern

     

     

    More Outdoor Projects to Inspire You

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    Gail Wilson
    Website | + posts

    Hi, there! I’m Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    • Gail Wilson
      https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/author/gail/
      Succulent Planters | rotted tree trunk pieces
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    About Gail Wilson

    Hi, there! I’m Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Julie Briones

      June 16, 2019 at 10:23 pm

      So glad you linked up! Don't you worry... I think many of us have our head in the clouds that weekend!

      Reply
    2. Crissy @ First Day of Home

      June 13, 2019 at 6:11 pm

      Wow, Gail! I have an old crib and was trying to figure out what I should do with it! This gives me some ideas! Pinning! Thanks for joining Tuesday Turn About! šŸ™‚

      Reply
    3. Cindy

      June 12, 2019 at 3:40 pm

      Such a great pallet project! We love to reclaim wood from sources just like this too šŸ™‚ . Your's looks just like a garden gate. The use of the crib legs/spindles was such a great idea! I am kinda a spindle-holic myself šŸ˜‰

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 17, 2019 at 9:23 pm

        heheh I get ya Cindy! I have buckets of spindles stored just waiting for their purpose! But none of them fit the bill for this project like the crib spindles did. They were perfect!

        thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, it's greatly appreciated!

        gail

    4. Julie Briones

      June 11, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      Gail, how smart is this? Such a cute 'cover', but a wonderful addition to your garden! Congrats on your feature at Homestyle Gathering! We'd love to have you link-up at Tuesday Turn About... we open today at 3pm PST.
      Will you be at Haven this year? I remember sharing lunch with you once last year. šŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 11, 2019 at 6:05 pm

        Julie,

        Yes, I'll be at Haven. I've never missed one yet! Hope to see you there! (though please forgive me if I don't recognize you)

        Thanks for the invite, I'll head over to link up!

        gail

    5. kimberlymast

      June 06, 2019 at 7:44 am

      Hi Gail!
      You're garden gate is such a neat idea! It's a great way to re-purpose a pallet, and I love how you used crib legs for the posts. The hook and eye latch and the cute sign are the perfect final touches. I found you by way of Talk of the Town. I would love for you to share this at Homestyle Gathering link party via Serving Up Southern.
      >>> Kim

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 06, 2019 at 11:30 pm

        Thank you Kim! I sure do love what I do. šŸ™‚

        Thanks for the invite, I have added my project to your party.

        gail

    6. Rachel Lang

      June 04, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      I love that you made this entire thing from repurposed items! So clever! It's got me wondering what I have lying around that could hide my eye-sores... šŸ˜‰

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 05, 2019 at 1:40 pm

        Give me junk and watch me create! LOL It's what I do.

        thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

        gail

    7. Gilmer Gal

      May 31, 2019 at 12:51 pm

      I love this! Now, I just need a place to put one. Pretty sure I can find a place! Thanks for posting this!

      Reply
    8. Brette

      May 30, 2019 at 5:59 pm

      Cute. This will give the meter reader a surprise, if it hasn't already.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 30, 2019 at 6:03 pm

        Thank you Brette!

        He'll be here in a couple of weeks. I'm sure the entire backyard will be a surprise to him!

        gail

    9. Linda at Mixed Kreations

      May 30, 2019 at 5:39 pm

      Clever way to hide an eye soar. Love the gate, looks great!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 30, 2019 at 6:04 pm

        Thank you Linda! I really am happy with how it turned out.

        gail

    10. Cristina

      May 29, 2019 at 12:02 pm

      So many eyesores, so many uses for this gate in the garden! Love it, love the posts.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 29, 2019 at 2:02 pm

        Thank you Cristina!

        You're right, so many things need disguising in the yard.

        gail

    11. Katie

      May 28, 2019 at 11:26 am

      You're a repurposing master, Gail! This looks wonderful and such a great way to hide things in plain sight!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 28, 2019 at 12:45 pm

        repurposing, it's definitely in my blood! šŸ™‚

        Thanks Katie!!

        gail

    12. Angie

      May 27, 2019 at 1:23 pm

      Gail--what a smart idea! Nice job!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 27, 2019 at 1:48 pm

        Thanks so much Angie! I just LOVE my new backyard!

        gail

    13. Mindi

      May 27, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Gail I love it! It looks so sweet and the perfect way to hide your water meter! You are so awesome, I love the sign too and the planters on the sides!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 27, 2019 at 1:49 pm

        thank you Mindi! I'm so happy that I finally changed up my backyard. I really enjoy it every day.

        gail

    14. myperpetualproject

      May 27, 2019 at 11:23 am

      This is a cute idea to hide the gas meter. I plan to build a cover for ours too. I haven't started researching ideas yet because it will be part of the landscape plan for that section of yard. It's on my project list for this summer. Nice work!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 27, 2019 at 1:50 pm

        I don't really have any "summer" projects planned. It's so hot and humid here in the summertime. I think I've completed all the backyard ideas for now. I don't want to "junk" it up too much.

        gail

    15. Donna McFarland

      May 27, 2019 at 9:47 am

      There is probably a law about leaving space around a meter?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 27, 2019 at 10:35 am

        Good point Donna, but I'm not worried about that! lol

        seriously, I don't think there are any laws about it. There may be some guidelines, but I'm sure that's not an issue for me. The faux gate simply leans on the meter.

        There are definitely rules about calling BUD if you dig around any utilities. That's why I didn't secure the faux garden gate in the ground.

        gail

    16. Judy

      May 27, 2019 at 8:00 am

      How did you get it to stay standing with out it always falling over?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 27, 2019 at 8:52 am

        Judy,
        Great question!

        Because I didn't want to dig so close to the meter, I have it leaned against the meter. That way the meter reader can still get to it. My ground is not level, so I didn't think I could make a base for it. Each application will be different depending on your situation.
        It's REALLY a lot heavier than it looks, so I don't think the wind will blow it over. This way it will be fairly easy to move when I need to use the string trimmer or lawn mower.
        gail

    17. Sherry Whitworth

      May 27, 2019 at 7:16 am

      Gail, I love this project. I’m thinking I want one. You are so talented. . .Love your blogs!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 27, 2019 at 8:52 am

        Thank you Sherry! I appreciate you stopping by to check out my projects!

        gail

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

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