DIY Old Milk Can Decorating Ideas (Chalk Paint & Transfer Makeover)

My hubby’s good friend Harry gave us this vintage milk can after cleaning out his father-in-law’s home, and he knew exactly where it belonged: with us! With a little chalk paint and a Magnolia transfer, it went from rusty and forgotten to a piece I enjoy! Keep reading for the full tutorial plus a whole list of other ways to decorate with an old milk can.

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This post is sponsored by Dixie Belle. All opinions are my own.

Vintage milk cans look amazing in a farmhouse or country-style home decor setting. Using them as a decorative piece is a great way to bring a little bit of the past and preserve some of our American history.

Prefer to watch a video? Watch the complete step-by-step makeover in the video below or keep reading this post for the full tutorial with pro-tips!

step-by-step instructions

Here are the simple steps I took to give this old milk can a new look and purpose!

step one: clean the vintage milk jug

I used a shop vac to remove the loose dust and cobwebs. It was covered in cobwebs! The shop vac also removed the loose rust.

Then I used soapy water and my garden hose along with an old piece of sandpaper. The sandpaper softened with the water and I used it to scrub any rust away. I left the milk can in the sunshine to dry completely.

step two: sand the old milk can

A wire brush helped to get rid of the rust that I missed while scrubbing. I wasn’t planning on removing every bit of the old paint and damage on this rusty milk can, but I wanted to eliminate as much of the rust as I could. A microfiber cloth over the whole piece removed the dust I created with the wire brush.

step three: build the base

The bottom of this antique milk can was pretty rusted and I knew I didn’t want to spend the time to restore the metal on the underside of the can. Plus, I want to use this milk can in an outdoor space for our home.

So, I decided to build a round base to keep the bottom of the can from coming in contact with the cement surface of our outdoor back patio. Hubby had some PVC boards left over from a project and I knew they would be perfect. It’s probably easier to watch the steps in a video so I created a recording of this process for you. You can watch the video near the top of this post.

Basically, I joined two PVC boards together so that they would be wide enough for my circle base. Then I drew a circle on the boards large enough to have approximately 1″ larger than the base of the milk can.

I used metal strapping to create my own brackets and attached the round base to the milk can in the existing holes on the base of the milk can.

Be sure to watch the process in the video later in this post! It was relatively simple to make this base. If you don’t have PVC boards to make your own circular base, you could also place your milk can on a round plant stand that is used to raise a plant off of the floor. 

The most important thing is to prevent the milk can from sitting in water that could collect under it after it rains. You don’t want the bottom of the milk can to rust out!

Of course, you can also use these vintage treasures in an area that will not get wet like a covered porch or even indoors in your living space.

step four: apply the chalk paint

Before I applied the color that I wanted to use, I first sprayed the entire milk can with a clear coat. I gave the can two coats of clear allowing it to dry between coats. This is the best way to prevent rust on metal containers of any sort.

Then I applied two coats of BOSS, allowing drying time between coats. BOSS is a stain and bleedthrough blocker that will prevent dark paint colors (and stains!) from coming through.

Then I applied two coats of chalk paint in the color Fluff. It’s a soft white that would look perfect with my transfer. It’s the perfect kind of paint for this project because I could apply a heavy coat with my paintbrush in a crisis cross fashion that would leave obvious brush strokes. 

This metal milk can already had layers of paint that created texture. The random brush strokes add to the farmhouse look that is perfect for these older milk cans!

step five: apply the transfer

Have you used transfers on any of your projects? They are so much fun to work with and they are a great way to add a decorative element to many thrift store pieces. I used this magnolia transfer in a previous project when I demonstrated how to use rub-on transfers on furniture. 

This full sheet was leftover from a gorgeous piece of furniture just waiting for the next project!

step one: decide on placement

The first step when applying for a transfer is to decide on the placement. The transfers come with a backing sheet that prevents the transfer from coming off prematurely. The transfer I am using is one full sheet so placement was simple! 

If your transfer has several components, cut the sections out and decide how you want them laid out on your piece. It’s best to have a plan before you start to apply the transfer!

step two: remove the backing

Next, pull the backing sheet away from the transfer sheet and stick it in place. Blue painter’s tape is helpful when holding it in place. Once the transfer has made contact with the surface, it is next to impossible to remove it without damaging the transfer designs. Be sure of placement before making contact with the surface!

step three: rub on transfer

Use the tool that comes with each transfer rub on top of the transfer sheet over the design. This will press the design onto the surface. Take your time and go over the entire design of the transfer. You will see the color of the change of the transfer, or maybe I should say lighten, as the transfer makes good contact with the surface.

step four: smooth the transfer

Once the transfer is completely on the surface of the milk can, use the shiny side of the transfer sheet to smooth out the transfer. I have also used my fingers to do this without any problems. You just want to be sure all of the transfer has made good contact with the surface, especially the edges of the transfer!

step five: create a vintage appearance

Speaking of the edges of the transfer, they were a little too perfect for my liking. So I used a fine flexible sanding sponge and softened the edges to give it a time-worn look. A little bit of paint on the end of a small artist’s paintbrush helped to soften the edge even more. I also did a little knife distressing to add another layer of age! 

step six: seal the painted surface

The next step is crucial to preserving all of your work! Chalk paint needs to be sealed and the perfect solution to seal this freshly painted old milk can is to use Gator Hide. This product is rated for outdoor use, is non-yellowing, and is so durable! 

We have used it on our outdoor oak table top and it holds up wonderfully through all sorts of weather!

I applied the first coat and then allowed it to dry for two hours, then applied a second coat and allowed it to dry completely overnight.

more old milk can decorating ideas

Once you’ve got the hang of one milk can makeover, you’ll start seeing possibilities everywhere. Here are a few more ways to decorate with an old milk can around your home:

• Stencil your house number on the milk can for a one of a kind piece on your front porch.
• Attach a wooden round top found at your local lumber store to create a charming little side table for a patio or entryway.
• Leave the lid off and use it as a rustic umbrella stand by the front door.
• Use it as a plant stand; just add a plant saucer underneath to protect the painted surface. A Boston Fern looks especially gorgeous in an old milk can!
• Fill it with tall dried florals or wheat stems for instant farmhouse charm indoors.
• Use the milk can without the lid as a kindling holder near a fireplace.
• Paint the milk can in a patriotic theme for summer outdoor decorating.
• Attach a round deep-dish pie plate, fill it with water, and use it as a bird bath in your garden space. Add a layer of small rocks for the birds to perch on.
• Place a small faux Christmas tree on top for the Christmas season!

another upcycled old milk can idea

A few years back, my hubby and I stumbled upon a milk can in good condition at a yard sale. He had a cool idea to add a stylish wood top to it, making it an amazing side table for our front porch. 

He had also used black spray paint on it to preserve the metal. Then a couple of summers ago, I gave the milk can table a fresh coat of paint. We just can’t stop making things over around here!

Seriously, what is wrong with me!! Do you like change as much as I do??

FAQs about old milk cans

milk can history

Old milk cans started beingused in the United States back in the 19th century, and they’re sometimes called milk churns too. Dairy farmers used them to transport fresh milk from the farm to their customers, who would meet the farmer at a set location with their own container in hand, ready to fill it up with their supply of milk for the week.

Here are a couple of articles with more information on these classic pieces of our history:

How to Date Old Milk Cans

Celebrate Milk Cans as Collectibles

Let me know if you have come across an old milk can in your thrifting and auctions shopping adventures! This one is making a beautiful addition to our back patio. It is the perfect new side table to set my hot coffee on in the mornings this summer! Maybe I’ll even have a tall glass of milk in the mornings and set it on this sweet little table!

more awesome thrift store makeovers

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