How to Paint Galvanized Metal

AFFORDABLE DO IT YOURSELF HOME PROJECTS | DIY CHALK/MINERAL PAINT | DIY PARTY SUPPLIES

Nearly every morning, I wake up to this:

I hate to complain because when this is on the counter, it means my husband made me a yummy breakfast.

I needed a solution so the oatmeal could stay on the counter and not bug me. I came across this cheap ice bucket at Wal-Mart:

I didn’t like the galvanized metal, but I couldn’t pass up the shape and little scoop.

I planned to use the bucket for oatmeal, but the fact that it was intended to be an ice bucket got me thinking that I needed an ice bucket as well. You know, for all the parties I throw…

Honestly, there were so many cute galvanized containers I had a hard time narrowing it down to just two!

I stopped at Home Depot on the way home to select the perfect shade of blue for my galvanized metal bucket makeovers. I chose Behr “rainwater.”

Note: I always buy the cheapest sample jars of paint at Home Depot, and it bugs me when the paint guy automatically “upgrades” me to the more expensive stuff. You DO NOT NEED the “Ultra” or “Marquee” when you add BB Frösch Paint Transformer. Just make sure you buy flat/matte.

The weather today was perfect for painting outside, so I took full advantage and worked on my projects while these guys swam.

First, I made my own chalk/mineral paint using BB Frösch Paint Transformer. It is more affordable than pre-mixed chalk/mineral paint, and I pick whatever color I want.

A quick six-second video on how easy it is to mix your own chalk/mineral paint, for your viewing pleasure…

Note: If you do not add BB Frösch Paint Transformer to your paint, it WILL NOT bond with your galvanized metal. It will simply peel or scratch off.

The first coat took about five minutes and didn’t look that impressive. I prefer to get one thin coat on whatever I am painting, then after it has dried, I apply the second coat. I feel like this gives me better coverage and fewer coats than trying to get thick coverage with one coat.

Note: I didn’t paint the whole inside. I only painted about 5 inches down since any time I use it, it will be filled at least that high with ice.

I applied the second coat after about 15 minutes, and it was ready to wax 30 minutes later.

Note: If I were going to store this outside, I would have sealed with poly instead of wax.

Since I don’t plan to store this outside, I went with my favorite way to seal a chalk/mineral-painted surface. BB Frösch Finishing Wax dries and cures in minutes (not days or weeks like many brands), and it’s easier/less time consuming to apply than a poly.

If your’e wondering how the waxed surface deals with water, check out how it just beads up!

As for the ice bucket-turned-oatmeal container, it looks better, too: