Paint Vintage Oil, Gas or Kerosene Can for Makeover

 

Turn old grey galvanized oil, gas, or kerosene cans into rustic country decor or vases with paint and your imagination.

These three cans were given to me by Donnie, Glasgow Trading Post, with instructions to "... paint roosters. Roosters are popular.". Well, he got a couple of chickens (one pretty primitive) and primitive rooster.

The trick to creating the chicken and rooster shapes - strictly speaking for myself - is to focus on the negative space surrounding the bird since I most generally don't trace.

Because the birds are mostly white, I chose dark backgrounds which allow the lighter colors to "pop" a bit more than if I were to use lighter backgrounds.

If you're unsure whether the colors you chose will contrast enough, simply paint swatches on scrap paper to compare. Scared of making a mistake? Here's the great thing about paint: You can paint over it as many times as necessary until you achieve the look you want.

And... be sure to take a brush and water to at least the exterior to remove anything that's loose.

The above can was based with nutmeg brown. The bottom border was made with a 1/4 inch brush. Antique white and barn red make up the colors of the primitive chicken. Burnt umber was floated along the interior edges of her body.

I chose a black background for variation since the piece was scheduled to be in a gift shop. I wanted to offer customers a choice. The colorful chicken was based in antique white, head in barn red and multiple colors and layers were added for her feathers. I added a bit of shading around a few feathers of the wing just to add interest and depth.

Again, nutmeg brown for the base color. I painted a simple leaf motif border around the bottom in antique gold. Barn red and antique white make up the body while antique gold was used for the feet. The primitive rooster's body was finished off with a light coat of burnt umber along the inside edges.

Rule of thumb: Keep the shapes basic and painting to a minimum. Think quick and easy to achieve a rustic country or primitive look.

All cans were sprayed with a clear coat - the cheapest I could find.

Why?

Because acrylic paint doesn't stick to metal very well so the slightest brush against it will chip or scratch the paint.

If the can is remaining inside the home, you can always use water based varnish found at a craft store.

Have fun! Don't be scared. Attack the can bearing in mind that you can paint over any mistake.

 

Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card

Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card by Visages
Make an invite on zazzle

Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card

Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card by Visages
Browse other Pumpkins Cards

  Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Poster

Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Poster by Visages
View another fine art print at zazzle

 Pumpkins and Scarecrow Picture Cards

Pumpkins and Scarecrow Picture Cards by Visages
See more Pumpkins Cards

  Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture iPhone 5 Cases

Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture iPhone 5 Cases by Visages
View other Pumpkins Casemate Cases

  Cute Primitive Art Snowman Christmas Ornaments

Cute Primitive Art Snowman Christmas Ornaments by Visages
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  Cute Christmas Primitive Snowman Beverage Coasters

Cute Christmas Primitive Snowman Beverage Coasters by Visages
More Primitive Cork Coasters

Pumpkins and Mum Thanksgiving Picture Greeting Cards by Visages
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  Primitive Folk Art Snowman Holiday Party Personalized Announcement

Primitive Folk Art Snowman Holiday Party Personalized Announcement by Visages
Create an announcement online with zazzle.com

 Primitive Snowman Christmas Jar Sticker

Primitive Snowman Christmas Jar Sticker by Visages
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Primitive Acrylic Painted Snowman Christmas Tag Rectangular Sticker 

Primitive Acrylic Painted Snowman Christmas Tag Rectangular Sticker by Visages
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Upcycle or Repurpose Old Kerosene or Oil Cans into Decor

 Turn old oil or kerosene cans into primitive decor for your country style home.

Acrylic paint and inspiration are all you need.

Birdhouse, sheep and Christmas were my inspiration for these two cans.

Soon to put into Glasgow Trading Post inventory for sale.

Fall and Halloween cups and mugs at Visages an online gift store. See below for examples...


Cute Country Scarecrow Folk Art Coffee Mugs

Cute Country Scarecrow Folk Art Coffee Mugs by Visages
Put your photos on mug designs at zazzle.com 

 Cute Halloween Jack O'Lantern and Crow Mugs

Cute Halloween Jack O'Lantern and Crow Mugs by Visages
More Jack o'lantern Mugs

I Heart (Love) Halloween Mugs 

I Heart (Love) Halloween Mugs by Visages
Design mugs online at Zazzle 

Ghostly Halloween Eyes Mug

Ghostly Halloween Eyes Mug by Visages
Design your own photo mugs with text at Zazzle 

Ghostly Halloween Eyes Mugs

Ghostly Halloween Eyes Mugs by Visages
View other Spooky Mugs

Pumpkin, Fairy, Owl Illustration Mug 

Pumpkin, Fairy, Owl Illustration Mug by Visages
Put your favorite photo on a mug. 

Autumn Leaves Mug

Autumn Leaves Mug by Visages
Put your favorite photo on a mug. 

Autumn Leaves Coffee Mug

Autumn Leaves Coffee Mug by Visages
Get the best in mug printing from Zazzle. 

Octoberfest Get Me a Beer Mugs

Octoberfest Get Me a Beer Mugs by Visages
Design your own photo mugs with text at Zazzle 

Fall and Halloween Gifts Coffee Mugs

Fall and Halloween Gifts Coffee Mugs by Visages
View more Baby Mugs

Cute and Funny Halloween Coffee Mug 

Cute and Funny Halloween Coffee Mug by Visages
Make unique photo mugs fast from Zazzle. 

Fall and Halloween Gifts Coffee Mugs

Fall and Halloween Gifts Coffee Mugs by Visages
Browse other Halloween Mugs

Happy Scarecrow Mug 

Happy Scarecrow Mug by Visages
See more Cute Mugs

Homemade Christmas Gift Tins: Things to do With Cans

What can you do with empty coffee cans? Soup cans? Vegetable cans? Here are some ideas for making Christmas Gift Tins to repurpose cans.

• Wrapping paper 10 3/8 wide by 4 1/2 for 14.5 oz cans
• Glitter pens
• Rubber stamps
• Glue (I use hot glue)
• Card stock for the tag

Randomly stamp the gift paper then color the stamps with glitter pens. Add swirls or leaves and flowers. Let dry. Glue paper on to the can. Insert tissue or cellophane inside the can.
Cut out the tag. Use a glitter pen on the edge of the tag.

• Acrylic paint
• Card stock (I use plain white) 10 3/8 by 4 1/2 for 14.5 oz cans
• Brushes
• Ribbon
• Glue
• Glass paint used for dots and stitches
• Gold felt tip pen

Paint red stripes from top to bottom spaced the width of the brush on card stock. Let dry. Paint red stripes from side to side. Let dry. Using a gold color pen, draw lines two top to bottom in the white space between the red stripes. Draw three gold lines side to side in the white space between the red stripes. NOTE: Don't worry if the stripes are wavy or crooked. Just have fun!

Cut out the tag. With the gold color felt tip pen, draw a few branches then draw "pine needles". With red and green glass paint, add dots randomly. Let dry.

Insert tissue or cellophane inside the can.

I used acrylic paint to paint the rose buds and the flower on card stock. Ran ribbon around the bottom of the can gluing it into place in assorted spots. With green glass paint, I painted "stitches" around the edge of the gift tag. Lastly, I inserted cellophane inside the can.

Repurpose Candle Wax & Tin Cans

Okay, you're not into candle making but you hate to toss candle ends or remnants from jarred candles. Here's the easiest thing to do to repurpose candle ends and remnants.

If your jarred candles are small enough to set on a fragrance warmer, that's all you have to do: Set it on the warmer.

If the candle has no fragrance or if you want to enhance the fragrance, head to Wal-Mart or a local hobby store. Be sure the fragrance is for candle wax and not for soap or lotions. You can even add a different scent to the fragrance that's in the candle. If it's a floral scent, I stick with florals. If it's an herb scent I stick with herbs. For instance, if you have a lavender scented candle, add a rose fragrance or other floral fragrance. Shoot, to lavender you could even add linen scent.

If you want to remove what's left of the candle in the jar, you'll have to use the double-boiler. I don't have one but I do make a substitute. Instructions are below.

Soak a tuna and vegetable can (or another tuna can to use on your fragrance warmer) to remove the label. Wash but be careful of the inside rim; it's probably sharp enough to cut your finger. You'll use this in the double-boiler to melt the wax.

Substitute double-boiler: I use either our fondue pot or some other large pan. Something large enough to put a smaller pan into.

I set up my make-shift double-boiler, fill about half way with water then sit my smaller pan into the water. Put the heat on low. We want about 160 to 180 degrees or just low enough to heat the water good without simmering or boiling.

Next, drop the candle bits into the tin can and put the tin can into the smaller pan sitting in the water. If you're melting wax in a jar, just set the jar into the smaller pan.

After the wax melts, add the fragrance then (using an oven mitt or pad to hold the can) pour the wax into whatever you're using on your fragance burner. You could repurpose a mayonnaise jar, baby food jar, old canning jar, etc. on the fragrance burner.

You could even simply melt the wax in the tin can or jarred candle on the fragrance burner, entirely skipping the double-burner method.

Hint: Want color? I add a little bit of crayon.

Paint the can with acrylic paints or leave as it. I wouldn't use ribbon, paper or scrap material to cover the can. I've never tried it so I wouldn't recommend it.

That's it. If you have any questions, please leave a comment.