I know, I know… the name sounds ridiculous! In reality, Rub n Buff is quickly becoming one of my favorite tools when working on projects. With barely any effort, this pigmented metallic wax can transform an ordinary piece into something beautiful and give a subtle antiqued finish.
I needed a lamp for my office… so for this week’s project, I transformed a thrifted lamp with some paint, and a bit of Rub n Buff into a beautiful piece of Victorian decor.
Yep… another project for my office remodel. Every desk needs a lamp… and in a room where I’ll be working on projects, it’s critical to have as much light as possible! And because I want my office to be a creative space…. it was important to me to be as creative as possible when decorating. As an avid DIY’er, this is just one of MANY DIY projects I’ll be working on for my office! Did you happen to see the Black Upholstered Memo Board or the Metamorphic Skull Candle Sconce I already created for my office wall? Stay tuned for lots more!
I found this lamp at Goodwill… of course. If you’ve read my posts, you know I get a kick out of turning trash into treasure! Thrift stores always have so many lamps to choose from and most are pretty ordinary… as was this one. But that lamp section of any thrift store is always a great opportunity to think outside of the box, and try to see those pieces for what they can be instead of what they are. I thought this one had great bones, and the carved detail made it a perfect candidate for the wax finish. Believe it or not.. I found the shade at a thrift store as well… what a bonus! I kept it exactly as is!
What you’ll need:
- Lamp & Shade
- Painters tape
- Paint – I used Flat Black
- Rub ‘N Buff Wax Metallic Finish
– I used European Gold
– I used European Gold
1. Clean or sand your lamp base as needed
2. Tape the cord next to the base (so you don’t get any paint on it… especially important if you choose to use spray paint!)
3. Paint the base (and finial if applicable) in a solid color. The image to the left shows what the base looked like after just the coat of black paint…. still cool, of course, but not as special as it could be!
4. Once dry, apply the Rub n Buff. You can use your finger or a soft cloth. I used my finger. An important warning… a little goes a LONG way!! Start with a little dab and you can always add more. Here’s the interesting thing about rub ‘n buff…. instead of looking like a finish that you have applied over paint, it almost gives the impression that the paint has been rubbed away, and the metallic is peaking out from behind…. so when choosing where to rub the wax… choose spots that may normally show wear and tear (like the raised areas)… or choose carved edges. I choose a bit of both. Have fun with this step, and know that if you royally F it up… just cover over it with the paint, and try again!
5. Once dry… the intention of this product is to buff it… which produces a shine. For this lamp, I actually wanted a dull metallic finish, so I skipped this step.
So simple, huh? I love this product so much I purchased the Rub ‘n Buff 12 Color Sampler Set
If you like the Victorian Tea Cup Candle pictured above…. I have several listed in the Me and Annabel Lee Shop on Etsy.
(This post contains affiliate links)
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