"Distressing is the process of manipulating furniture to appear older or to have been more heavily used," says Jane Henry of Jane Henry Studios, a full-service antique conservation and restoration shop based in New York City. That means that any dust in the air will have all the time it needs to stick to the finish. These finishes can be restored only by reapplication. Of course, properly prepping the metal is absolutely critical. I first attempted using a paint remover. I fill it up about 1″ and work with that, then dispose the cup and pour a fresh one. hide. If you're looking for an affordable way to give a piece of wood furniture a beautiful patina, you might want to consider distressing its finish. Add all of this up, and to me, that makes a “best” finish for interior furniture. On bare wood, lightly sand the surface with 150-grit sandpaper to remove nicks, scratches, and to open up the pores of the wood grain. Reply. Home / Feature Articles / Five Furniture Finishing Tips. Anyway, this stuff really bites in. Aluminum has a dull silver finish, making it similar in appearance to stainless steel. To be clear, I have no affiliations with Flood, the company that makes Penetrol. etc. Q. I have several small metal furniture items at home (newspaper rack, cd rack, mirror, etc.) Rub the ends of the piece of wood -- going with the grain -- then rub the center in a circular motion. Start by laying down drop cloths and preparing the area. After the polish dries, sand flush with 600-grit sandpaper. In other words, watch out for what you might drip it on. After about 8 hours, it’ll still be noticeably tacky. 4. Warning Use mineral spirits to … To restore the sheen on satin finishes, rub with 0000 steel wool and paste wax; for gloss finishes, use auto polishing compound and a rag. save. The purpose of steel wool in the world of furniture refinishing revolves around its use as an abrasive to remove finish, paint, dirt, and grime. Felt-tip touch-up markers come in a variety of wood tones to match common furniture finishes. If you apply Penetrol with a brush, you’ll have to really work it to reduce the visible brush strokes. Powder-coated finishes that often need repainting include cars, bikes, metal furniture, wire frame racks and art installations. Also, kind of off topic, but your plants always look SO healthy and cared for. Sandblasting, or blasting with a combination of air and water, can cover a … It’s usually barely noticeable, unless you’re really scrutinizing a before and after of the metal. They will save you a ton of time and give your furniture piece a beautifully smooth finish. Steel has low, medium or high carbon, with most metal furniture being made with low carbon because it is cheaper than a higher grade of carbon. Abrasive scrubbers or cleaners should not be used as they can scratch the finish, potentially exposing the metal to rust-inducing moisture. Q. Hi there, I have been building furniture incorporating cold rolled steel in my designs for some time now. And if you like a home that's easy to keep clean and sanitized and want some furniture that actually looks pretty fetching, then you really want to take a look at our stainless-steel furniture collection. Or, you lacquer, varnish, seal etc. You just have to hit the metal with a wire brush first to knock off anything that’s loose. report. Hello, I am restoring metal furniture full time. I've been working in manufacturing and repair for the past 14 years. This is the classic method to reduce the sheen on a film finish (shellac, varnish and lacquer). Ferrous metals need a finish even more than wood does -- without one, most quickly combine with oxygen to form rust that deteriorates or discolors them. A little paste wax on some 0000 steel wool can rub out any inconsistencies in your finish creating a clear, smooth finish on the furniture. Metal polishing shows smudges and fingerprints more readily than other finishes. How to Finish Metal With Hand-Rubbed Oil. Choose a white primer under lighter colors and a darker primer under darker colors for uniform coverage. Penetrol will grab on to anything loose on the surface. The most common problem is chipping and peeling, which is the absolute worst. 100 grit sandpaper and/or a power sanding machine, plus a finishing sander. The tannins in the tea will react with the steel-wool-and-vinegar solution to create a darker finish. How To Prepare Metal Patio Furniture For Painting. You start a faux finish with a base coat of a Dixie Belle Chalk paint, in any shade you’d like. It’s always a good idea to try any coating on an off cut before you commit to coating something completely. We opted to use a matte-finish paint, which works well when you don't want to use a primer. It forms a protective finish that is as hard as glass. Then gently go over all the surfaces with the steel wood and water. There are also a lot of other spray-on and paint-on options for clear coats, but I have yet to find anything that outperforms Penetrol, and they all seem to be noticeably more expensive for comparable results. If you’re looking for something different, like a black finish, you might want to look into a burned oil or beeswax finish. We have plenty of stainless-steel furniture … Mix 2 to 3 teaspoons of dish soap into 1 gallon of hot water, and wash the furniture to remove dust, grease, grime and loose paint. etc. See how a beat-up piece of wood furniture was stripped and then prepped for a new finish that combined paint and stain for create a bold design. Either way, there's a good chance you can repair the dull and dingy look of superficial wear by renewing the existing finish. Scrape off any loose paint and rust with a wire brush*. I haven’t tried it on aluminum yet, so I can’t make any recommendations there. If you WANT the metal to keep its rusty appearance, this product still works great. I pour the fresh Penetrol into a disposable beer cup. fart. Steel has low, medium or high carbon, with most metal furniture being made with … Polished stainless steel. Buff the surface lightly, with the grain of the wood, with No. Chalk paint or milk paint provides a similar sheen, but it may need to be sealed with a wax finish. Finish Both Sides at Once. Funny thing, this is actually a paint additive, but then people realized how great it is for finishing metal. Stainless steel is good for low maintenance. … Rub thoroughly working it into hard to reach areas until the surface feels satiny smooth and not slick. Don’t apply this over heavy, loose rust. To me it also has a finish like a varnish, ie it has is a perceptible coating you can feel. 8. Different Kinds of Stainless (and how to tell what's what). Make It From Metal is owned and operated by Maverick Manufacturing Solutions. During the application process, I collected a few tips that I hope to be helpful for changing the finish of your metal items: Whether you use your finger or a soft … If you’ve followed our blog for a while you know we have a pretty “can-do” attitude. Even glass. If you don’t have that option but still want to reduce the brush strokes, try applying it with a super fine steel wool, like this one. 1. My specialty is machining. I want to switch to WAXING so it doesn't darken polished metal. If you’ve followed our blog for a while you know we have a pretty “can-do” attitude. The furniture piece could be relatively new or very old. This is desirable to some people who wish to show off the raw steel finish of the piece to best effect – we generally leave the black/dark grey mill scale on the steel when a customer specifies clear coating. You can also run into issues with discoloration. Wipe off the old, dissolved finish with a clean, soft cloth. This metal finishing creates a reflective, mirror-like surface on metals. How to Distress Furniture 1. The pigmented finishes, such as paint or enamel, are easy to identify. Then use 0000 steel wool wrapped around a softwood or cork block to produce a hand-rubbed, satin finish. Given that steel will rust over time, sealing off the metal is really important. You can try other spray on or brush on clear coats, like acrylic or urethane paints. I like to do a hatched pattern with the strokes so it’s more uniform. Rub ‘n Buff in Gold Leaf. Antique Bronze is used for lighting fixtures, railings, hardware, gates, gift items, basically anywhere steel or iron need to be given a Antique Bronze Look. Finishing Metal Furniture. In this video, wood finishing expert Bruce Johnson shares tips for refinishing new and old furniture. Brushes for applying the stripper and scraping tools for removing it. Brush on wood conditioner prior to staining. I also have done a lot of welding/fabrication, along with special processes. Steel wool is also used as a polishing agent on certain types of finishes. Prime with a high-quality rust preventive spray primer. Request a quote, link to Different Kinds of Stainless (and how to tell what's what), Alternatives for Finishing Metal Furniture. Remove dust and dirt from cracks with a clean, dry brush to make sure your furniture is free of all lint, dirt and dust. The finish has very little odor when wet, it cleans up with soap and water, and the cured finish is pretty durable. Previously, I’ve had absolutely miserable results with different kinds of lacquers, acrylic spray paints, polyurethanes, etc. Steps: 1. Use the cool setting. 14 comments. On an old furniture piece, clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with commercial wood cleaner. We think the clear coated steel … When it comes time to paint your metal furniture, Henry recommends choosing an exterior-grade latex or oil-based paint for brushing, or an exterior grade spray paint specific to metal, such as Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint ($9.14, amazon.com) and Rust-Oleum … Even with a bunch of effort, they’ll still probably be visible. Then you apply a second coat of the metal paint and … It’s a type of penetrating oil, so it seeps into every little pore of the metal and does a great job of bonding. satin latex paint for the base coat satin latex paint or a wood stain for the top coat painting tools candle medium-grade steel wool sandpaper tack cloth polyurethane to finish (optional) There are definitely a lot of ways that you can finish bare steel. Wipe down the furniture with a clean, lint-free cloth. Make It From Metal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I ended up applying 4 coats total to achieve a pretty, multi-dimensional brass finish. For the most part, this is pretty easy stuff to work with. How to re-finish steel furniture. Then remove mildew with a bleach and water solution. Make sure the piece is free of any dirt or sticky substances. My plan was to strip the paint down to the bare metal but little did I know that stripping paint off of metal is about as easy as splitting an atom. The industrial look of unpainted steel is becoming massively popular. IKEA and I have a long history together. Once your solution is ready, mix hot water and tea in another glass jar. Ferrous metals need a finish even more than wood does -- without one, most quickly combine with oxygen to form rust that deteriorates or discolors them. I quickly named it the “bane of my existence dresser”. It’ll bond well to other things, too. Wipe off the sanding dust with a tack cloth. How to Finish Metal With Hand-Rubbed Oil. A good and inexpensive way to accomplish this is to use an acid pickle consisting of equal volumes of water and muriatic acid. Paint your furniture in a dust-free area. Make It From Metal also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. The wax needs to be applied several times, buffed. Hot rolled steel has a black oxide coating called mill scale. Next, dry the surface with a clean cloth and apply a coat of chalk paint, which has a matte finish and scrapes off easily. If your interest is in restoring antique or valuable old furniture, look first at products designed to clean and restore antique furniture without refinishing. Don’t use it if it’s below 50 degrees. In this article we'll show you how to apply polycrylic finish on your project in just a few easy steps. Clean it off with a soft, clean … I like to do a hatched pattern with the strokes so it’s more uniform. I am planning on making a bar and using angle iron as legs. Kind of counter intuitive. Then re-applied every so often. I came across a steel tanker desk that had been refinished by a woman and it looked spectacular. Some mineral spirits will also help with cleanup. If you absolutely don’t want brush strokes, try applying it by spraying. Let’s take a look together at all the best ways to paint IKEA furniture that will help you achieve a professional-looking and long-lasting finish. Protect the stripped surface with a … Posted August 17, 2012. In Feature Articles, Finishing, Shop Blog, Techniques, Woodworking Blogs 9. And if you do need to do some touch-ups in the future, they blend right in. Now I run a consulting company to help others solve manufacturing problems. Frankly, I don’t even keep a fresh can of oil-based polyurethane anymore. My clients like the look of the steel unpainted so I have been using a spray polyurethane (Minwax) to seal the steel to prevent from rusting. Polyurethane is one of the hardest protective finishes for wood furniture that the average do-it-yourselfer can successfully apply. Once the finish has cured, sand the surface with 600- or 800-grit sandpaper to shear off any dust pimples and to level brush marks and drips. The type of media used again will determine the quality of the resulting finish. Use ultra fine steel wool to get a matte finish. Polished metal is a common stainless steel finish that is found in many traditional homes. If you’re brushing it on, use a small container. Aluminum is most often used in outdoor furniture and tends to work best with cool colors. Allow the conditioner to dry for 15 minutes. These can look really cool, very similar to a seasoned cast-iron pan. These steel dressers date back to approx the 1930’s and I’ve seen them sell for upwards of $1500. Warning: Skip this step and the top can twist, cup or warp. It might sound a bit wasteful, but it’s really not. Wet the steel wool with the solvent and gently scrub the surface. With grade No. You've discovered a great piece of furniture, but the once-shiny finish has seen better days. Then apply a commercial cleaner/conditioner and lightly buff the wood again. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Especially if you have a particular look you’re trying to achieve. 81% Upvoted . The best, most durable color finish for metals is a process called powder coating. Steel Wool Grades. It is harder, more durable and dries more quickly than varnish. 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