Paint Cans into Beautiful Decorative Candles Easily

Painting Candles in Cans for Beautiful Decor

Candles make lovely gifts and add warmth and ambiance to any space. But store-bought candles can be expensive. Why not make your own beautiful painted candles in cans? With some acrylic paint, clean cans, wax, and wicks, you can create gorgeous decorative candles for a fraction of the store price. Read on to learn how!

Gather Your Candle-Making Supplies

First, collect the supplies you’ll need:

• Clean food cans (soup, vegetable, etc)
• Acrylic craft paint in your desired colors
• Wax beads or blocks
• Pre-tabbed or homemade candle wicks
• Pencil, ruler
• Foil

Make sure to clean and dry the cans thoroughly before starting your candle project. The size and shape of the can will determine how much wax and what size wick you need, so have those supplies on hand before painting.

Design and Paint Your Candle Cans

Now for the fun part! Plan out your candle paint design. Do you want to paint the whole outside of the can in your signature color or just the bottom? Or maybe florals or geometric patterns? Grab your acrylic craft paints and let your creativity shine.

If covering the outside, start by base coating the entire can and let dry. Then use painters tape and stencils if desired for patterns or designs. Layer colors as desired for a rich, decorative look.

For single color block candles, paint the bottom third or fourth of the cans in your signature hue. Try complementing metallics like copper and gold for a glamorous vibe. Or contrasting matte shades like navy and blush pink for retro charm. The options are endless!

Preparing the Candle Cans

Once the paint is completely dry, you’re ready to add wax. First cut your wick to size. The wick should be slightly taller than the height of the can, so measure accordingly. Use a pencil to mark the wick placement in the center of the can bottom.

Anchor the tabbed end of the candle wick to the bottom center with a drop of hot glue if needed. The wick must stand straight. Then place a piece of foil over the wick to protect it when pouring wax.

Filling with Wax

Prepare the wax by following the package instructions. Carefully pour the melted wax into each painted can, leaving 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch of headspace at the top. Make sure to pour slowly and not disturb the centered wick.

Let the candle wax cool and harden completely undisturbed. This makes take several hours. Then simply peel off the foil and trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch. Now you have a beautiful homemade painted candle in a can, ready to gift or display!

Ideas for Painting and Customizing Candles

Painting cans to hold candles opens a whole world of possibilities! Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:

Holiday Candles

Make red, white and blue layered candles for Fourth of July or frosty blue and glittery white candles for Christmas. Paint candy corn stripes or ghosts for Halloween. You can even paint candle holders instead of the cans for easy holiday décor.

Themed Candles

Choose colors to match an event or décor theme like blush pink and gold for a romantic night in or bright primary colors for a kids’ room. Paint candles to match wedding colors or team pride themes as well. The options are endless!

Art Candle Collections

Why not collect eclectic printed cans and fill them with colorful wax creations? Lining a bookshelf with painted candle cans makes an eye-catching artistic display. Mix and match shapes, colors and patterns for custom flair.

Scented Candles

Add a drop or two of essential oils to the melted wax before pouring for light fragrance. Popular scents include lavender, vanilla, pine forest and clean cotton. Just don’t over-scent or the smell may be too strong when burning.

Tips for Best Results

Follow these tips for painting perfect candles every time:

• Thoroughly clean and dry cans before painting
• Use acrylic craft paint for best adhesion
• Let paint dry fully before pouring wax
• Cut wick height to just above the can height
• Glue or secure wicks upright in the center
• Work in a dust-free area
• Pour wax slowly to prevent wick disturbance
• Cool candles completely before moving or burning
• Trim wick ends to 1⁄4 inch before lighting

Safety First!

Take proper safety precautions as well when making painted candles in cans:

• Work in a well-ventilated area away from open flames
• Use a thermometer when melting wax to prevent overheating
• Pour melted wax carefully to prevent spills or burns
• Have a fire extinguisher nearby just in case
• Supervise burning candles at all times
• Extinguish candles before they burn down completely

Now that you’re inspired to make decorative candles, unleash your creativity! Paint cans in your favorite colors, patterns and designs, personalize with scents and display them proudly. Making candles is satisfying and your handmade creations also make wonderful gifts. So grab some paint and cans and have fun making cute candles to enjoy!

FAQs

What kind of paint should I use to paint the candle cans?

Acrylic craft paint works best for painting glass and metal surfaces like candle cans. Acrylics bond well and resist heat better than other paints.

How do I get rid of candle wax smell while burning?

Add baking soda to the melted wax before pouring to help neutralize odors. You can also add essential oils for light fragrance instead of scenting with fragrance oils.

Should I attach the wick to the bottom of the candle can?

Yes, secure the wick ends with hot glue to the center of the bottom before pouring wax to keep the wick upright and centered while the candle burns.

What is the best wax to use for container candles?

Use pillar wax or soy wax flakes or blocks to fill container candles like painted cans. These waxes melt at lower temperatures than paraffin making them safer to work with.

How close should I keep the wick trimmed as the candle burns?

Trim the charred wick end to 1⁄4 inch before each lighting for cleanest burning. Trim as needed to prevent excess smoking as the candle burns down.