Rusty Lanterns Project
Are you ready for a very easy Rusty Lanterns DIY project? I had these metal white lanterns laying around that I got at a flea market. They looked kind of drab, but I always thought at some point I'd do something with them. So, I did. I gave them a rusty, patina look as if someone just got them off the bottom of the ocean. Rusty Lanterns look great with a beach house or farmhouse style decor. I used the Dixie Belle Patina Paint collection for this.
Supplies you need
For this project you need the following 6 things:
- Dixie Belle Slick Stick
- Dixie Belle Patina Collection – Iron
- Dixie Belle Patina Collection – Bronze
- Dixie Belle Patina Spray – Green
- Dixie Belle Patina Spray - Blue
- Chip brush
Start with Slick Stick
You start by putting a layer of Slick Stick on the metal. This is, to ensure that the paint you are going to use is going to stick. Let it dry and if needed (if it didn't cover everything) add another coat.
When it is all dry you start the first paint layer with iron patina paint and the green patina spray to start the rusting process.
Starting the rusting process
First, SHAKE and STIR the patina paint before you use it. It actually contains metal flakes that tend to lay on the bottom so this is a part you cannot skip. Paint the lantern in 1 layer of iron patina paint and you let that dry. The first coat always needs to dry before you start rusting. Because you are going to use the patina spray, it doesn't have to cover 100% everything. You can get away with a fairly thin first layer. Rather than brush strokes, I simply dab and stipple it on.
When the first layer is dry, go over it again with the second coat. When you have covered all the areas you want to rust, spray it with the green patina spray. You can see the rusting process starting right away. The best thing to do is to just let it do its thing for a few hours.
Look at how beautifully rusted it is! If you look closely you can see certain areas didn't rust and the iron paint can still be seen. That was done on purpose.
Starting the patina process
Next up is the patina process. Again, shake and stir your bronze paint before using it. Cover all the areas you want patina on with a thin layer of bronze paint and let it dry. Once it's dry, cover the same spots with the bronze patina paint again. While still wet, spray the blue patina spray on those areas (a little bit is enough!) You will see the patina starting to form right away. Like with the rusting process, you want to walk away and let it sit for a few hours.
When you come back, your rusty lanterns will have a beautiful patina color! I only use the Dixie Belle Patina Paint collection for this project and no sealer. Sealing makes the patina looks much darker and "smoother". That is not what I want on these rusty lanterns.
And just like that, you have two beautiful aged, rusty, patina lanterns. They are going to look great in your house!
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