By contributing writer Jordon
My mom gave me an old milk can that she had bought at an auction (she knows I love old treasures, as does she). It had seen better days. Sure, I appreciate the natural wear and tear on antiques, but I felt that this milk can needed a little somethin-somethin. After hauling milk back in the 1800’s, I thought it deserved to be cleaned up to hold something beautiful, so I gave my old milk can a makeover and turned it into a planter.
Do you have an old milk can that could use a makeover?
Supplies Needed
- Milk can
- Exterior cream paint (or color of choice)
- Brown glaze
- Rustoleum Hammered Paint & Primer spray paint – Rosemary Color (or color of choice)
- Exterior polyurethane spray paint
- Painters tape
- Garbage bag
- Paint brush
- Paper towels
- Planter to fit the mouth of the milk can – My planter was 5.25 inchies high x 6 inches wide x 6 inches deep.
- Flowers – You only have a 6 inch circumference to work with. I got flowers with height for the back, flowers that drape for the front, and a small flower to fill in the middle.
- Potting soil
Instructions
1. Put down a drop cloth or piece of plywood to protect your surface from spray paint. I used a piece of plywood in my yard.
2. Place a garbage bag around the bottom part of the milk can and tape it around the rim, just below the lip. (I used packing tape, which is why it’s difficult to see in the picture. It worked, but I recommend using painters tape.)
It is hard to see the tape line, so I have the little hand pointing to where it is. Just right below the lip there.
3. Spray paint the top of your can with the Rosemary spray paint (or whatever color you choose). You may have to do a few coats to bring out the hammered look, and make sure to get the inside of the mouth. It dries pretty quickly. Make sure it is fully dry and then remove the tape and garbage bag.
4. Paint the bottom of the milk can with the exterior cream paint. Two coats should do it. Rinse your paint brush off and let that dry while you are letting the paint dry.
5. Once both are completely dry, take your paint brush and lightly dab it into the glaze. Then dab it on a paper towel (you do not want to paint it on heavy). Make some sporadic strokes in a 10 x 10 inch area.
It is best to work in small areas so the glaze does not dry, which can make it difficult to blend. Then take another paper towel and wipe your strokes to blend it nicely. Continue this process until you have the desired look.
6. Wait for the glaze to dry then spray on 2-3 coats of poly, letting each coat dry before applying the other. While you are waiting for the coats to dry, you can work on planting your flowers.
7. Add potting soil to your planter and then add your flowers. Tall flowers in the back, draping ones in the front, and filler in the middle. Place the planter in the mouth of your can and give your flowers a little water.
And there you go! Your milk can has a makeover!
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