Upcycling Empty Paint Cans Using Paint Chips
Upcycling Empty Paint Cans with Paint Chips
Empty paint cans: I've been busy repainting a spare room and plan to turn into a craft room. As I result I have a few empty paint cans. A lot of my craft involves repurposing and upcycling the stuff I've already got. Therefore I decided to upcycle the empty paint cans into some storage buckets for my craft room.
I thought that it would be fun to upcycle the paint cans into bright colour coded storage by decoupaging them with paint chips/cards. So far I've made a blue and a green storage bucket out of my empty paint cans. I love the ombre effect you get with the paint chips and plan to eventually have a rainbow of upcycled paint can storage buckets adorning my craft room shelves.
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What you need to Upcycle empty paint tins
- Empty paint cans - I used the big 5 liter metal paint cans that come with a handle. However it would work just as well with plastic paint cans.
- Paint Chips - pick these up for free from your local hardware/diy store.
- Decoupage glue - Mod Podge or PVA (Elmers) glue.
- Spray paint - I used a Montana Gold Blue and a Montana Gold Green
How to upcycle empty paint tins
- Clean your empty paint tins out thoroughly. I only use water based environmentally friendly paints for all my painting so the cans are relatively easily to clean with a bit of hot water. I just chip away any dry paint from the outside of the empty paint tins.
- Spray paint the inside of your paint tin with a colour to match your paint chips.
- To stick the paint chips to the outside of the empty paint tins, I placed glue on both the paint chip and the tin. I stuck them down in the strips going round the can until covered. You may have to trim your paint chips when they meet in the middle.
- When the whole paint tin was covered with the paint chips I then pasted a layer of glue over the top to seal it.
I'm really pleased with my new handy free storage containers for my craft room. I love the fact that they are colour coded and will be completing my rainbow as soon as I get some more empty paint tins.
You don't of course have to use them just for craft room storage they would also make great planters.
Another great thing you can make with paint chips is a paint chip calendar.
If you liked this post you may also want to check out some of my other craft room storage ideas:
DIY washi tape holder
Copper and Denim craft caddy.
Denim Pocket Wall Organizer
For more ideas of upcycling crafts visit favecrafts.com
This is straight from the files of, "waste not, want not", and I love it!
Thank you, I like to repurpose when I can.
So cute and clever!
Thank you very much glad you liked them. Looked at your site, your quilted art is gorgeous.
What a great way to upcycle these old paint cans. They look like so much fun now.
Thank you, they are really handy too.
What a gorgeous effect! I love ombre shading, and the handle also adds a nice touch. Great job! :)Lisa
Thanks, I like the ombre effect too.
What a fun way to store yarn and fibers!
Posts like this would be perfect for the Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop. We love to see fun upcycles! This week’s hop is live now! http://www.skipthebag.com/2016/10/waste-less-wednesday-blog-hop-101916.html
Thank you and I have linked up.
Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW DIY party!
Thanks.
So clever--love it! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm--pinned!
Thank you very much.
brilliant as always claire, thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Thank you, you are very kind.
Yet another cute idea, Claire!
Thank you Wendy, like your paint chip project too.
This is such a fun project Claire. I only ever seem to get the plastic paint cans though :/
Thanks, I use Eco paints which come in metal tins for 5l. It may work with plastic tins.
Super cute idea! Love it!
Thank you so much !
What a neat idea - these would make great storage containers in my workshop. Very nice and I like how you used swatches to cover them..
Thank you, they look great in my craft room.
Well that is super cute and crafty! I would like to invite you to our linky party the Homesteader Hop if you would like to join. https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/10/12/the-homesteader-hop-24/
Thank you and thanks for the invite.
Fun, fun, fun as always this idea of yours!
Thank you Victoria, I do think they are just a bit of colourful fun.
So very creative and a very clever upcycle. Nice job.
Thanks, I love to upcycle.