• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Munofore
  • Crafts
  • Gardening
  • Self Care
  • Home
  • Humor
  • Blogging
  • Random Thoughts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Crafts
  • Gardening
  • Self Care
  • Home
  • Humor
  • Blogging
  • Random Thoughts
  • follow the fun

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Crafts
    • Gardening
    • Self Care
    • Home
    • Humor
    • Blogging
    • Random Thoughts
  • follow the fun

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    That Recipe is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program. This site contains affiliate links to various websites, including Amazon.com. Purchases through these links help support this blog at no additional cost to you. read more

    How to Age a Powder Coated Metal Canister

    Feb 2, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    Age a white powder coated metal canister with items around the house in just a few hours. Great for vintage or shabby chic design.

    collage of metal canisters with text overlay "how to age a metal canister"

    I got this cute coffee canister at a discount store.

    new white metal canister

    I liked the shape and thought the copper handle would accent the other items on the open shelves in my kitchen.

    open kitchen shelves

    But, it was too new looking for the vintage look of the rest of the pieces. So, with a little research online and some trial and error I fixed it.

    Supplies for Aging a Metal Canister

    Supplies I used:

    • white powder coated canisters like these
    • hammer
    • coarse grit sand paper
    • white distilled vinegar
    • paper towels
    • zip to lock bag to fit canister
    • hammered copper spray paint like this

    Instructions

    How I made a new white powder coated metal container look vintage in half a day.

    Start with Sandpaper

    hand scuffing white canister

    First of all the bright glossy coat had to go. I rubbed the whole thing down with coarse grit sandpaper to remove the glossy finish.

    Then, I rubbed down to the bare metal places the would receive normal wear and tear: the raised lettering, around the edges, and especially the lid.

    I wanted it to look like the canister had been banged, scraped and dropped during years of use.

    Hammer Time!

    I banged the can and lid in a few places then banged them back out to form some dents.

    hammer hitting metal canister handle

    I really wanted to dent or bend the handle but it was actually made from a pretty hard metal and I was afraid I'd actually pull it off the lid instead of just denting it.

    The copper was just a spray paint and not actually copper metal. For the cost of the canister I didn't think it actually was. If it was copper I could have added patina the copper with vinegar and salt (similar to the steps below, but adding some salt to the vinegar before wrapping).

    Luckily, I had some hammered copper spray paint that looks like aged copper when dry.

    Vinegar to the Rescue

    After all of the banging and scraping, I had plenty of metal underneath exposed. Unfortunately, it was bright and shiny, practically screaming "HI, I am new!"

    Darkening it to resemble years of aging was simple thanks to one of my favorite multi-purpose household chemicals: distilled white vinegar.

    I soaked some paper towels in the vinegar, wrapped it around the canister and put it in a zip to lock bag to prevent evaporation.

    canister wrapped in vinegar soaked paper towels

    Then, I set it in the sun for 4-6 hours to speed things up.

    I could have left it longer, but it was getting dark outside. When, I peaked inside, the canister was dark enough for me.

    The Final Result

    new canister processed to look vintage

    As you can see the lid dips in the middle, the white paint is matte and worn, and the bare metal is a dull and dark.

    A much better fit for my vintage décor.
    And for those wondering, yes, I actually use it to store coffee beans in a zip to lock bag for extra freshness.

    More Craft Projects for the Kitchen

    20 Creative and Useful Cork Crafts for Your Kitchen including magnets, coasters, backsplash, baseboards and a chandelier.
    20 Wine Cork Crafts for the Kitchen
    Easy decorated kitchen towels. Hand sewn and colored kitchen towels. Homemade gifts.
    Decorated Kitchen Towels

    « How to Use Tasks in Marketing Calendar by CoSchedule
    Blogging: How I got rid of Spam Comments on Facebook »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    audrey humaciu in kitchen

    Welcome

    I'm your hostess, Audrey, an avid "maker" that believes home made is better.

    Whether it's cooking, crafting, gardening, home décor, even blog design, I love making and growing things... even if I make a mess in the process.

    Discover more about me →

    Seasonal Projects

    • top down view of dried rose shadow box
      Make a Dried Rose Shadow Box Display to Preserve Memories
    • A Big Hug Card craft for kids
      A Big Hug Card Craft for Kids
    • supplies for red envelope making with text overlay "free printable Red Envelopes for Chinese New Year"
      Free Printable Red Envelopes for Chinese New Year
    • collage of video game themed Valentines with text overlay "25 free printable video game valentines"
      25 Free Printable Video Game Themed Valentines

    Popular Posts

    • elderly woman with family in the background and text "Sudden Dementia Could be Life Threatening."
      Sudden Dementia in the Elderly Can be Life Threatening
    • collage of pallet planters with text "DIY pallet planters: 2 ideas"
      DIY Pallet Planter: 2 Ideas
    • top down view of dried rose shadow box
      Make a Dried Rose Shadow Box Display to Preserve Memories
    • collage of plastic fruit containers with text overlay "Creative ways to upcycle plastic clamshell containers"
      Awesome Ways to Reuse Plastic Fruit Containers

    follow the fun

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Munofore
    • Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Munofore