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You are here: Home / DIY/Craft Projects / repurposed/upcycled / How To Make Rusty Cans For Other Craft Projects

How To Make Rusty Cans For Other Craft Projects

October 26, 2015 By: Linda @ Mixed Kreations48 Comments

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rusty cans

Found this recipe at Lucy Designs and it works great. Depending on how rusty you want your can, how many times you have to repeat the process.

*This post contains affiliate linksΒ for your convenience.Β Please read my disclosure for more info. Thanks so much for your support!*

Supply List For Rusty Cans

Tin cans
Washer
Jute
Key Charm
Hydrogen Peroxide
Salt
Patina
Coarse sandpaper

How To Make Rusty Cans

You will need a tin can, salt, and Hydrogen Peroxide to make your own rusty can.

How to rust a tin can. #Repurpose #TinCan
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First scratch up the surface of your can with coarse sandpaper, then spray the can with Hydrogen Peroxide and sprinkle salt over the can.

The cans above are going through the second process. Lucy said that it works better if you let it sit outside in direct sunlight, but I haven’t tried it that way yet.

Having to go through the process about 5-6 times to get my cans this rusty.

The rusty wire is for another project so don’t forget to come back later to see Β what it’s for.

I added a patina to two keys and one washer to give my cans some color and used some twine to attach them onto the cans.

I’ve been wanting a small succulent for a while now but everywhere I went they were out of the small succulents. When I finally found them I couldn’t make up my mine which one to buy so I bought all three.

Rusty can succulent planters! #Repurpose #TinCan
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Don’t you think they look great in my new rusty cans?

More Fun Repurposed Tin Can Projects

Quick and easy repurposed tin cans
Texas Flag tin can
Santa Suit tin can


How to make cans rust quicklyHow to make rusty tin cans.

how to turn empty cans into rusty planters, How to make rusty cans

How to make rusty cans

how to make rusty cans easily with two household ingredients
How to make rusty cans | diy rusty cans
How to make empty cans rust easily with two household ingredients.
How to make empty cans rust easily with two household ingredients
how to rust cans easily with two household ingredients
How to make empty cans rust easily with two household ingredients

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Comments

  1. Carlee says

    October 26, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    Those turned out really cute! It is funny the lengths we go to in order to make things look old sometimes. The results are worth the effort in this case!
    Carlee recently posted…Honeyed Pecans – A Guest Post by MiMiMy Profile

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      October 28, 2015 at 11:00 am

      I know what you mean, but I was wanting real rust not faux (-; So I think it was worth it too. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        October 11, 2019 at 3:11 pm

        How long do you wait between each time of peroxide and salt?

        Reply
        • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

          October 14, 2019 at 3:18 pm

          Hi Carolyn! I probably waited about 30 minutes in between each time. Then I would just spray over it and sprinkle more salt on top of the other coats.

          Reply
  2. Wendi @ H2OBungalow says

    October 28, 2015 at 8:43 am

    This is such a useful tutorial! Love that it so easy and I can get rust without chemicals! I am so pinning nd sharing this! Have a fantatsic day! – Wendi@H2OBungalow
    Wendi @ H2OBungalow recently posted…DIY Coastal Drilled PumpkinMy Profile

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      October 28, 2015 at 10:55 am

      Thank you Wendi, and Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

      Reply
  3. carol says

    October 28, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I love turning trash into treasures!
    carol recently posted…Chicken Pot Pie – Cinnamon Apple & Pear Salad – Easy Fall MealMy Profile

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      October 29, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      Yep me too! Glad to finally be able to rust my own things, so expensive to buy cans already rusted.

      Reply
  4. Mickie Ayer says

    October 30, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Like the look you achieved…but is it permanent? I tried a couple of “rust recipes” where the rust was totally on top and washed off along with the gritty salt residue. I haven’t tried using the hydrogen peroxide But sure like how your cans look. Popped over from My Salvaged Treasure Vintage Inspiration Party, Mickie

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      October 30, 2015 at 7:13 pm

      Hi Mickie! Yes it worked but took 4-5 times to get it like this. I’m happy how it turned out. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 27, 2019 at 2:21 am

        I love this Rusty luck they are ideal for succ u l e n t plants the rusty cans set the plants are so nice. Thank you Nancy

        Reply
        • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

          May 28, 2019 at 5:07 am

          Thank you Nancy! I am glad that you enjoyed the project!

          Reply
  5. Designing Vibes says

    November 12, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    This is such a great idea, Linda! Love this.
    Designing Vibes recently posted…Q & A with Jenna from Rain on a Tin RoofMy Profile

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      November 12, 2015 at 5:07 pm

      Thanks you Erica! I think they turned out pretty neat for little planters.

      Reply
  6. Hollie says

    November 19, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    So cool. I love that rusty and rustic look.
    Hollie recently posted…How to Have a Super Frugal ThanksgivingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      November 19, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks Hollie! I love my little planters! (-;

      Reply
  7. Michelle Marttila - Happy Heart Made says

    February 18, 2016 at 8:19 am

    I love your rusty cans…beautiful touch with the turquoise embellishment!!!
    Michelle Marttila – Happy Heart Made recently posted…RUST-IC SIGNMy Profile

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      February 18, 2016 at 8:44 am

      Thanks Michelle! I love how they turned out, and turquoise is my newest favorite color. I use it a lot.

      Reply
  8. Pili says

    February 20, 2016 at 6:18 am

    Hi, Linda! This is so cool!! I have a huge amount of tins, I am going to try it for sure!
    And I would love if you could share this next Tuesday at our link party, TwoUsesTuesday
    Enjoy the weekend!
    Pili recently posted…How to Weather WoodMy Profile

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      February 20, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks Pili! I need to make me some more, I really love how they came out. Thanks for the invite! Have a great day!

      Reply
  9. Lisa B. says

    March 2, 2016 at 11:25 am

    Good Morning!! I wanted to stop by and let you know your post has been selected as a feature for the Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party!! Stop by to see your post lined up and grab your Featured Button too!!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 2, 2016 at 5:44 pm

      Thank you Lisa for the feature! I just got back from linking up. Thanks!

      Reply
  10. CD Loken says

    March 24, 2016 at 10:25 am

    I LOVE all things rusty, and your can’s are perfection! Can’t wait to try this out! Thank you so much for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 24, 2016 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks CD Loken! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Let me know how it works for you.

      Reply
  11. Noelle says

    May 12, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    Super cute! My best friend and I are going to make some rusty cans to be used as vases in her wedding! I just love how simple this recipe is and also how you chose to add those turquoise looking keys and washer! How did you add patina to them to get them to look like that?! Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      May 16, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you Noelle! I used a liquid patina that I bought at Hobby Lobby, in the jewelry department I believe.

      Reply
  12. Karen says

    July 23, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    Hello-
    Question- how long between process should you wait before repeating to get the “more” rusty look like yours? I love this idea and I hope it works for me and my $1 tin containers.

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      July 27, 2016 at 3:47 pm

      Hi Karen! I probably waited about 30 minutes to 1 hour then sprayed them down and did the process again through out the day. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  13. Sam @ Raggedy Bits says

    February 14, 2017 at 9:03 am

    This is awesome Linda! I can’t wait to try it! I have tried various ways using yucky chemicals!! Your tutorial is perfect! Pinning and sharing all over the world!!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      February 14, 2017 at 10:17 am

      Hi Sam! I’ve been wanting some rusty cans, but when I run across them. They want to much, so I researched it until I found a way. I don’t like chemicals either, so this one is perfect. Thanks for sharing! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. Maresa says

    March 27, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    does it have to be a certain kind of can? I am on the second day of spraying the cans every hour or so and it’s no where near as rusty as these.

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 29, 2018 at 5:42 am

      Hi Maresa! I just used regular vegetable cans. That’s strange I have rusted quit a few using this technique. You are sprinkling the salt on after you spray with Hydrogen Peroxide? I went back and read my post, and I’m so sorry I forgot to mention to scratch up the surface of the can with coarse sandpaper. I’m sorry that’s probably why it’s not rusting easily. Please let me know if this helps!

      Reply
  15. Pam Jackson says

    May 24, 2018 at 9:58 am

    Now this is great to know. I have been saving some cans to do somethings with. I love the rusty look for sure. Love the look you gave yours. Nicely done.

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      May 29, 2018 at 3:07 pm

      Thank you Pam! We do love the rust πŸ™‚

      Reply
  16. Brandi says

    September 20, 2018 at 9:13 am

    How long do you allow the peroxide and salt to sit on the can before you reapply it?

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      October 1, 2018 at 5:16 pm

      Hi Brandi! I let it sit about 20-30 minutes till dry then I just spray more and add more salt. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  17. Susan Homeroad Stevenson says

    May 5, 2019 at 7:11 am

    Oh my gosh I love these little rusty cans. I’m saving this and pinning!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      May 8, 2019 at 2:07 pm

      Thank you, Susan, I’m glad that you liked them. Thanks for pinning! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  18. Kim says

    May 5, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    Excellent tip! I pinned it and plan to use it soon! Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      May 8, 2019 at 2:08 pm

      Thanks Kim, can’t wait to see what you come up with. Thanks for pinning! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  19. Maria says

    May 9, 2019 at 8:03 am

    This is lovely and what a great idea.

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      May 16, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      Thank you Maria! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  20. Kellie says

    March 3, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    Do you use any type of sealer afterwards to keep the rust from flaking off?

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 31, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Kellie! I have used sealer and some I did not. So that would be your choice. But the sealer would help the rust from flaking.

      Reply

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