How to Create A Silvery, Rustic Aged Effect On A Metal Planter

How to Create A Silvery, Rustic Aged Effect On A Metal Planter

Did you read my recent front door redo, using Modern Masters non-fade Front Door Paint? If so, you learned that we experienced a huge, damaging hail storm on May 2. Now, weeks later, we have a new roof, our flowers are finally blooming to the max, and hubby and I have worked tirelessly on our deck and front natural area. Dozens of new perennials, bags of mulch and pebbles later, we are almost done recuperating.

As always, we are still on the lookout for projects to incorporate into our fresh exterior décor. I spied this boring and bland empty planter just screaming, “paint me.” Since I have worked with Modern Masters for quite some time now, ideas quickly come to mind, and a fast look-see in my studio turned up the oh-so-versatile Texture Effects, Metal Effects, Metallic Paint, and a large stencil.

Modern Masters recently introduced Metal Effects Kits in Rust, Green and Blue Patinas, available online at TheHomeDepot.com. I’m willing to bet you have been drooling over projects you have seen using the Metal Effects products, and now the ability to purchase a kit with everything you need at your fingertips makes jumping into a project super simple and easy.

I discovered that I could create a neutral-toned subtle look on a planter, or, jazz up the details with Silver Metallic paint. How cool is that?

I hope you are intrigued with my boring now beautiful planter, and you’re already looking around the house for an item to transform. Here’s the supply list, and you will quickly discover that many more projects can be done with these materials, in varying combinations.

SUPPLIES

Water Base Primer for your Surface (i.e., metal, plastic)

One Metal Effects Rust Kit

One Quart of Silver Metallic Paint

One Quart of Texture Effects

One 16 oz. Natural Brown Glazing Cream Color

One Large Stencil like the Royal Design Studio Indian Floral Wall Stencil that I used

Drop cloth, sea sponge, wet rag, painters tape, color shaper tool, paint brushes, scissors

HERE’S WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RUST PATINA KIT, to cover about 18 square feet:

8 ounces of Metal Effects Primer, 8 ounces of Iron Reactive Paint, 10 ounces of Rust Activator, 2 brushes, 2 stir sticks and complete instructions. The kit also includes the recommended Permacoat Xtreme Sealer.

Before you get started, prep the area with a drop cloth as needed. It’s a good idea not to invite kids and pets since you will be spraying. Make sure your area is well ventilated, too, or work outside in the shade like I did.

BRUSH ON PRIMERS

First, clean and prep your surface with a good primer for your surface. I used a metal primer tinted gray and let dry. Using one of the brushes in the Metal Effects Kit, brush on a coat of Metal Effects Primer. Once dry, you can add the second coat. Let dry at least 12 hours or overnight.

TINT THE TEXTURE EFFECTS

Just in case my planter gets bumped or scratched while outside, I tinted the Texture Effects with Natural Brown Glazing Cream, so the pure white color would not show if chipped off. I used 1 pint of Texture Effects and 4 ounces of Natural Brown so that I could have enough to use on all four sides of the planter and not need to mix more. You can tint to taste on this step. It does turn out out I could have made less about half as much, so I can seal the leftovers up for another time.

STENCIL EMBOSSING

I am an enthusiastic painter and project-doer, but I am also frugal with my time. So, I selected this very large wall stencil that covers my planter entirely. That way, I did not have to wait for the pattern to dry, then move the stencil to fill in missing design areas. I cut the top of the stencil material off so that I could easily start the design right at the top. After taping, I applied the mixture using a color shaper tool.

Attempt to hold the stencil tight to the surface with one hand so the mix won’t bleed, but no worries if happens a bit. Perfection is not required.

This looks weird, I admit, but I propped the lightweight planter up with a log to keep the planter from touching the step so I could do all sides at once. Let dry hard.

BRUSH ON SILVER METALLIC PAINT

A wide craft brush worked great.

I was planning to do 2 or even 3 coats of the Silver Metallic Paint, but, magically, one coat was perfect. Let dry hard. I left it overnight.

TAP ON SOME IRON REACTIVE PAINT

Use the sea sponge, tapping it into the iron paint on a palette of tin foil, then onto the surface.

You can use the chip brush in the kit to add iron paint in recessed areas. You need two coats, so after the first one dries, add some more in approximately the same areas. Let dry well.

SPRAY THE RUST PATINA ACTIVATOR

Spray one coat, beginning at the top. Wait five minutes, then spray again. About 20 minutes into the drying process, as the rust begins to form, I used the barely dampened clean sponge to pull off some areas until I liked the look. Then I let the rust process finish.

You know that I am a rust, crust, and patina lover by now, I am sure. I don’t have too many items that belonged to my parents, who are now residing in a lovely garden somewhere in heaven.

I do cherish this old concrete statue, painted lovingly by my Dad over 40 years ago to grace his fish pond. Damaged over the years, she has developed her own natural texture and color, and I love it paired with this rusty, stenciled metal planter now.

YOU CAN EVEN CHANGE YOUR MIND AND ADD MORE SILVER

Sometimes, I sleep on a project after it is completed, and decide to do just “one more thing.” So I am guessing you have done it before too, right? So I got out the Silver Metallic Paint, and a small, stiff artist brush and very quickly dry-brushed some paint on all of the raised leaves, flowers and stems. No kidding, this took about 15 minutes.

Now this oversized, boring planter literally glows, even as the sun sets over our front courtyard. No matter which of the two looks you adore, you can achieve them with the same materials. After your piece dries, you can apply the Permacoat Xtreme sealer for additional weather resistance.

Are you jazzed and ready to do this? I have discovered that I could have done two of these planters with the materials on the supply list, and more! Have a blast, and as always, be sure to share your before and after photos with Modern Masters.

Modern Masters Blog Guest Writer and Artist is Debbie Hayes, Blogger at My Patch of Blue Sky & Author of the Color Inspiration Notebook.

Original article and pictures take modernmasterscafe.com site