Metal Beach Sign ($3 thrift store makeover!)

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This $3 thrift store wall decor got an entirely new look with paint and a free printable! This fun metal beach sign is budget-friendly decor at its best!

Yes, yes, yes, I know it’s fall. But hey, this really isn’t about a sign that says “beach”.
It’s about finding something that’s been “tossed” at the thrift store and making it over to fit your own home style.
Or maybe even as a gift.
That could be “beach” or anything else that you might like. Those options are endless.
Seeing something not for what it currently is but what you might be able to turn it into is the key here.

The idea is simply budget-friendly decor (and having fun while you create/change/makeover it!)

Metal Beach Sign Makeover

Here’s how my little $3 metal sign began…

Not bad at all if you are into that style of decor.
I mean, even better, because all you have to do is come home and hang it! Win!

But, this one just wasn’t my thing.
I did like the cool design of it and the fact that it was metal though. (and, of course, the $3 price tag! ;) )

I began the makeover by removing the paper print in the middle.
It was glued on…very well. haha

And was a bear to remove!! Ugh.
I considered leaving it and just painting over but the edges of the paper were all loose and lifted.

So I had to keep at it now.

It took a while so I can’t say this makeover was a quick and simple one! lol

With some perseverance (and good ole elbow grease) I did manage to get it all off.

Yippee!
A clean slate. Yes, I love a clean slate.

I took it outside and sprayed the whole thing white.

Then I brought it in and painted the space where the paper had been, Coastal Blue—love this color! (let it dry well after this)

Here’s all the items I used for this makeover.

 

Then I cut out one of my favorite beach graphics using my Silhouette machine.

It’s hard to tell, but that piece of vinyl has been cut.
I removed all the lettering to create a “stencil”.

Then I attached the transfer paper to apply the vinyl cutout to the metal beach sign. (be sure to use a removable vinyl when doing this…or even simple contact paper from the Dollar Store works too)

I used a small sponge roller to apply the white paint.

This is so simple. I love how easy it is to use a roller instead of a brush for this.

Gently pull off the vinyl and you have your pretty beach print.

I still have the small pieces inside the letters to pull off. (the vinyl inside the loops, etc)

I used this tool to remove them all. (it comes with the Silhouette Cameo bundle I linked above in the “materials list”)

Want to see a more detailed explanation of how to use the transfer tape to attach the vinyl to the board? See this post, here.

If you don’t own a Silhouette and don’t have plans to purchase one, you can also use any of the many transfer methods I have shown in this post, >>> here.

I added the flat finish topcoat to the blue area of the metal sign because I didn’t want it to be shiny.

And I lightly sanded the raised areas on the white part of the sign to add a distressed look.

But if you noticed in the “before” photo, there was a distinctly non-beachy looking adornment on this sign.

Yep, this guy.

Remember, this is metal, so I had a little bit of a time getting him off.
But with the help of my sweet hubby, we got it off. (by beating the heck out of it…it was welded on, haha)

I thought a seashell in place of it would be perfect. (I forgot to take a front photo showing the metal piece that was left once I removed that medallion)

I turned it upside down and laid the shell in place and marked with a pencil where I needed to add the E6000 glue.

Then I added glue and set the beach sign on top to dry.

You can sort of see the threaded metal piece there jutting out so I had to cover it with something.

Pretty cute, I think.

The seashell certainly goes along with the beach theme.

Want the beach definition printable?

If you are already a subscriber, click here to go straight to the printables resource library.
(if you don’t remember your password, check your latest email newsletter from me – scroll all the way to the bottom to find it)

Here are a couple more projects I’ve used this fun beach graphic on…

• Robin’s Egg Blue Beach Box
• Beach Pillow (Creative Ways To Use Free Printables)

I’m not sure where I’ll use this one or if I’ll even keep it. (I’m running out of space here! ;) )

But it sure does look cute up here on my DIY wall coat rack.

I might use it in our new beach house, so I think I’ll hold onto this one for a bit and see!

I hope you were inspired by this $3 thrift store metal beach sign makeover. Go visit your local thrift store and see what they have for you today.
Never know what you might find. And you never know what you might find that will strike inspiration inside of you. :)

They are getting holiday things out so now is a good time to create something fun for your holiday home.
I picked up a few things from the Dollar Store today to create a pretty little something for Christmas.
Stay tuned for that. (I’ll be sharing it next month….but get on over to yours today because they have some great stuff out already!)

PIN it to save it!

This one got a complete transformation! Be sure to check back to see it!

Update!! See it now, here!

Have a wonderful fall weekend, my beautiful friends!

xoxo