HOW TO MAKE AN OLD PAINT CAN A PLANTER

Ready to create a one of a kind upcycle project? This paint can project turned planter is perfect for those cans of dried up paint you may have piled up in your garage. Come along and make an old paint can into a planter with me.

Hi, I’m Regina and welcome to Saved From Salvage. I love to share DIY’s, furniture flips, tablescapes and event inspiration. I’m so glad you are here.

OLD PAINT CAN PREP

There are a variety of ways to prep your can.

• To gift a plant, drop the plastic container the plant came in, right into the can.
• To plant inside your can, add gravel, dirt and the plant.
• Drill a few holes in the bottom and place on a saucer for better drainage.

I was using them as temporary pots for my pansies and for Easter I am going to fill them with planted tulips I found at Lowes.

My can had very little paint inside, and it was dried up so I didn’t need to do anything else with it.

There are also two ways to prep the exterior of your can. I covered my small quart can with paper and I sprayed the larger gallon can with white primer. I only used one coat of paint to cover the can.

FINISHING YOUR OLD PAINT CAN

If you are looking for a wonderful variety of designs for your can, you need to check out The Graphics Fairy. I think it was 2014 when I tried my first design from this fabulous site.

DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH PAPER AND ADHESIVE

First I downloaded an image, I chose these bunnies. I uploaded it to Canva and recolored it, the original image was in color and I wanted the black and white.

Next, I printed the image directly onto copy paper. I had covered the can with white paper, using a spray adhesive, then I added the image on top.

After I added the bunnies, I decided to use a little grey wax and distress it a bit.

DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH NAPKIN AND MOD PODGE

For my gallon sized cans, I created one with a napkin with this adorable nest on it and then I used Mod Podge to adhere it to the paint can.

Then I coated it with Mod Podge and let it dry. When using the napkin, you must separate it from the backing before using. It will be very thin, I used Mod Podge for tissue.

DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH PAPER AND MOD PODGE

For my next gallon can planter, I used The Graphics Fairy again. I found this cute little rabbit print. After I downloaded the graphic, I then printed it onto copy paper.

For this print, I used Mod Podge to adhere it to the gallon paint can. Then I sprayed it with a Mod Podge sealer. I used my finger to smooth out the paper and the color smeared. That did not make me happy, and I tried to wipe it away but it was definitely staying smeared. You can see below it smeared.

After the spray dried, I used regular Mod Podge and brushed a layer onto the image. I may redo this one after I get more printer paper and print another clean image.

FILLING YOUR PAINT CAN PLANTER

CUT FLOWERS / PLANTS / EGGS / GIFTS

I filled my paint can planters a few ways. I dropped a ball jar with tulips inside, I planted pansies directly into the can and I place a plastic pot with pansies inside and I placed a plastic container with ranuculus inside.

You could also line the inside with paper or tissue and add wrapped little gifts inside.

It would also be a super cute container for an egg hunt don’t you think?

I hope you enjoyed this little upcycle and repurposing project. I also just finished a little upcycle using some leftover materials, see my UPDATED THRIFT STORE VASE. Just think of the possibilities for other holidays as well. I could see this decorated with a poinsettia for Christmas, mums for fall. My wheels are turning.

Thanks for coming by Saved From Salvage – Subscribe if you haven’t yet and you will get the weekly newsletter with all of my posts for the week. Oh and for more spring and easter inspiration, did you see my DIY SPRING GRAPEVINE WREATH? Or my collection of SPRING TABLESCAPES? Last but not least, my most favorite BUNNY POTS.

XO, Regina

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