This DIY galvanized barrel table will bring beauty and function to your farmhouse. And, with a pre-made table top it is ready to use in just a day!
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I LOVE old galvanized metal! No, I actually LOVE, LOVE, LOVE old utilitarian galvanized farm metals!! Smile. They speak of hard work and days gone by. And they bring such character and age into a farmhouse setting.
This old can caught my eye at the antique store about a year ago. I knew immediately that I wanted to make a galvanized barrel table with it, but just got stuck with the idea of how to make a top.
DIY galvanized barrel table material options
A galvanized barrel with this much great character could look great with many kinds of table tops. I considered glass, metal, old stained or painted wood slats and even some other really creative options.
My gut said it should be old distressed wood, but I just got stuck with getting it done. Old wood meant a search around the farm for some old scrap wood, hauling it home, taking it apart, cleaning it, cutting it to fit together, etc.
But life on a busy farm, raising a tribe of kids and other diy projects just got in the way and I never went to find the wood. Therefore, this beautiful old can has languished in the corner unused. Blah!
Finding the perfect table top
Then last week I was researching authentic pine ship-lap online (for our entry hall renovation… more on this coming soon). While browsing I stumbled on some wood table top rounds!
Why I didn’t think of this simple option sooner? This was such an obvious answer to get this great galvanized barrel out of the corner and into use. I sometimes let my ideal visions get in the way of progress, and this was such a time.
The table top I used is made of spruce and had a nice grain. I chose a 24″ round because my galvanized can is 16″ and I wanted some overhang. It also came in smaller and larger sizes.
My farmer picked it up at the lumber store when he picked up the ship-lap. I was so excited to get going on it that I forgot to take a before picture of the unfinished wood.
Supplies and tips for the diy galvanized barrel table
- Minwax gel stain in Chestnut. I like to use gel stains because they are less messy than regular stain. If you want a chippy paint look you can paint over the gel stain with a milk paint and achieve natural chipping.
- Round wood table top. I picked mine up at Lowe’s Home Improvement in 24″ size for under $18.
- For quick clean-up I buy these paint brushes bulk for oil based projects and then just discard when finished. They are narrow enough to fit in small cans of stain but not too narrow for staining or painting.
- To avoid getting oil based products on your hands that require caustic cleaners to remove I use light weight disposable plastic gloves.
- A good top coat. I used my SC Johnson wood paste wax that I’ve had for years. It is quick to use and has a low odor so it can be used in the house. This project was done right in my kitchen.
Steps to Prepping and finishing the table top
The table top came in a shrink wrap plastic cover without much real protection, but it appeared to be in good shape. The wood was very blonde and smooth, and was pretty much ready to use.
- Lightly sand any small dings with fine grit sand paper
- Use a tack clothe or dry rag to wipe off any sanding dust.
- Use a 1 1/2″ disposable bristle brush to apply the gel stain. (I buy these in bulk for oil based projects and then just discard when finished. They are narrow enough to fit in small cans but not too narrow for staining or painting.)
- After 3 or 4 minutes wipe the stain off with a smooth cloth to desired color with long even strokes from edge to edge. (I prefer to use old flour sack towels torn into 12″ squares.)
- Be very careful when wiping away gel stain. It is easy to remove more than you want. If that happens, just re-stain that area again and wipe again.
- Leave top to dry, flip and repeat process on opposite side. (I went ahead and stained both sides just so I could have two choices when deciding which side to face up)
- When stain is dry, apply a sealing and protecting top coat.
Attaching the table top
My table top is actually attached to the barrel lid. Because the lid already had holes in the edge near the rim I could screw through without further damaging the galvanized barrel.
I simply flipped the table top upside down, centered the lid on it top side down and screwed through the holes into the wood.
Once the attached galvanized lid is placed back on the can it holds the table top snuggly in place so it can’t slip off.
Overall, I really like how it turned out. And the rich brown color really shows the pretty grain. And the smooth finished top sets off the rustic galvanized barrel perfectly.Â
Alternative diy galvanized barrel table ideas to try
Although I took the easy road with this pre-made round, you certainly could try other ways to make a table top. Here are a few I entertained in the last year.
- Top with a large square wood tray
- Use a small section of an old wood fence or gate
- Join slats from old boards, pallets or barn wood and cut into a round to fit. This idea would be fun to first stain, then paint over and distress. All those slats would give great texture.
- Use a thick round of glass from cut at your local glass shop
- Consider using it without a top. If the top of the barrel is level and strong enough you may not even need to add a table top.
Have you created a similar table?
If you enjoyed this and it inspires you to get going on a similar project, then drop me a line or a picture in the comments. Thanks for joining me at the farm.