DIY Metal Makeover from Guest My Crafty Home Life

Dec 16

Happy Friday! I'm so excited to have my friend Linda, from My Crafty Home Life, as my guest today. I'm amazed by her knowledge and DIY skills and have posted about her before here and here. Please be sure to visit her great blog and check out all of her incredible DIYs!

Hello, I’m Linda from the blog My Crafty Home Life. I am so excited to be Guest Posting on The Pink Pagoda! I love all things Chinoiserie! In fact, I try to put a touch of it in each of room…OK, maybe more than a touch. This is my entry-hall. I am planning on making it all white this winter. That way, the art and objects will stand out. Today, I would like to show you how to give an old dark iron container an updated look.

I found this iron Asian piece at a rummage sale a few years ago. I love the little men, but I hate the gold sponge painting. It has been sitting in my hall closet for far too long. After it gets a new look, I think I will keep it near the painted Tibetan doors.

For this, I decided to use Rub-n-Buff. If you are not familiar with this, it is a metallic wax that can transform anything metal. It is sold at most craft stores and comes in all these colors.

Here are the colors I tested (L to R) Chinese Red, Spanish Copper, Jade, Pearl Blue, Antique Gold, Emerald & Patina.

Using the underside of the planter, I tested all the colors.

I decided to go with emerald. Using a clean rag, and wearing gloves….I applied the Rub-n-Buff all over the piece.

Like many DIY projects…you just never know until you try. I am not happy with my Kermit planter!

I decided to take a wire bristle brush and distress the finish.

This is much better; however, it is still lacking the interest and depth that I was looking for. Not to mention the fact that now you can see the gold sponging again!