Check out Mike and Judy's photo-illustrated guide to rain barrel painting. They're painting their barrels to match their house!
In fact, so many of our customers ask us why the barrels are blue, we thought we'd share Judy and Mike's story along with some tips & tricks on how to paint barrels!
RAIN BARREL PAINTING: A How-To Guide
Mike & Judy show us the ropes
Barrels purchased from our site are blue because that's industry standard for food-grade. When you source barrels through BlueBarrel, they'll always be blue to ensure they're safe and compatible.*
But if blue's not for you, you can paint them!
STEP 1: PRIME THE SURFACE
Mike gives his barrels a once-over with sand paper to help the paint stick better. It's best to paint the barrels before you install them so that you can get a good even coat on them.
STEP 2: SELECT THE PAINT
Judy shows us the paint. Check your local hardware store for spray paints that are made for outdoor use and bond to plastic. It can take over two cans of paint for each barrel to get a nice, even finish.
STEP 3: PROTECT YOUR STUFF!
Speaking of plastic, notice she's protected her fence and plants. She wants white barrels, but she doesn't need a white garden!
STEP 4: APPLY THE PAINT
Follow the directions on the paint can for a nice even coat. You may need two coats for a nice finish. And remember, you don't need to paint the bottom!
STEP 5: INSTALL YOUR SYSTEM!
Follow the instructions in your DIY RainKit to complete your BlueBarrel System (of any color!).
* If you start with white barrels, you HAVE to paint them. White, light, or transparent barrels will grow algae faster than you can say "hey, why are my white barrels green?!". Blue barrels exclude sunlight, so they won't grow algae. They don't need to be painted, but they certainly can be!
More Painted Systems
Kurt started with white barrels and painted them to match the house (and for UV resistance). What a nice look!
Melissa's barrels started blue, but now they're white. A very nice paint job to match the trim on the house.
Terra cotta is a nice accent at Jim's place, and a perfect offset to the greenery surrounding. The ell-shaped formation goes to show how flexible a BlueBarrel System™ can be!
Erik's barrels, painted to match the house and following the subtle contour of the wall, nestle nicely under the overhang for an inviting entry.
Gayle painted not only her barrels, but also the cinderblock footings for an inviting display at the entry to her home.
ShuShila did an amazing job with a decorative approach, crediting the style of Studio Ghibli & Natsume Yuujinchou. Follow the links below for more info on decorative painting!
