Rusty Sign from Your Spice Cabinet

Want the vintage look without the antique price tag? Try out my rusty sign project! It uses cinnamon for a realistic faux rust that would fool anyone. 

This is one project y’all are going to love. Did you know that you can paint your own rusty sign from items you have in your spice cabinet?

It is such an easy technique and one that anyone can master. Plus, it uses materials that you likely already have in your home. Hint: cinnamon is the star ingredient. 

So, decide what vintage-looking sign you want and grab your supplies today!

How to Make a Rusty Sign from Your Spice Cabinet

You can make a super-realistic faux rusty sign using the power of your spice cabinet – cinnamon, to be exact!

Supplies Needed

Here’s everything that you’ll need:

• Black craft paint
• Matte spray sealer
• Canvas
• Paintbrush
• Cinnamon (the secret ingredient!!)
• Graphic of your choice
• Black transfer paper

How to Make a Sign Look Rusty: Instructions

Making this faux rusty sign is simple and just a tad bit messy. Feel free to head outdoors and get started.

Step 1: Print Your Graphics

You can put whatever you would like onto your rusty sign. I chose the words “RESTROOM” and a pointing hand from The Graphics Fairy. Print your words and graphics onto copy paper.

Step 2: Trace the Design

We are going to be painting this rusty metal sign onto canvas. Yep, that finished sign you see is actually painted onto a canvas. Just lay out your sheets of paper onto the canvas until you are happy with the placement.

Put the graphite transfer paper under your images and use a pencil to trace the lines. Now you are ready to paint!

Step 3: Apply Paint

Use some black craft paint to paint inside the lines.

For the hand, I used my original image as a guide and tried to mimic it in the painting.

Allow the black paint to dry completely before continuing. 

Step 4: Rust and Seal

Now that the painting part is done, it is time for that secret weapon….cinnamon! You will also need the matte spray sealer for this step. 

Note: I completed my “rusting” steps outside. You may make a mess if you do this inside.

Spray sections of your project with the sealer then immediately (while it is still wet) put cinnamon on your project. Wait a few seconds (or more) and remove the excess.

You can play around with how long you leave the cinnamon on the project, etc for different effects.

I layered on the sealer and cinnamon in different areas of my project.

Don’t forget the middle as well as those edges! Just keep adding until you love your new rusty sign.

Step 5: Dry and Hang

Allow the entire thing to dry and hang in any room of your home. Your rusty sign will amaze any visitors! Don’t worry…your secret’s safe with me!

Have the faux-rust-itch now? Try this technique with my Beach Sign Knock-Off.

FAQs

Want to know more about how to make a sign look rusty? I’m here to help! If you have any more questions, please leave them for me in the comments down below. 

How can I add more texture and depth to my faux rust sign?

Use a sponge to apply extra cinnamon to your design, leaving it on a bit longer for extra contrast. 

You could also add more depth with a few artfully placed paint strokes, mixing orange, black, and red acrylic paint to achieve your perfect rust shade. 

What surfaces can I use for this rusty sign project?

This project can be made on canvas, wood, cardstock, and more – just remember to buy the proper sealant to preserve your masterpiece!

How do you make a faux rusty sign look realistic? 

For an ultra-realistic faux rust, here are a few tips:

• Look at real rust patterns for inspiration.
• Use a sponge to stifle or dab on color.
• Add streaks of rust with acrylic paint. 
• Experiment with the time you leave the cinnamon on your canvas. 
• For a fun texture, mix sand into acrylic paint and brush the edges of your sign. 

More Craft Ideas

Love the vintage look? Try more of my antique-inspired crafts:

• Free Printable Vintage Labels for Jars
• Painting Glass Jars to Look Vintage
• Paper Mache Vintage Farmhouse Pumpkins
• Reproduction Vintage Maps as Art
• Vintage Quilt Flower Wreath with Burlap

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Faux Rusty Sign Using Cinnamon

Want the vintage look without the antique price tag? Try out my rusty sign project! It uses cinnamon for a realistic faux rust that would fool anyone. 

Print Project Pin Project Rate Project

Equipment

• 1 Paintbrush

Supplies

• 1 Black craft paint
• 1 Matte spray sealer
• 1 Canvas
• 1 Bottle Cinnamon
• 1 Graphic of your choice
• 1 Sheet Black transfer paper

Instructions

• Choose your graphics and print them onto copy paper.
• Layer your canvas with graphite transfer paper, then your images. Once you're happy with the placement, use a pencil to trace the lines.
• Use black paint to paint inside the lines. Wait for paint to dry completely before continuing.
• Spray sections of your project with the sealer then immediately (while it is still wet) put cinnamon on your project. Wait a few seconds, then remove the excess.
• Keep adding cinnamon, playing around with how long you leave the cinnamon on the project, etc for different effects.
• Allow the entire project to dry and hang in any room of your home.

Notes

• Use a sponge to apply extra cinnamon to your design, leaving it on a bit longer for extra contrast. 
• This project can be made on canvas, wood, cardstock, and more – just remember to buy the proper sealant to preserve your masterpiece!

Tried this project?tag us to show off your work!