My project was to transform Dollar Tree trash cans into high-end wire garden baskets that I've been longing to have for my outdoor entertaining. I love the look of these baskets, whether they hold a potted plant, fresh flowers, moss balls, or other decor. I had never attempted making one before, but the Custom Spray 5-in-1 challenge was my inspiration!

I had seen people make a snowman's hat or a giant coffee cup using these trash cans on Pinterest and it seemed to me that making a garden basket would be possible. I lucked out with my request for grey spray paint (free!), so that I was ready to go!

It would be a true test of the paint's coverage abilities since my local Dollar Tree only had white trash cans and black small wire baskets for sale. The paint would need to make them identical in color. Additionally, I decided to create "wire" loops on one basket using tomato cage green coated wire (also from Dollar Tree). Just added one more color to conceal... The bending of the trash cans/baskets into urn and vase-like shapes was surprisingly easy. Just took my bare hands to bend the wire. I also used some zip ties to connect a trash can to an upside-down small wire basket acting as the base--that was probably the most difficult part of the process. All my raw materials cost around $7 for creating three wire garden baskets. I was soon ready to paint.

I jerry-rigged an old CD stand, a broomstick handle, and then suspended my baskets from fishing line. I started with setting 5, which is the horizontal fan, as I wanted to paint the bottoms, first. This is just what I typically do, paint the underside of an item. Usually, I would spray the back of an item, let it dry, and then spray the front. There was big downtime as I needed the item to be completely dry before I could flip it (and not damage the paint job). I was super excited to see setting 5 as I hoped that I'd be able to paint both the bottom and the top without waiting.

And, yes, that is exactly what this new Custom Spray 5-in-1 allows! If you watch my video, I'm joyous to see it happen. I sprayed 5, it was perfect. The paint flawlessly covered the bottoms of the three baskets. No dripping, no smears, and then, I was able to immediately switch to 4, vertical fan, to paint the top and then the sides of the baskets. No wait time. Literally, I finished my paint project in minutes. Contrast this to the recent refreshing of my deck chairs (I used the standard RUST-OLEUM spray paint). I had to paint the back sides of the chairs, let them dry overnight, flip them and then paint the front sides. Not to mention any spots that I missed, which meant repeating the entire process. So much time wasted. This is the future of spray paint!

Huge time saver. I never could successfully spray horizontal fan with old-school spray paint. I always had to flip items upside down and right side up to arrive at a good paint job. Not to mention the power! The spray was even and strong, I wasn't struggling to press my finger, just right, to obtain a consistent stream of paint. I also tried setting 3, low output, just to see how it worked, but I'm the high output type of girl. I want to finish my projects fast.

Side note, even though it was windy (you can hear the wind during my video), there was no back spray. That output goes exactly where you aim it. No paint on my clothes, my hair, or my fingers, which never happens!

I will buy this custom spray from now on. Totally worth the cost, just a couple bucks more, for the speed, convenience, and super professional paint job results. The sad thing is that I looked at the new spray product and bought the old RUST-OLEUM spray paint for my deck chairs. I thought it was the same, only more expensive, but the output choices are a game-changer. Wish I knew then, what I know, now. Looking forward to further experimentation!

The finished wire garden baskets ended up as my centerpiece for our Memorial Day gathering. It's an important holiday in my family. We place flags on the graves of our family's departed veterans and have a great BBQ. I used branches from my mock orange bush (the white blooms smell like pez candy--love them), a couple flags, and one banner to round out the display. After the holiday, the wire garden baskets will flank my front door and hold annual flower pots. I expect years of enjoyment. Thank you, RUST-OLEUM, for the opportunity to try your new paint product!

From Trash (Can) to Treasure