Everything Gets a Dramatic New Finish
Once the construction was finished and the pieces had time to dry, the entire project was ready for paint. The pipe and wooden components were given a coat of black spray paint, creating a consistent finish across the different materials. Painting both the plastic and the wood the same color helped make the separate components look like they belonged together.
This step made a surprisingly big difference. Before painting, it was easy to see exactly what the project was made from. There was light-colored wood surrounding a plain plastic pipe, making the construction obvious. After the paint went on, the whole structure suddenly looked much more cohesive. But the biggest transformation was still waiting on the inside.
The project wasn't designed to simply be a decorative column. It was going to glow. Battery-operated LED lights were chosen for the inside of the pipe. Because the strip was long enough, it could run upward through the interior and then back down again, creating additional illumination. The battery pack was positioned at the bottom, keeping the setup self-contained. Now the plain PVC pipe had a hidden purpose: it was about to become the body of a glowing floor light.