Do you usually buy cans of preserves? Do you want to reuse them but don’t know how to give them a nice finish? If so, in this post you will learn how to recycle food cans with different decorative techniquesso you can choose the one you like best or try them all.
It’s no secret that I like to recycle and give a second chance to different objects, but I also like to do it in a way that is decorative as well as practical. On this occasion I had gathered a couple of cans of preserves and a piggy bank and I thought of decorating them with different techniques.
Recycle tin cans with a needle and thread
This jar was not really a can but a piggy bank, but it is made of the same material and is similar in size to a large can of peaches in syrup, for example.
My intention was to make several holes in the front part to later decorate it with some cross-stitch motif, but I saw a geometric pattern that I really liked and that inspired me.
The first thing I did was place a grid sheet on top of the boat to serve as a template.
I took the corners of each square as a reference to make the holes with a multitool (find out how useful this tool is in this link).
I then gave a layer of spray primer, which is my favorite because it only takes a few minutes and a good finish is achieved without brush or roller marks. I let 24 hours pass (time recommended by the manufacturer) and gave a coat of paint cream spray slate (you can buy it at this link).
Next, with the help of a wool needle, I passed a green thread through the holes following the pattern of the geometric print that I had liked. When I finished I painted with a gel pen some small polka dots in the center of each star. Finally I edged the top of the boat with rope.
Recycle tin cans with decoupage and rubber stamps
To decorate the following cans of preserves, the first thing I did was remove the label. If any glue residue remains, it can be easily removed with turpentine or solvent.
I then applied a layer of spray primer. Keep in mind that the primer serves to provide grip to the paint and prevent it from skipping, so we should not worry if the primer does not completely cover the original color of the can, since the paint will be responsible for doing so.
After 24 hours (it is important to respect the drying times indicated by the manufacturer), apply a layer of gray chalkboard spray paint on one can and mint green on the other.
To decorate the can that I had painted gray I used the decoupage technique (you will find a video tutorial in this link). With Mod Podge I glued on a strip of napkin, finished off the joint with coral colored washi tape and wrapped a string around the top.
To decorate the can that I had painted mint green I used a rubber stamp (you can buy it at this link). Instead of ink I used acrylic paint that I had previously diluted with a little water, with which I soaked a sponge and pressed the rubber stamp on it to later stamp it on the can.
As with the rest of the cans, I tied off the top with string.
To finish off the three cans I have given a layer of colorless wax which I have subsequently polished with a cotton cloth, in this way the slate paint is protected and it is given a satin shine.
With any of these three techniques you will provide a nice finish when it comes to recycle food cans. Each of them has a degree of difficulty and requires some materials, so you can start with the one that is most comfortable for you. Also next week I will publish the use that I have given to these three cans.
You like recycle food cans? What do you reuse them for? Have you tried any of these techniques to decorate them? If not, I hope you are encouraged to do so because the result is worth it.
If you liked this post, you can see many more recycling ideas and DIY projects at .
