DIY: French Country Garbage Can

Creating a French Country antique paint finish on a Garbage Can is an easy project that can be accomplished in one weekend. To start this French Country Garbage Can project you will need a few different materials from your local home improvement store as well as some time.

Those cheap plain fake wood Garbage Cans, plastic garbage cans, or even metal garbage cans are perfect for French Country antiquing. If you have old or outdated wood Garbage Can and just want to change the color or look this French Country antique paint process is also good. Just be sure to primer the garbage can with the right kind of primer first.

Here is a list of supplies you will need to start French Country antiquing and resurfacing your old Garbage Can:

Primer
Bright or Royal Blue Paint & Sunny Yellow Paint or Terra Cotta and Blue Paint
Roller paint brushes
a variety of 2", 3", or 4" paintbrushes
Wood stain
Glaze
Sandpaper
Drop clothes
Cheap, outdated, or plain Garbage Can

Now, start sanding the surface of your plain Garbage Can. Once you have the surface lightly sanded, you should wipe off the dust with a clean dry clothe. An old white t-shirt will work perfectly here.

Now, you are ready to put a coat of primer. If you are using a cheap fake wood or plastic Garbage Can this is a very important step. Your resurfacing and French Country antique paint technique will not stick to your surface if you don't sand and then prime your Garbage Can.

If you want a rough more rustic French Country look try putting the primer on with one of the 4" brushes. This will give texture and create the look of real wood. If you prefer the smoother look you can roll the paint on with any type of paint roller. A foam roller will create the smoothest surface.

Allow your primer to dry completely.

Put on a coat of your base paint, which can be one of two colors. You can use yellow as your base and blue as your topcoat or blue as your base and terra cotta as your topcoat. This first paint should not be the actual color you want your French Country Garbage Can to end up, but the color you want to show through when you antique the Garbage Can.

Now you are ready to paint your French Country Garbage Can with the real color you wish them to be, so blue or terra cotta, whichever applies to you?

Don't be scared to choose a bright color because the antiquing process will tone down the appearance of the French Country Garbage Can considerably.

Once your French Country Garbage Can color has dried you are ready to start antiquing it. Start by using the sand paper to rough up edges and other areas that would typically be used over time.

This will allow your sunny yellow to show through the bright blue or your blue to show through the terra cotta color.

Once you have finished sanding the French Country Garbage Can wipe the surface down with a clean dry cloth. That old white t-shirt will work well here again. You can stop at this point, but if you want to go the extra mile you can use a mixture of ½ wood stain and ½ glaze to darken your piece.

Start by mixing your wood stain and glaze in a plastic container. Use a white rag or another old t-shirt to rub the stain onto the French Country Garbage Can.

You can do this process until you achieve the antique look you want for your French Country Garbage Can.

Tips:

For additional French Country antique inspired embellishments to a very plain Cheap Garbage Can try attaching some pre cut wood embellishments. You can find them at any home improvement store.

This will completely change the look of your inexpensive Garbage Can and instantly give a French Country antique feel.

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