Yard Sale Flip

If you're lucky enough to find something at a yard sale that you already have an idea for, and one that is easy to work with, then you're already a step ahead. I was lucky this time. I found this galvanized pail at a yard sale and it had a design on one side, but nothing on the other side.
Lots of potential!

Here's my great find! (I'm in Canada and don't really have ties to the U.S.)

And the other side only had colour - no design.

You'll need to find, or make, a template for your stencil. I found this one here.

Cut out your template. You'll need some double sided tape and spray paint. I used Tremclad rust paint in flat black.

The tape needs to be as close to the edges as possible so the template sticks completely flat to the object you're painting, You may also have to find a substitute for double sided tape if what you're painting is delicate. I didn't find it too aggressive though. You could also try "de-sticking"? the tape by applying and removing the template to some clothing a few times.

Apply the template and smooth flat, making sure there are no air bubbles.

The spray paint covered very good. This Tremclad paint had primer in it too.

You should wait until it dries before removing the template. I sprayed too close the first time and I knew some paint dripped behind the template, so I wanted to remove it before it dried to try to fix it. Remember to not spray too close to start so you can get a feel for how the paint sprays out.

So it's not perfect and there is some smudging, but that's no big deal. To fix the paint that dripped behind the template, I scraped it with an Exacto knife. And because that scraped the original paint off too, I just made it part of the design all the way around.

And that's it. I'll probably leave it outside to use as a planter. If it rusts a little, it will just add to the look of the design.