DIY Faux Galvanized Tin: Turning an Old Popcorn Tin Into Rustic Magic

Today I want to share how to transform a classic Christmas popcorn tin into a Farm Fresh Christmas Tree galvanized tin using a faux galvanized painting technique. Perfect for holiday decor!

Just last week, I went to my mom's house to help clean out her garage. 

Now, if you know me, you already know what that means: I was scavenging for my next upcycle adventure. 

Cleaning? Sure. 

But hunting for hidden gems? Absolutely.

It’s our little arrangement—Mom gets her clutter cleared out, and I get “new” materials to transform. Win-win, right? 

Although I have a sneaking suspicion that once this particular project is finished, she may decide she wants it back. But hey, I’m okay with that. I can only house so many projects before my husband starts questioning my life choices!

This time, I unearthed an old, forgotten Christmas popcorn tin. It had definitely seen better days—it was rusty (which I find endearing), but the kitten and although I love trains, decided it wasn’t quite my style. 

Let’s be honest, though: it wasn’t exactly forgotten. Once I opened it, I found it was Mom’s makeshift potting soil container.

After dumping out the remnants of its soil days and giving it a much-needed scrub (we’re talking cobwebs, dirt, and probably a few decades of garage grime), I had a lightbulb moment.

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

Could I make this tin look like galvanized metal? 

 

Well, no time like the present to see if we can test this theory out and see what this old gal becomes. I do love a good popcorn tin craft idea, don't you?

Vintage Christmas DIY For the Holidays 

Materials:

1. Popcorn tin
2. Rustoleum Black spray paint
3. Folkart Silver Argent Metallic Paint
4. Waverly White Chalk Paint 
5. Chip Brush
6. Rounded stencil brush
7. Christmas stencil Farm Fresh Christmas Trees

Instructions:

• Clean the tin. If yours has been living in a garage like mine, you’ll want to give it a good scrub and let it dry completely.
• Apply black spray paint as your base coat. I chose spray paint because this tin is huge. 
• Using a chip brush, stipple the silver metallic paint all over. This adds texture and gives that worn, rustic look we all love.
• Once dry, grab your stencil and add a festive design. I used my "Farm Fresh Christmas Trees" stencil because it’s been my go-to for several projects now, like my Christmas Slate Tile Sign. (You can check that project out here).
• Optional: Use white chalk paint for a few highlights to give it more dimension.

And voilà! Your popcorn tin is now a chic, faux galvanized tin ready for its second act.
  

Tips from My DIY Toolbox:

• I have found chip brushes are best to use when creating texture. I have used them to create a cast iron look, I use them for Mod Podge application, and this faux galvanized look, the possibilities are endless.
• I purchased stencils several years ago from a small vendor. At the time they suggested rounded stencil brushes. I thought I am sure it is an upsell idea. Well.... ok, so they were onto something here. When I use a rounded stencil brush my projects do not bleed through. I'm happy I finally caved and picked up a few. 
• Spray paint the tin, it saves so much time and money. Since it was raining, I considered chalk paint, but I knew it would take up too much of my day. I did a quick spray, and brought it back into the house and sat it in front of a fan to dry. 
• Since the tree stand would not fit inside the galvanized tin, I stuffed grocery bags all around the tree base to keep it upright. 

Sorry I didn't show a photo of spray painting this tin, it was raining!

Why DIY?

Have you seen how much these faux galvanized tins cost in stores and online? I’m talking champagne prices. But you know me: I’m all about champagne taste on a beer budget. This project saved me a chunk of change, and it’s honestly so satisfying to know I made it myself.

The Finished Piece

This tin turned out better than I imagined, and now it’s the perfect base for our silver Christmas tree. I debated where to put it—our bedroom? The foyer? The dining room?—but it ultimately landed in the kitchen. Because let’s face it, every kitchen needs a Christmas tree, right?

Here's a sneak peek of our kitchen decorated for Christmas this year; I kept it simple. 

Now, I know some people think I’m not always practical, but I am fun. My home is a little quirky, a little unexpected, and filled with projects that keep life interesting.

Part of the Do It Over Designers

This Christmas popcorn tin makeover is part of the Do It Over Designers challenge, where we give old or forgotten items a new lease on life. It’s a fitting addition to my collection of upcycled projects, like my upcycled can project and my DIY fall garland.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to dig through your garage and start your own upcycling adventure? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to share your projects—I’d love to see what you create!

Now let's hop on over to see what my friends have been up to this holiday season! 

Little Vintage Cottage

Modern on Monticello

Purple Hues & Me

Sum of Their Stories

Tea and Forget-Me-Nots

Color Me Thrifty

Vintage Style Gal

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Ciao,

Cara