The V Spot

Rants, observations, and home decorating... from a woman with no time for a blog.


Create a faux-rust effect using spray paint and salt.

37 Comments

Yep.  Spray paint and salt can give you an instant weathered iron effect.  You can create a faux rust effect using these ingredients.
Faux rust technique using spray paint and salt
As I am still sick, today I thought I’d share how to create a chipped, rusted paint effect.  (When I am feeling better I will show you on an actual project, but for now, just the technique.)
 It’s pretty simple.  Model Railroad guys use this to add a weathered, rusted effect to their trains.  Here’s what you’ll need:

A dark color in rust or charcoal, salt and your top color.  I used regular salt for this, but you could use rock salt or epsom salt as well.
Spray your darker base color and let dry.  (I didn’t do it for the sake of this tutorial, but I would recommend using a combo of rust with a bit of charcoal here and there for the base coat…)
Sprinkle the top with salt in the random places you want to create the chipped and weathered look.

Carefully, carefully spray short bursts or your top coat.  You have to use a light hand for this or you might blow the salt away with the force of the spray.

Let the paint dry, then knock/brush off the salt with a rag or a dry paintbrush.

You can leave it as is or you can lightly sand it.

This technique has lots of possibilities… making wooden signs look like they are rusted tin… adding to wooden frames to make them look like they’re iron…

I plan to take a basic terra-cotta flower pot and make it look like a chippy iron pot.

There you go.  Easy peasy, shabby chic.


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Comments

  14. That is so cool Vivienne, I love it!

    And I am so sorry you’re sick – boo! I hope you feel better soon!

    Getting excited for your visit in a couple of months!

    Reply

  27. I love it! Today I was spray painting outside and water dripped on my board while I was painting. I thought, “hey that looks pretty cool; I might have to do this on purpose sometime!” But salt?? I never woulda thunk!

    Reply

  28. Okay, gotta try this. I love the look. Thanks so much for sharing. Im new to blogland, only 3 weeks in so COME FOLLOW ME. I’ve just become your newest follower.

    Reply

  31. You can lightly mist your surface to help the salt stick. This is especially useful if you are not working with a flat surface. I am a model railway guy and use the teqnique all the time. Love the crossover of information!

    Reply

  32. You can lightly mist your surface to help the salt stick. This is especially useful if you are not working with a flat surface. I am a model railway guy and use the teqnique all the time. Love the crossover of information!

    Reply

  34. Hi there, Great tips by the way and thank you.
    I did have a question though. I’m hoping you can answer it for me since you seem
    to be pretty knowledgeable about gardening. How can I make a
    raised-bed vegetable garden (lots of land, economical, deer)?

    If you had some insight I would greatly appreciate it.

    Reply

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