How do you prep a tin??
 

I read somewhere (I am guessing it was here on SU but might have been a blog) how to take a tin that already has an image and color on it and do "something" to prep it so that you can do your own coloring, etc. KWIM?? I am wondering if anyone can help me find such instructions. I found a really cute "tin" at the dollar store but it had an ugly picture on it that has to go first!!

Thanks for the help

bumping because I really would like to try "altering" this tin but I have to take off the paint and stuff. I know there is something I should do to it, like sand it or maybe put some liquid or something on it but I can't remember!

Does anyone know??

I'd like to know too. I have some old Altoid tins. Will gesso work? I'd rather stamp than just cover with paper.

Yes, I believe you can use gesso on tin.

I believe that gesso would work but I read somewhere about how to take the paint that is already on there off -- then you have a silver base to work with and not the white from the gesso.

HELP!! :-)

Mostly I've seen sandpaper recommended (to get the image off), but I also discovered that pumice stones will do it quite well, too. I'll warn you, though, that it takes a lot of elbow grease this way.

You would need to use gesso if you're planning to paint it with acrylic paints, from what I remember. Otherwise, the paints won't stick well.

HTH!

spray paint it first?
 

I have a bunch of candy tins that I want to use and I was just thinking about spray painting them and then using a coat of clear sealant on them. After that I can embellish the tin. I might try this today or tomorrow and will report back on it.

Please do let us know how it turns out! I've often wondered if spray paint would do the trick.

I once painted a tin with acrylic paints (after a coat of gesso), and I couldn't get the lid shut because the paint created too much thickness at the lip. :( Please let us know if that's a problem with the spray paint!!

I too would like to know any ideas on how to cover-up a tin. What kind of paint? Any help?

thanks everyone for the ideas and comments. I think I'm going to give the pumice stone/sandpaper idea a try. I'll let you know how it works

In order for new paint to stick to the metal, you will need to sand it to provide "tooth." To completely remove the paint will require either a heck of a lot of elbow grease, a grinder/sander or paint stripper. If you just want to change the color of the base color, a light sanding should do the trick.

Paint should be applied at the temperature suggested on the can. If it bubbles, it could be due to temp or the base coat itself. If the paint on the can is a latex or waterbased paint, spraying an oil based paint overtop will likely bubble or peel right off.

You can apply latex/acrylics and alkyds over oil but not the reverse.

Rainsong