Friday, April 22, 2011

Earth Day…Painted Garbage Cans

In our school, there are many ugly galvanized garbage cans.


But there is this ONE that totally rocks and I'm drawn to it every time I pass by.


It was painted by our Elementary school students in honor of Earth Day. Read more...

It is dedicated to recyclables, but honestly it still reads "Garbage Can" to me. I've accidentally tossed my trash into this can (and had to fish it back out) on more then one occasion.

If you'd like to take on a fun project of repainting the garbage cans in your school, or even your own containers at home, here are instructions for what to do. Grab some friends, round up some young children in the neighborhood. You'll have a great time and in process you'll be making your world more beautiful!

Supplies:
Disposable, inexpensive paint brushes
Drop cloth
Old Clothes or something protective to wear
Bucket
Wash Cloth
Liquid dish soap


Rust-Oleum brand paint and primer for Metal Cans (Either brush on or spray).

Krylon Fusion for Plastic (available only in spray). No primer necessary.



Instructions:
1) Take garbage can outside, or to a well ventilated location.
2) Thoroughly wash the outside of the trash can using warm soapy water, then let it completely dry.
3) If you are painting a metal can, prime first then let completely air dry.
4) Next, paint random patterns and designs using either spray cans or brushes and the type of paint recommended for your kind of garbage can. (metal cans = Rust-oleum. Plastic = Krylon Fusion for plastic).
5) Let cans air dry overnight.

Send me a photo of what you do and I'll post them on this blog.
kaul.us@comcast.net

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS


5 leave me a comment:

  1. hmmm... now you have me wondering what I can paint that won't get me in too much trouble with DH (Lord of his domain LOL) we don't have metal garbage cans, but I'm sure I can come up with something! :o)
    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the can, but I love everything you paint, just wish we could get together and do a painting project!
    ReplyDelete
  3. Dudess,
    Love the idea, & Im going to try it next school year.
    sarah
    ReplyDelete
  4. I've been asked to do a painting on a galvanized garbage can. Never having done this before, my question is ... How do I go about this?

    Do I need an undercoat of some kind

    What kind of paint works on this surface

    Will I need to have a top coat, or varnish, or anything?
    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello,
    Yes, I would suggest an undercoat with a can of spray paint that is specifically for priming metal. You can easily find such a thing at most hardware stores. "Z-Primer" for metal is a good choice.

    For the actual paint, you can use exterior house paint, spray paint, or paint designed for use on metal. Again, hit your local hardware store to find lots of choices in paint that you can use.

    If the can will remain indoors, you can also use acrylic paints. But since acrylics are water soluble, they cannot be used on cans that will be outdoors.

    For a final topcoat, it's not necessary. Do you want it to be shiny or flat? This would determine for me if I wanted a final top coat.
    ReplyDelete

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