Hello dear friends!! I’ve got another thrifty makeover for y’all today! I’ll be using a metal tote to share how to paint galvanized metal. This tote never knew it could be so sweet!
I found this galvanized tote for $2.25 at the thrift store:
I give pretty much anything that serves a function a second look when I’m looking for treasures. This tote could hold so many things!
I decided that I wanted to paint it though and set out to do just that!
How to paint galvanized metal
Just like the metal mirror I shared previously, after a quick wipe down, I also prepped this metal surface with Slick Stick:
Slick Stick adheres to non-porous surfaces like metal, glass, laminate, plastic, and more. This allows you to then paint without fear of it scratching off.
- Apply one coat
- Apply second coat after two hours
- Allow to dry overnight before painting
That’s it! You are now ready to paint! I actually let this sit for a few days while I decided where I wanted to go with it.
Finally, I painted it with my go-to bright white paint: Cotton.
Once I had it painted, I sanded lightly all over with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old foam sanding sponge:
After wiping away any sanding dust, I decided to dig through my transfers and see if I had any pretty leftover pieces I could use to embellish this tote a bit.
I found these two:
I had a small transfer left from a set of four and a couple of scraps of this gingham one. You may still be able to find these transfers by searching their names on Etsy.
I loved the flowers at the bottom of the “home” transfer, so I cut them to fit and flipped them upside down to add them to the front of the tote:
They appeared to be right-side up when separated from the rest of the transfer, so they worked out great.
I used a razor blade to carefully trim around the handle…
I could have used the “Home” part on the inside, but I really love this cute gingham check.
The two scrap pieces I had left were a perfect fit for the bottom of the inside:
To seal and protect the paint and transfers, I used Best Dang Wax in clear.
THe Result
Here is how this pretty little lady turned out:
So sweet now!
The roses were just what this piece needed to sweeten it up, and they fit just right!
This would be great to hold all those toiletries that need corralling on our counters or dressers!
Here’s a peek of the inside…
That’s two simple projects brought to life with transfers this week! See the other one HERE if you missed it!
That’s one project closer to completing this haul!!
I’m SO close!! Visit any of the makeovers from this haul at the links below:
$5 Thrift Store Mirror
Painted Dressing Table Bench
DIY Fall Frame Wreath
How to turn a Sewing Table into a Dressing Table
$5 Barn Sale Mirror Makeover
How to Paint Nicotine Stained Furniture (Trestle Table)
80’s Country Cabinet Makeover
Four Thrifty Basket Makeovers
Farmhouse Hutch Makeover
How to Repurpose small lamps
How to Repurpose an Old Swivel Mirror
Painting the Smalls #12
Coastal Dresser Makeover
$5 Bulletin Board Makeover
$3 Thrift Store Basket and Lid Repurposed
Summer Basket Wreath from a $3 Thrift Store Find
$7 Thrift Store Mirror Makeover
Vintage Cane Club Chairs Updated
$6 Thrift Store Shelf Makeover with Transfer
Pub Table Makeover
Becky’s Secretary Desk Makeover
Update a Thrift Store Box with Fabric
$5 Buffet Lamps Updated with Decoupage Paper
Mirror Harp Repurposed
I’ll be back sharing what I did with this set of mirrors!
UPDATE: Go see how these look now HERE…you won’t guess what I did with them!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Maryellen Webber says
Wow Christy, the rose and gingham transfers really change the look of the metal tote. Beautiful job! Have a wonderful weekend!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Maryellen! Enjoy your weekend too, my friend! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh my is that ever a little sweet piece now, amazing! Wow I love what paint and transfers can do for making something beautiful! I love your combination of white with the florals and the black and white gingham just sets it off. Super cute!! By the way thanks for the heads up that the “paint” I ordered is one the way from your Etsy shop….YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary!! It was fun to play around with these leftover transfer pieces! Enjoy your “paint” ha ha! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I was so sure this was going to get the Christy-stripe treatment, but you surprised me again 😁
Such a beauty with the transfers! More proof that it doesn’t have to take a lot of work to make something look good.
Christy says
Ooh yes…stripes would have been lovely, and I did consider for a moment adding pale pink stripes to the handle, but I decided to leave it as is in the end. And yes, this wasn’t hard at all! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Cara says
You make such beautiful pieces, how do you let them go? I would want to hold onto each and every one of them! Totally defeats the purpose, but that is me. I need to let some things go and really need to take stock of what I have around our cozy cottage and give some of your ideas a try on them. I wish I were not so sentimental… it gets me into trouble!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cara! I’ll admit, it’s not always easy saying good-bye, but I know there will be more pretty things that will come along! If you have things that mean a lot to you, I say keep ’em! XOXO
susan ross hill says
Just LOVE this!!!! LOve that you show us small projects along with the bigger ones.
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! Sometimes these smaller projects are my favorites! I’m glad you enjoy them too! XOXO
Christina says
SOOOO sweet Christy!!! The roses were a perfect choice! Love this little tote. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Christy says
Thanks, Christina! I hope you have a wonderful weekend too! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Now this is the cutest and sweetest tote I believe I’ve ever seen. You never cut corners and it shows in all you do. You go the extra mile to make something ok to something beautiful. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Yay!! Thank you, Janice! I appreciate that so much, my friend! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Sue says
Another winner! What a lovely makeover! I love the combination of the roses and black and white gingham. You are right! This tray is a charmer. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy your weekend!
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Have a wonderful weekend also! XOXO
Sheila Pack says
Wow, wow, WOW! This just became one of my all-time favorites among your beautiful re-purposing and ‘let’s make this beautiful’ projects. LOVE that you always share the products you use (especially the problem solvers like SLICK STICK, which I need to buy!) I look forward to your posts, and one of these ‘thrifting’ days, I’m going to run across that *perfect* item and bring it home to be given new life. As I’m still working (2 jobs, lol) I don’t have a lot of time for projects right now, but I’ll retire one of these years and start prettying up random useful items. Thank you so much for sharing!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Sheila!! It is always a pleasure to share! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! You can’t go wrong with a pretty transfer.
Christy says
That is for sure, my friend! XOXO
Edna says
How cute is that, as always. You are so amazing and creative. Love your work. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Edna! Thank you!! XOXO
LORRI says
Oh this is so so pretty.😍Anyone would love this tote in their home. That Slick is very slick. I will have to order some since I love painting metal items. 😁
Christy says
Thank you, Lorri! Slick Stick is awesome!! XOXO
Tera says
Is this for sale? I LOVE this.
Christy says
Thank you, Tera! I normally only ship smaller items that can fit in a flat rate USPS box, and with the size of this, that would have to be a large if it fit at all. That ends up costing $21 to ship, so it usually isn’t worth shipping. If you are local to the Virginia Beach area, however, I just dropped it off at my booth today! XOXO
Cecilia says
Very nice! I love the soft look of the roses! So much better than the hard metal look.
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Yes, for sure! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
That Slick Stick works on everything! Super cute makeover my friend. Love the added floral touch! XOXO
Christy says
It sure does!! Thank you so much, Denise! Have an amazing weekend!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
I LOVE IT!!!! You have the greatest knack for aligning the transfers perfectly! And the check is so nice on the bottom. Just lovely…
Christy says
Thank you, Denise!! XOXO
Gloria Pflager says
turned out so cute — where did you get the faux pink roses/stems that are laying next to it and in the pitcher?
Christy says
Thank you, Gloria! I got those at Michaels many years ago. 🙂 XOXO
Amanda says
This is lovely!!! Totally updated from the original look. I’m sure you’re excited to finish up this haul! It’s so much fun to follow along. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Amanda! I am SO thrilled to be this close to being done! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it! I have a new haul, but this new one has lots of furniture woohoo! XOXO
Marietta Walker says
Just amazing, as always. I am rethinking all my rusty galvanized peices now!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Marietta! Ha ha! XOXO
Karen A Cronk says
The Slick Stick will keep the paint from scratching off, yet you could sand it off the edges?
Christy says
Hi Karen! Yes, but I had to sand it super hard…that’s why it hardly looks distressed! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
Another awesome, Christy (-:
Christy says
Thank you, Connie!! XOXO
Connie says
Just beautiful as always! Can’t wait to see the mirrors on Tuesday!
Christy says
Thank you, Connie! See ya Tuesday! XOXO
Michele M. says
It is absolutely beautiful, Christy! Well done – is stunning. Love how you featured it – perfectly perfect there corralling those items. Love.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Michele!! XOXO
Janet says
Hi Christy
That galvanized tote turned out so pretty!
I just received my order from your Etsy store and was so impressed with your careful and attractive packaging. It was like receiving a gift!! I can’t wait to use the product and my new brush!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janet! And I’m so glad you enjoyed unpacking your new goodies! Packing them is fun for me! Happy creating! XOXO
Carroll Xavier says
So pretty and feminine, an incredible transformation! I love how innovative you are with transfers. I have a clodhopper of a metal ‘thing’ that could use prettifying so thank you for the amazing inspiration 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Carroll! They really are fun to play with! Have fun with yours! XOXO
N. MacGregor says
I noticed in one of the earlier comments you indicated you had dropped the tote off at your shop. Just wondering how much this item was priced at?
BTW – I absolutely love how the metal tote was transformed from a black swan into a true beauty. If I lived closer I would rush out and buy this item in a heart beat.
Not sure how you continue to come up with great ideas – you truly have a rare vision for transforming your projects.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate your kind words so much! Thank you!! I believe I priced this at $28. XOXO
Bonnie says
I have a “slight” hoarding tendency
Uh hmm so wouldn’t pay for me to go shopping with you.
You know I am a die hard Christy fan and very few things you have done I have not liked. This is so pretty. Happy October my friend, may you find lots of spook tactiler deals.
Christy says
Ha ha thank you so much, Bonnie!! You know I love this time of year!! XOXO
Robin says
Well, I dare say that I wouldn’t have found a tote like that for the price you paid! It is adorable now.
Christy says
Thank you, Robin! This was a great find for sure! XOXO
Liliane says
Hello Christy,
You always do such a beautiful job on every project you work on. You are extremely creative and I love receiving your daily inspirations. Wishing you and your family a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Christy says
Thank you, Liliane! I appreciate that so much! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! XOXO