Buckets don’t have to utilitarian only. You can make them beautiful and functional with just a little bit of help from some Zinc Antiquing Solution and a little bit of gold leaf. In this easy DIY zinc bucket project, you’ll have an aged, shining bucket you’ll be proud to use as a planter, storage, or an accent piece throughout your home or garden.

Materials Needed

• Clean Slate
• Zinc Antiquing Solution
• Gilding Size
• Gold leaf
• Natural bristle brush
• A metal bucket
• Disposable latex gloves
• Glass bowl or cup
• Lint-free rags
• Artist’s brush
• Tissue paper

How to Transform an Ordinary Bucket in 2 Hours

1. Using a lint-free rag and Clean Slate, wipe down the entire surface of your bucket.

2. Be sure to put on a pair of disposable gloves to protect your hands and nails!

3. Pour Zinc Antiquing Solution into a glass bowl or cup. You’ll want to measure out enough solution to easily soak one of your lint-free rags.

4. Gather a clean lint-free rag in a ball and dip it into your solution. Soak until it is saturated, and gently squeeze out the dripping excess from the rag.

5. Saturate your metal surface with the soaked rag in a blotting motion, taking care to cover the entire surface of your bucket.

6. Once the entire surface of your bucket has been evenly saturated, go over it a second time, using circular motions instead. You’ll want to rub the antique solution into the metal firmly. As the solution begins to dry, you’ll start to see the metal change to a lighter color.

Pro tip: If you prefer a darker patina, simply apply more solution.

7.  Allow 45 minutes for the solution to completely dry.

8. With a clean artist’s brush, brush on Gilding Size to the raised areas on your bucket, where your gold leaf will be applied.

10. Using a sheet of tissue paper between your hand and a sheet of gold leaf, firmly press the gold leaf onto the Gilding Size. Be sure to cover the area completely.

11. Firmly swipe across the gold leaf area with your palm 3 times, then peel off the tissue paper.

12. Dust off any leftover gold pieces with a clean natural bristle brush.

13. Burnish with a dry lint-free rag.

Now you have a beautiful antique bucket that will make your porch, patio, or garden pop! Showing off your DIY zinc bucket on social media? Don’t forget to tag Amy Howard At Home so that we can see it on Facebook. Share your project on Instagram with #amyhowardathome and tag @amyhowardhome on Instagram for a chance to be featured.