How to Antique Paint a Tin
From small mint containers to large lunch boxes, metal tins make convenient storage solutions for everything from memorabilia to craft supplies. Instead of using the containers "as is," transform them with simple painting techniques that will give the boxes an antique, shabby chic look. The faux finish can turn a recycled or second-hand tin into a work of art that you can use, display or give as a gift to a friend or family member.
Things You'll Need
- Scrap paper, newspapers or plastic sheet
- Paper plates
- Tin
- Cotton ball
- Rubbing alcohol
- Paintbrush
- Acrylic paint
- Crackle medium
- Sealer or decoupage glaze
- Paper flowers, buttons or chipboard letters
- Adhesive dots
Instructions
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1
Protect your work area from paint and glaze splatters and spills by covering the table with pieces of scrap paper, old newspapers or a plastic sheet. Gather paper plates to squeeze the paint onto during the painting process.
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2
Remove dust and debris from the surface of the tin by wiping the outside with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. Allow the metal tin to dry.
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3
Use a paintbrush to cover the tin with a medium-thick coat of acrylic paint. This color will become the "cracks" in the antique finish, so choose a light shade like white or beige if you want the cracks to be lighter than the surface color or choose a dark shade like brown or black if you want the opposite effect.
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4
Apply a coat of crackle medium with a different paintbrush once the acrylic base coat is dry. Ensure you cover the tin completely with crackle medium---add a light coat to produce hairline cracks or a heavier application to generate larger cracks.
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5
Allow the medium to dry until it's slightly tacky to the touch. Use a paintbrush to apply a coat of acrylic paint that contrasts with the first paint color---the cracks will begin appearing immediately as you brush on the paint.
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6
Seal the project by brushing on a layer of matte or glossy sealer or decoupage glaze once the top layer of paint is dry.
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7
Add dimension to the tin and personalize the project by adding embellishments to the top. Affix items like paper flowers, buttons or chipboard letters to the painted metal tin with adhesive dots.
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Tips & Warnings
Vary the look of the antique painting technique by changing the way you brush on the top coat of paint. Use long, vertical strokes for primarily vertical cracks or use vertical and short horizontal strokes to generate cracks going in both directions.
Produce antiqued tins as gift items by choosing colors and embellishments that the recipient will love. Make a gift for a teacher, for example, by crackle painting a metal lunch box with red and beige paint. Affix wood letters that spell her name across the front of the tin and add accents like a yellow pencil, a cluster of apple-shaped buttons or a photo of the class with adhesive dots.
Avoid brushing over the same area repeatedly when adding the top coat of paint. This will cover the cracks that are forming and smear the crackle medium to impede the creation of additional cracks.
