Broad Daylight Thieves!

[up1950s]

That's why I like Floquil , it dries flat .

[SPsteam]

I worked diligently on a rocket for 4-H as a kid.  With the fair only a week or so away, I had just finished the last coat of paint and left it to dry.  Went back an hour later and the rocket was nowhere to be found.  After searching for a while, I located it in my dogs doghouse.  She wanted it more than I did.  The second rocket I built for the fair didn't have quite the build quality as that first one.   

[pnolan48]

I was the PR guy for Estes (and Venturi) rockets for two years. Had a golden retriever snatch one of the miniature movie cameras, and also hit a goose at about 300 feet off the ground. Goose wasn't hurt, just annoyed. The movie was interesting: nice smooth flight and parachute descent, then chaos. Wished I had saved that one.

[pnolan48]

The mockingbird is on to me! Went out this morning to paint some parts and, before I even brought the parts out, there she was on top of the telephone pole cawing at me. She knows the rattle can means some shiny bits. And they aren't very shiny, except when the paint is wet. Just colorful. Today I painted, then brought the parts into the garage.

[nkalanaga]

Paint a few pieces of junk each time you paint, then, after you take your stuff in, she can have hers.  You'll have a very happy neighbor!

[Blazeman]

Fake out the bird. Shake a rattle can of Dullcoat or a flat finish.

[jnevis]

Shaking a rattle can is how I get the dog in his room at night.  Sometimes he's a bit stubborn so picking something up and heading downstairs he'll come to the top of the stairs.  As soon as I start with the can, he's at the door waiting.  Step outside and he's out. Close the outside and laundry room door and he's in for the night.

[MK]

Epoxy some shiny small bits to a sheet of plywood.   

[pnolan48]

That's evil. Beside, even mockingbirds can tear things apart with their beaks or talons. Went out this afternoon to paint, looked up at the telephone pole, and looked straight into the eyes of a large hawk. Whoa! He (I think) didn't blink or seem impressed. Hope he hasn't eaten my mockingbird.

[nkalanaga]

No need to torment the poor bird.  If you need to paint outdoors (I do), and want to leave the items outside while they dry, how about a shielded paint board?

Take a piece of plywood, whatever size you like, make a cover that fits it from small wood and hardware cloth (wire mesh), and hinge the cover to one side, with a latch on the other.  Open the cover, paint the items, then close the cover while they dry.  With the right latch, and a cover higher than the bird's beak is long, the parts will be safe.

If you want to be fancy, fasten the board and cover to a post, and paint the items on a paper plate.  You'd only have to carry the painted items and the paint back in, not the entire contraption.