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Before and After – How to Transform a Vintage Metal Milk Can

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Maybe a year ago, I spied this tired metal milk can at a yard sale and asked the price. I was shocked when she said $5.00! It’s a bit smaller than your typical vintage milk can, but that price was still a little unheard of! Clearly, I snatched it up! However, it has sat on our porch untouched since we brought it home. Until today! So, stick around to see how to transform a vintage metal milk can! 


Supplies needed for this project


metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

After cleaning the surface of my milk can, I started painting it with the chalk paint. The paint I used came from Amazon. It’s called Chalky Chicks Furniture Paint by Two Chicks & a Tool Belt. I did side to side paint strokes. 

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

My little boy decided he wanted to help do a little painting, too. He made sure I knew that we needed to be pressing down hard on the paint brush. Such a great helper he is. 🙂 

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

Almost done!

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

After our milk can was completely painted, we let it dry for a little bit.

Two good things about chalk paint : it dries very quickly, and you usually only need one coat. 


Next up! That calendar!

You know which one I’m talking about! The Farmer’s Market calendar from the Dollar Tree! 

The image below is what I decided to use for this project.

Another tip. You might notice my container. It has mod podge mixed with a bit of water to thin it out a bit. When I’m working on larger projects like this, I like to thin out my MP, so it spreads easier and does not dry as quickly, and it works just as good. 

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

The calendar image was a little large, so I did have to cut the top and bottom off a bit to get it to fit just inside the rims on the side of the milk can. 

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

Once I had my image placed onto the milk can, I started to apply the mod podge in sections using a sponge brush. I continued this until the entire image was adhered. The last step was to add a top coat of the mod podge to seal the image. How stinkin’ fabulous is this y’all?! 

metal milk can makeover | vintage milk can | farmhouse milk can | Dollar Tree project | Farmers Market Calendar

Did you enjoy learning how to transform a vintage metal milk can?

Hover over or click the picture below to pin to your Pinterest boards. 



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Thank you for visiting our blog! I hope you enjoyed this project! Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter and follow us on all social media! God bless! 


This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. Linda Bell

    I loved the milkcan it came out great I haven’t done anything with the farmhouse calendar as I can’t find one in Syracuse New York if you happen to get an extra one I would greatly appreciate it.Thank you in advane

    1. JRandLBriska

      Thank you, Ms Linda!

  2. Zelda Peacock

    Your milk can turned out really great. Nice work. Please consider me for a farmhouse calendar. Thank you for sharing all your ideas.

    1. JRandLBriska

      Thank you so much, Ms Zelda!

  3. DeAnn Stubbs

    Love the before and after! The color you used is so pretty!

    1. JRandLBriska

      Thank you so much, Ms DeAnn!

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