I thrifted this grey plastic lantern at a garage sale this summer. I didn’t care for the color but I loved the design of it! I I snagged it for $1 because I thought it would be perfect for my primitive decor AFTER a makeover.
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Preparing the Lantern for the Makeover:
Before getting started, I took the lantern apart by removing the screws on the bottom and I cleaned it thoroughly. I also wiped everything down with some rubbing alcohol to help the paint to adhere.
I removed the glass. The plastic part of the candle slid right off the base.
I used some Frog tape to tape off the electrical parts on the lantern base.
Painting the Lantern:
I used Krylon Fushion black matte spray paint to paint the lantern, using several light coats and allowing to dry in between each coat.
I also wanted to add a bit of a grungy look to the candle.
I mixed some light mocha Americana DecorArt craft paint with some instant coffee granules and painted that onto the candle, keeping the light bulb unpainted.
While the paint was still wet, I sprinkled with more instant coffee granules and some cinnamon.
After the paint on the candle was dry, I added a coat of matte finish Mod Podge. Don’t skip this step. This will blend the coffee and cinnamon together to create a great grungy look!
After everything was completely dry, I reassembled the primitive lantern. I left the glass out because I think it looks more antique without it.