Yes, rust colored paint is readily available from most major paint manufacturers. Rust paint allows you to achieve a distressed, weathered look on various surfaces. It’s popular for DIY furniture makeovers, home decor projects, and adding character to mundane items. Rust colored paint comes in different shades like burnt orange, brownish red, and deep crimson. It can create an antique, vintage, or farmhouse style when applied to wood, metal, wicker, and more. There are many options whether you want a gloss, satin, matte or chalk style finish.
Popular Uses for Rust Colored Paint
Rust paint offers a variety of uses:
- Painting thrift store finds or flea market treasures like chairs, tables, picture frames, vases, buckets, crates, and more
- Distressing new items like wood signs, trays, plant stands to give them a timeworn look
- Adding character to mason jars, tin cans, and other containers for rustic home decor
- Transforming the look of metal items like lanterns, bells, gears by making them appear weathered
- Giving an antiqued touch to wicker baskets, picnic hampers, baby cradles, and other woven items
- Creating a vintage look on wood surfaces – furniture, chests, boxes, accent walls, cabinetry
Rust colored paint allows DIY-ers to refurbish old items or add an aged patina to new pieces. It’s commonly used to upholster furniture, update kitchen cabinets, or give anything from an ordinary stool to a metal bucket a trendy shabby chic style. The color evokes feelings of nostalgia and rustic charm.
Where to Buy Rust Paint
Rust colored paint is available at any hardware store, home improvement center, craft store or online:
- Hardware stores – Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, True Value
- Craft stores – Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joann
- Online – Amazon, Walmart, Target
- Paint brands – Rust-Oleum, Krylon, Americana Decor, FolkArt, Valspar
You can buy rust paint in convenient spray cans for quick DIY projects. But for furniture or walls, liquid paints offer more options for the finish and sheen you want.
Popular paint brands like Rust-Oleum, Krylon, Valspar, Ralph Lauren, Home Depot’s Behr provide numerous rust and red oxide shades to get the antique look you desire.
Types of Rust Colored Paint
Rust paint comes in different product types and finishes. Consider what you’re painting and the look you want to achieve.
Spray Paint
Enamel and matte spray paint provides the quickest and easiest application for small projects and decor items. Just clean the surface, use painter’s tape if needed, and spray. Quick color transformations in minutes! Rustoleum Painter’s Touch spray paint offers a nice selection of rust tones from Tiger Eye to Cinnamon.
Chalk Paint
Chalk paint delivers a trendy matte look and distressed finish on furniture and home decor. Brands like Annie Sloan and FolkArt have deep rustic red chalk paints. The thin paint adheres well to surfaces without sanding or priming. A top coat of wax protects the finish.
Acrylic Craft Paint
For crafters, acrylic craft paint from FolkArt, Apple Barrel and Americana Decor provide vivid rust shades at budget prices. These are ideal for painting wood signs, candleholders, vases, jars, and other decor objects. The acrylic formula sticks to most surfaces.
Enamel Paint
Oil-based enamel paints give metal surfaces like toolboxes and machinery a weathered rust look. Rust-Oleum and Krylon both offer realistic-looking rust enamel colors for a durable, long-lasting finish.
Exterior House Paint
High quality exterior latex or oil paint transforms patio furniture, shutters, front doors and other outdoor house features. Brands like Behr, Valspar, Sherman Williams provide rich rusty reds in satin, semi-gloss or gloss sheens.
So check the project and the desired finish to select the right rust colored paint product.
How to Distress Paint for a Rustic Look
Achieving a timeworn, rustic look often requires distressing the paint finish. Here are some techniques to try:
Sand it – Once the paint has dried, use coarse 150 grit sandpaper to rough up edges and surfaces. Sand lightly to avoid removing paint completely.
Chip it – Use a flat head screwdriver to chip paint along the corners, crevices and raised edges. Apply pressure and drag the screwdriver along the areas you want to distress.
Scratch it – After sanding, take a wire brush, stiff scrub brush or metal scraper and scratch lines randomly across the paint. Apply varying pressure for light and heavy scratches.
Sponge it – Use a natural sea sponge to dab and blot paint once it’s partially dry. The sponging removes some color for a worn, mottled effect.
Distress markers – For controlled paint removal, use chalky pigment distress markers from Americana Decor. Simply rub and blend on paint to achieve a softer, aged look.
Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for each painted piece. Layering and combining methods creates an authentic, timeworn rust finish.
Rust Paint Color Shades
Rust paint includes shades from rich coppery browns to maroon reds. Here are some popular rust tones for furniture, crafts, home decor and more:
| Paint Brand | Rust Paint Colors |
|---|---|
| Rust-Oleum | Rusty Metal, Rustic Red, Rust |
| Krylon | Rustic Russet, Rusty Metal, Chili Pepper |
| Valspar | Cinnamon, Rusty Nail, Sedona Sunset |
| Sherwin-Williams | Roycroft Rust, Kendall Charcoal |
| Home Depot Behr | Spiced Cider, Cinnamon, Rusted Oak |
| Benjamin Moore | Iron Mountain, Red Barn |
| Annie Sloan | Antique Rose, Rustic Red |
With so many options from burnt sienna and firebrick reds to deep terracotta shades, you can find the perfect rusty color for your next project.
Protecting and Sealing Rust Paint Finishes
Raw rust paint finishes should be sealed for protection and to lock in the distressed appearance.
Waxes – Wax finishes like dark paste wax or clear wax seal chalk paint and provide an attractive luster.
Polyurethane – Clear polyurethanes are ideal for sealing acrylic, enamel and latex paints. Water-based is good for indoor items while oil-based works well outdoors.
lacquer – For a durable finish on metal, a clear matte lacquer spray will protect the rust painted surface from damage.
Apply 2-3 thin coats of sealing products like Minwax Paste Wax or Polyurethane to seal, protecting the finish while allowing the rust color to show through beautifully.
Maintenance for Rust Painted Items
A few simple maintenance practices will help keep your rust painted creations looking their best:
– Dust regularly with a clean lint-free cloth.
– Spot clean oil, grease or dirt with mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
– Place felt pads under any items to avoid scratches.
– Avoid placing in direct sunlight to prevent fading.
– Reapply protective sealer annually or as needed if finish becomes worn.
– Touch up paint chips and distressed areas as desired.
With proper care, rust paint can retain its vintage charm for many years. Refreshing the finish restores its timeworn beauty when needed.
Conclusion
Rust colored paint offers endless possibilities to refinish worn items or give new pieces a trendy weathered look. Spray paint, chalk paint, acrylic and enamel provide rusty red tones from burnt orange to deep wine. Distressing techniques like sanding, chipping and sponging create authentic vintage effects. Sealers like wax and polyurethane protect the finish while allowing the rust hues to show through. With so many types and shades of rust paint available, DIY-ers can easily upcycle flea market finds or transform plain wood and metal items into chic rustic decor. The color adds cozy character to furniture, signs, containers, cabinets, accents and more, evoking feelings of nostalgia. Rust painted pieces become treasured focal points full of artistry, personality and antique flair.
