DIY Rusted Paint Technique For Fall
Add a faux rusted look for Fall with a few simple crafting basics. See how I transformed a dollar store pumpkin and some mini plastic jack-o-lanterns using this technique.
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If you love primitive, rustic style OR you just need a fast, easy and inexpensive way to transform items with a rusted look...you will love this step by step tutorial!
I found myself wanting to transform some orange pumpkins into rusted beauties, but I didn't want to buy any specialty products or get too messy. I wanted cheap, fast and easy!
How to get a rusted look
In the past, I've used cinnamon and/or Mod Podge to create faux rust. I love that technique too, and the smell of your finished project is a bonus! Here are a few ideas if you're wanting this look:
This layered paint technique that I'm sharing below was done with inexpensive acrylic paints that you can find everywhere. Let me show you how easy it is to do.
How to: DIY rusted paint technique and a pumpkin makeover
This paint treatment is all about layering. I sort of made it up as I went along and I learned a few things along the way.
Tips for using paint to get a rusty finished look:
- layer additional acrylic paints from dark to light
- paint with a dry brush (described below)
- finish with a coat of dark wax
Here are the supplies I used. You may have your own similar products and I invite you to experiment with what you have before you buy more stuff.
Supplies used:
- pumpkins (cheap foam ones from the dollar store, as well as plastic ones - my little jack-o-lanterns are from Dollar General)
- black chalk paint - you could also try acrylic paint or even spray paint
- orange and brown acrylic paints (I used spiced pumpkin, cinnamon and chestnut)*
- craft brushes
- foam brush
- dark paste wax
- rag
*a note on the paints - while I initially just used the orange and light brown paint, I found that to achieve a true rusted look, I needed a darker brown. The chestnut was perfect.
How to layer paint for a rusted effect
Take a look at the collage and then read the description below to find out how easy it is to achieve this faux rusted look. While I painted faux rusted pumpkins, there are so many other items you can apply this technique to!
Step 1 - base coat
Start by giving each pumpkin a base coat of black. I love a foam brush for this because it makes applying the paint quick and easy. Simply pounce the brush to get in all the grooves. You can see that I did the top half first, then went back and finished the bottom.
Pro Crafter Tip: you don't need to paint a second coat, as we'll be applying layered paint and this will cover up any imperfections
Step 2 - start layering
I squeezed out some of the orange and light brown paints, grabbed a little on my craft brush, wiped most of it off before taking it to my pumpkins (this is called "dry brushing"). I swiped the paint here and there, adding another layer but not covering up the first.
Tip: you want a dry brush to keep from completing covering up the base coat - think of it as adding highlights
Step 3 - add some brown
The pumpkins were looking almost a little bit green with the two colors of paint I'd applied, so I added another light dry brushed layer of brown.
This is where I realized I should have applied the dark brown as the first layer on top of the black, and then continued with the lighter colors. It's okay, this is how we learn what works. 😊
Step 4 - dark wax for a fabulous finish
If you invest in one product, I suggest dark wax. I use it to stain raw wood, distress my painted pieces and so much more. It's extremely versatile, a little goes a long way, and it adds incredible depth to anything you use it on. I use the Annie Sloan dark wax. I see it is available on Amazon now, but it's pricey which is why I offered a more affordable alternative in the supplies list.
You'll add just a touch of wax to a rag and rub it over the painted pumpkin, working it into the paint. It's pretty amazing how the wax adds instant age, depth and really is the finishing touch to getting that rusted color! Just take a look! Notice how the dark wax gave an antique looking finish to my wood clothespins?
Take a look at this before and after if you aren't convinced! You'll notice the wax adds a slight sheen, which really emphasizes the texture and colors you've already added. It takes your projects from good to Pro!
The wax needs just a few minutes to dry. Once it's no longer tacky, you're ready to move on!
I created some mini Jack-o-Leen prim dolls from the rusted jack-o-lantern heads, and I'll be adding them to my online shop soon.
The larger pumpkin was turned into a candle. I'll be sharing that tutorial in the next few days. Be sure you're following along so you never miss an idea!
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