I’ve bought and received countless tins in all shapes and sizes over the years, some of which were very pretty and worth keeping and reusing, and others were littered with advertisements and covered in less than appealing graphics and designs. The ugly tins were still good tins, but I didn’t want to give them as gifts or use them for display – not until I learned it was possible to repaint and decorate old tins.
I have a shelf filled with old tins, many of which are already nicely decorated, but I have plans for the others. I plan to repaint and decorate the old tins and use them to give gifts of homemade candy, cookies, gifts, and some of the crafts I make. It’s really very easy to repaint and decorate old tins, and it’s a great way to help keep usable items out of landfills. If I can do it, you can do it too!
Precautionary Statement
Follow product label instructions on spray paints and all other products used to repaint and decorate old tins. Keep in mind, it’s important to provide adequate ventilation when painting indoors. In addition, be sure to adequately protect your work surface before beginning any project involving spray paint or adhesive products.
Necessary Supplies
To repaint and decorate old tins you’ll need a sanding sponge with fine grit on one side and medium grit on the other. You’ll also need spray paint of your choice, newspaper, a face mask, stickers, bows, and other items to decorate the tin. You’ll find a wide variety of decorative items at craft supply stores, and you’ll more than likely discover embellishments you’ve never thought of.
Preparation
Spray paint won’t adhere properly to smooth or shiny surfaces, so tins must be sanded thoroughly before repainting. Begin by sanding the entire exterior of the tin with the medium grit side of the sanding sponge. The sponge will conform to the groves and the shape of the tin. Once the entire tin has been sanded and made rough, sand the rough surface with the fine-grit side of the sponge. Wipe the sanded surface with a wet rag, and wipe it dry before painting.
Painting
Choose quality paint for metal such as Rustoleum or a similar product. You’ll find many choices at Wal-Mart, home improvement stores, and your local hardware stores. Satin or gloss finishes are great choices to repaint and decorate old tins. Chances are no one will be able to tell the tins were repainted, especially after decorating further!
Follow product label instructions according to the spray paint you choose. It’s best to spray paint items such as this in a flat position to avoid streaks and runs. The tins you repaint may require a second coat. The instructions on the label will advise as to how long to wait between coats.
Decorating
After the paint is completely dry you can decorate the tins according to the occasion. Consider the endless array of scrapbooking stickers. You’ll find stickers for every occasion, and many are three-dimensional and highly decorative. You might also consider gluing on flat-back faux jewels, beads, sequins, or ribbons. Use your imagination to decorate a tin that’s sure to impress.
I recently repainted and decorated a tin for a baby shower gift, and I embellished it with scrapbooking stickers with a baby theme. I also glued on several small pink bows and faux jewels around the edges. It turned out lovelier than anything I could have ever purchased from the store, and I plan to repaint and decorate many more tins for other very special occasions.
