Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I rubbed, and i buffed, and i blew the house down.

Not really.  But "i rubbed and i buffed and i have a shiny new mirror" seemed too vague for anyone to know where the reference came from...but, well, i rubbed and i buffed and i have a shiny new mirror!

I have seriously been jonesing to use rub n buff somewhere, and while i have my "big idea," i'm too chicken to actually take that step on a key piece of furniture.  Mind you, "big idea" is still super small.  You're talking to the girl who thought spray painting wooden frames black was a huge feat, and who only got the nerve to spray said frames after reading countless blogs and success stories.  I'm a baby steps sort of person.

So, what can i use this little tube of silver goodness on as sort of a practice, to perfect my rub n buff skills?  This mirror that we no longer used seemed the perfect candidate.  She started off a brassy gold, which is the in thing now, but just won't jive in the living room where i plan to place her.  One day.  Baby steps.



No, no, that's not dust or dirt.  It's just the way the mirror is. Sort of like there's silver peeking through the gold, and i want to do the reverse.


Success!  Silvery with gold peeking through. 


The eagle eyes could spot that this is 20 inches, so a nice size for part of a gallery wall. 


All it took was the teensiest bit of paint, and my fingers.  I could have used a brush, but this mirror had swirls and nooks i knew i could get my fingers into.  Plus, it adds to the simplicity of it all.  No brushes to clean.


Then i got a little too rub n buff happy.  Tried to use it on a shiny wood frame (FAIL!) and tried to use it on dollar store cardboardish frame (FAIL).  All i can say is, thank goodness i didn't try this first, because there would have been no way i would have attempted that mirror after these results! 


Moral of the story-you might not want to use this on everything in your line of vision, but what does  work, works very well. Wondering why didn't i just spray paint the mirror?  Answer-i just wanted to try this stuff and the result is instant gratification.  Instant gratification in air conditioning.  Big draw. 

Have you ever used this paint? Any tips and tricks? 

 RnB (we're cool like that) does not know who i am, does not know i used it for the very first time, and does not know of my future baby steps plans with it.  My fails probably had more to do with me not knowing what one should actually use this on than any implication about RnB.  Also, why is "teensiest" flagged by spellcheck, but it recommends "weensiest."  Why is that any more ok of a word? 

 before and after party, thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, mod mix monday, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed life, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, refresh your nest @ making lemonade, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, furniture fri @ miss mustard seed, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, powere of paint.

46 comments:

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

That stuff is addictive! And I usually use my finger too. Or sometimes an old stencil brush to get in nooks and crannies. Your mirror looks fabulous!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Linda @ A La Carte said...

Your mirror turned out super cute! I don't even take baby steps right now in painting! I am not too afraid of spray paint but the being outdoors in this heat isn't happening! Good job! hugs, Linda

Morgan said...

I haven't ever tried that before, but your results are fantastic! I love how it turned out - that is a beautiful mirror.

Debbie @ OtRD said...

Looks fabulous!

Scribbler said...

OK, now following. I had another Blogger blog a long time ago, and I think I was following then. All fixed1

One tip I learned a long time ago with RnB (ha!) is to use a stencil brush with a bit of turpenoid or or mineral spirits -- those things will thin it down, and the stencil brush keeps it off your fingers.

The Charm of Home said...

It turned out wonderful! I am going to try it without the rub part. it is supposed to look like zinc stuff. Might be trying it for Christmas. We'll see.
Sherry

Connie said...

Your mirror re-do is outstanding . . . it could not have been easy getting into all those little details, and I can not imagine how long it took to get all that paint out from around your nails. You do have a beautiful finished project to hang on the wall an admire for many years to come.
Thank you for your sweet visit to my blog. I'm am happy that you liked my ceiling . . . it was fun to paint, but one of those jobs that gets to your neck and shoulders. Do come visit again . . . I wish there were a way that I could have had a dish of warm cookies wait for you on the table.
Have a glorious day, Connie :)

Heather said...

I love Rub 'n Buff too, but it works best on something that has a little bit of texture. I tried it on a smooth metal lamp, and it was a disaster. As far as getting it off fingers, I just use a mildly abrasive kitchen sponge to scrub afterwards. Nail polish remover works to reach the nooks and crannies around fingernails too.

Just Jaime said...

My mom loves the stuff too! Love your mirror!

Lisa said...

I've never used that stuff, but I recommended it to a lot of people back when I worked at Michaels :)

But what caught my eye was your clearance love wall art! LOVE!

Coloradolady said...

Really pretty!! Great job, I love redoing things into cute and pretty~~ Happy VTT

Unknown said...

Love the mirror. Turned out really great. I am like you, whenever I do a project, I just look around the room and see what else I can try it on.....lol Great job.

Jill said...

weensiest?? really? I think spell check has it's own agenda sometimes - kind of like predictive text on phones!
Love your rubbed and buffed mirror! I've heard about this stuff too but haven't tried it myself yet!

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your mirror looks wonderful!

The last time I used that stuff I thought that I'd never get it off of my hands!

Anonymous said...

Love the mirror redo ... you're right that it is the perfect size to add to a gallery wall ... will add a great shape among the square frames. I too am addicted to rub-n-buff. I even used it to transform a linen matt around a painting from cream to antique gold to make the gold frame look larger ... yes, I used it on fabric! (posted about that) When I use my finger to apply the paste I wear a disposable plastic glove, instant clean-up.

Robin
happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com

Amaco said...

Thanks for using AMACO's Rub 'n Buff. Your mirror looks great!

We typically suggest that you use the material on a porous surface for best results. If you have something very smooth, it might require a little light sanding first with some very very fine sandpaper. Check out our Facebook page for more ideas and tips at Rub 'n Buff Metallic Finishes.

Rachel said...

Oh! I've never tried that stuff! I see Rubbin' and Buffin' in my future! :) Your mirror turned out very nice! I get that "what else can I use this stuff on" when it comes to chalkboard spray paint! hehe

RobinfromCA said...

Your mirror turned out terrific! I've used that stuff too and have had hits and misses. But I do like to use my fingers. I feel as if I have more control!
Visiting from VTT,
Robin

Unknown said...

i love the stuff come by and check out some of my RnB projects...
love how your mirror turned out awesome
www.makinmyaptahome.com

Peggy Meckling-Baker said...

I love how the mirror turned out. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. I'm your newest follower!

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

Your mirror turned out super pretty--I like it a lot!

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Baby steps work for me too! I like your timid approach because it mimics my own and therefore validates my fear of going all out on things like others do. Good job!
Liz

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

It turned out great! Really lovely. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from The Shabby Creek. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-9.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've never used this paint. But your mirror came out beautiful! I love the shape of it.
Brenda

Kahli said...

I think I have this same exact mirror that I purchased from the goodwill, but it's actually gold. Love the silver look! And rub n buff is the greatest thing ever!

Tami Michel said...

Love the way it turned out - great job. Somehow I get more on my fingers than on my projects!!! Would love to invite you to link up and share over at Curb Alert's! Friday Block Party. Hope to see you there! http://tamicurbalert.blogspot.com/2012/08/friday-block-party-13-come-join-us.html
Tami @ Curb Alert!

Martha said...

You did a great job with the mirror -- I simply adore rub n buff! Have used it for YEARS!

Diann said...

Love it. It turned out great. the small touches of gold peeking through is just perfect. Thank you for joining TTF!

Jana@Transformations From the Heart said...

Love how your mirror turned out. I've never used Rub and Buff. Might just have to give it a try.

Brandi said...

Great makeover. I've been jonesing to use some rub n buff too! Your posts always crack me up. You have great way of showing your humorous side in you blog posts.

oops! said...

Love it! Crazy what a little paint can do! (and muscle power too)

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple said...

Love the new color!

OurProvisionalPlace said...

I have not heard of the RnB stuff before but wow I love the results! Good job.

Debbiedoos said...

Well you needed gloves, but you did a great job! Thanks for sharing.

Decor To Adore said...

I love RnB! I have several different shades. The mirror looks great!

Andrea said...

I am a rub n' buff addict and I admit it. It is hard to work with on smooth surfaces, but with lots of practice, I will now attempt to use it on just about anything, even shoes. Love the mirror!

Andrea said...

I am a rub n' buff addict and I admit it. It is hard to work with on smooth surfaces, but with lots of practice, I will now attempt to use it on just about anything, even shoes. Love the mirror!

Andrea said...

I am a rub n' buff addict and I admit it. It is hard to work with on smooth surfaces, but with lots of practice, I will now attempt to use it on just about anything, even shoes. Love the mirror!

Modern Camelot said...

Oooh, I love how this looks! I've never used RnB before, but now I want to try a project with it!!

Mrs. Handyverger said...

I'm a RnB fiend. It's so much fun! :) Your mirror turned out simply gorgeous. :)

(And I've also been surprised at which things it works on and which things are a complete fail.)

teenah said...

The mirror frame looks wonderful in silver! great job!

Kristen {a little ditty} said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog :) I love what you did with the mirror, looks great!

Kylie Rose said...

CHROME SPRAY PAINT!! :)

Brooke said...

I have yet to try that stuff but I want to! Your mirror came out gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I actually have an oil rubbed bronze mirror I want to change. While I think spray paint has its purpose, I'm not always crazy about the way metallic colors come out, I much prefer your mirror in that it has dimension if that makes any since. You convinced me to try it on my half bath mirror when I redo it. Thanks for the info and honesty about the "failed" projects.