How To Build Faux Galvanized Planters

Because I get so many questions about my Christmas Tree Container, I decided to see if I could build something similar. The container is a European Antique and very hard to find.

This is how to build faux galvanized planters that are similar to the Antique European Container that is very hard to find. These are smaller versions that can be used as planters on your porch.

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Materials for Galvanized Planters

You can get two complete planters from one piece of 4 x 8 plywood.

• 1 – 4′ by 8′ sheet of heavy weight plywood
• finishing nails
• wood glue
• narrow finishing trim
• metal galvanized strap 1 inch wide

Begin by drawing your design on the plywood.

I wanted the planters to be 30″ tall, 14 inches wide at the top and 9 inches wide at the bottom.

If you draw the design alternating the wide and short width across the board, you can easily get two full planters from one sheet of plywood.

Cut Plywood

First, using a table saw, cut 18 inches off the unmarked side of the plywood. Some home supply stores will make this cut for you within the store.

Next, using a circular saw, cut the planter sections along the drawn pattern.

You will have 8 identical pieces of plywood once all pieces are cut.

Construct the Galvanized Planters

Begin by adding a bead of wood glue along one edge of the planter plywood. Holding the two corners together, use the finishing nails to attach the edges.

Continue to add the sides together in the same manner as above, until you have a box that is larger at the top than at the bottom.

For this project, I choose to allow the front and back sides to overlap the two side pieces. Therefore, the front and back side of the planter is slightly more narrow than the side pieces once assembled.

Add Top Trim

Next, using a miter box or miter saw, cut the wood trim pieces to be added to the top of the galvanized planters.

Using wood glue and small finishing nails, apply the trim pieces along the top edge of the planters.

Add Metal Straps to Galanized Planters

Because I wanted to copy the large galvanized container, I added a metal strap around the side of the planters.

Determine where you want to add the strap and bend the strap around each corner.

Use finishing nails to attach strap to the planters.

The final step is to attach a bottom to the planters. Cut a piece of the plywood the exact size of the bottom. Use wood glue and attach with finishing nails as you did when attaching the side pieces.

Now you are ready to paint your faux galvanized planters.

Galvanized Planters Faux Finish

Now it’s time to make these wooden planters look like rusty, crusty galvanized containers.

I used a combination of the all these paints to achieve the look I wanted.

• Rust-0leum Forged Hammered Antique Pewter
• Rust-0eum Hammered Brown
• Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – Old White
• Folk Art Craft Paint in Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna and Raw Sienna

Begin by spray painting the entire planter with the Antique Pewter. I used two coats.

Next, use the brown spray paint to darken the metals band and around the edges of the planter.

Then add old white chalk paint randomly around the planters to make the galvanized areas look old.

Finally, add the rust using a combination of the 3 craft paints.

This process should be random and not the same all over the planters.

You can see a video here as I painted the planters.

These planters are designed for use under a protective cover such as a porch or indoors. You can use a protective sealer in a mat finish if you choose.

Once finished you are ready to add to your decor.

These will soon be filled with Christmas decorations and I’ll be sharing those photo’s soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I can’t wait to share my next adventure with you!

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