I picked up this old galvanized bucket at a thrift store a few weeks ago. I usually leave them as-is, because they’re so darn cute, but I decided to play around with this one a bit. I’ve done a lot of transfer projects on wood and canvas, but I thought I’d try it on metal this time. I was a little concerned that I might ruin the cute bucket, but crossed my fingers that it would turn out.
SHOP FOR GALVANIZED BUCKETS HERE
I printed out the Milk & Cream graphic and used my usual image transfer process (found HERE if you need instructions).
**Because I don’t know if the Milk & Cream image is a public domain image, I do not share it, but I have many free antique graphics that would look just as awesome here.
I wasn’t sure how well the image would transfer on such a dented, rusty surface, but there was no going back at this point.
Holding my breath and hoping for the best!
A bit of the image did come off when I was rubbing away the paper, but I think it just looks more like an authentically aged galvanized bucket that way, and I really love how it turned out.
As usual with image transfers, even after I had rubbed away the paper, the image look cloudy, but this one look more more cloudy, and I really thought it was ruined. I removed as much of the paper as I possibly could, without removing the image itself, but it was still really cloudy looking. I thought I was going to have to paint the bucket, because I was convinced I’d ruined it, but I wiped some tung oil over it, and all the cloudiness went away and the image itself looked sharp and wonderful. Whew!! So, if you’ve never done an image transfer before, don’t freak out if your image looks cloudy. Apply wax or another sealer over it, and it’s always come out fine for me.
Congratulations to Lucy Auburn, the winner of the $150 Fusion paint giveaway!
You’ll find more of my Repurposed Vintage projects here.
That bucket is just awesome, Angie!
OH I love how that bucket turned out! Congrats to Lucy!
I’ve always loved that image and now I love that bucket! Great project 🙂
Super cute Angie!
Wow! It looks amazing and very authentic! Love how it turned out, just perfect.
Love how the bucket turned out! Awesome!
Thank you Angie~ for sharing this super cute bucket project! I was holding my breath with you in this post. So glad that it turned out.
Love the bucket’s new look. Our thrift store considers buckets as unsanitary and throws them out!
I’ve been waiting for you to try a metal piece, I love how it turned out. Very fun! I really enjoy following you.
This project is absolutely darling!!! Love buckets and love that transfer!
That looks great! Love all your projects.
Oh I love this! You make things look so easy! And the image you used is charming on this bucket! I don’t have a vinyl machine and I always wonder how to do these things. You are genius! Thank you!
Oh, this is just wonderful! I love the old galvanized buckets as they are, but you really stepped it up with this fantastic graphic…now I feel I NEED to do this, too! And what a great tip to use a sealer over the image if it turns out cloudy…I’m going to keep that in mind…thank you!
Angie, the bucket came out great.
Love the bucket–have a couple I would love to do this with–where can I get the transfer? Thanks!
That specific image is here, Sally – https://knickoftime.net/2013/02/milk-and-cream-co-sign.html
Awesome Angie!
If the transfer had been perfect it wouldn’t have looked authentic. This is a great piece. I see it on the front porch full of red geraniums!
Wow , The pail looks great!
Fabulous bucket project,love it!
That bucket is really a cool find! And the image on it is perfect. Good work!
I LOVE it, Angie! It turned out just perfect.
Love, love your website and all your neat ideas! Also love the daily emails.
Looks fabulous! Thanks for the transfer method tips, this is really doable for me, so i know I’m going to want to try this.
Angie,
I love how your vintage Milk and Cream Co bucket turned out! It’s sooo darn cute!
catching you!
gail
Thanks so much, Gail! 🙂
Wonderful! Is there a link to the “Milk and Cream Co.” graphic?
Love this, Angie! Thanks for sharing!
I love the way it came out! Yay Fusion!
Well….I have the old bucket, I’m armed with a ton of your awesome image shares and now I have the directions! I’m gonna do it! Your’s is way too cool right down to the color and paint loss! Bravo! Well wish me good luck, send good ju-ju my way and keep on doing what you love!
Have fun and please send me a photo when you finish yours – I’d love to see it! 🙂
I have the perfect bucket for this project that I picked up at a yard sale! Thanks so much!
I think I have an old galvanized something or other that this treatment will be great on! Thank you!
What did you use to apply the image on to the bucket?
Thank you! Just what I was looking for! My bucket has no handle and has some dents…..so perfect! Right? LOL