Thursday, March 15, 2012

Silver Leaf Rub n' Buff Desk Redo ~ How To

Ok everyone!  I've had lots of emails about how to apply the Rub n' Buff to large pieces of furniture.  Does it need to be sealed? Do you need to prep the furniture.  So, I am adding to my previous, Rub n' Buff  tips and tricks post. I've been playing around with the stuff...  a lot...  since that post and I think I have now decided that the "how to"  I'm about to show you is the EASIEST way to use Rub n' Buff on big pieces of furniture.  So here goes...  this is for working on wood furniture.

First... you DON'T have to prep the furniture before using Rub n' Buff (at least I never have), other than making sure it is clean of course.  No sanding, or stripping or anything like that, (this is assuming that you don't have any chips, scratches, cracks, holes, or any other damage that needs fixing.  Rub n' Buff WILL NOT hide damaged areas.  It will highlight it, if anything.)  I haven't had any problems applying it over painted furniture, stained furniture, and unfinished furniture.

Second... Fill a spray bottle with Deglosser.  You can pick up the Deglosser at Lowe's.



Third... Spray the area you want to work on.  By area I mean the entire side, or top, or draw fronts.  Mist the whole area, but don't spray so much that it drips.  Here is the side of the desk with three sprays of Deglosser you can spray until most of the area has been covered.  DON'T SPRAY SO MUCH THAT IT RUNS DOWN THE SIDE.  The Deglosser evaporates fast so you will want to get straight to applying the Rub n' Buff.



Fourth.... Apply a rather large blob of Rub n' Buff to a cloth.  The bigger the area the bigger the blob.  Here is a picture of the size blob I used to cover the side of this desk which was 16" x 27".  I had already used some of the Rub n' Buff on another project so even though it may look like I use half the tube... I didn't.  Just squeeze till you have a blob about the size of two FAT peas.  I will say that having a little larger blob than you need to cover the whole side is better than having a blob that is too small.  Too small of a blob will create an uneven look and you'll have to do it over.  As soon as you do one side you will get the feel for how big of a blob you will need to continue on the other areas (I hope). You can smear the Rub n' Buff around on the area before you start rubbing.  Smear some from your cloth on the top, bottom, sides, and in the middle then start rubbing the smears together.



Fifth... Repeat until you've cover the whole piece.  Pretty easy really, and doesn't take very long to do.

Sixth... When it's dry, buff it with a clean cloth till it's super shiny!

A lot of people have asked if Rub n' Buff needs to be sealed.  This is not such an easy question for me to answer.  Rub n' Buff is a metallic wax and I believe is NOT intended to be sealed.  Some people say that if you spray it with Polyurethane it will mess up the finish.  Here is what I have found...   It depends on the color you are using and what you are using it on.  Some colors, like Pearl Blue for example,  I have used on full furniture pieces (wood and vinyl), and have had no problems with it  rubbing off and have had no problems cleaning them with pledge furniture polish or even a multipurpose cleaner.   Other colors like Silver Leaf for example tends to give off a residue (rub your hand over it and there will be a hint of silver on your hand)  no matter how much you buff it.  I had this happen with the desk I posted above.   I DID spray a light coat of Polyurethane over the desk and it didn't mess up my finish but, I was VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER SPRAY it.  No bubbles or drips!  That took care of the silver residue.  




Ok, so there you go.  Hope this has helped.

***UPDATE, UPDATE*** Spoke with the good people at Rub n' Buff and they advised that Rub n' Buff can oxidize and change color a bit when used in high humidity climates (like Florida). A sealer should be used, and a water based Varathane sealer was recommended . (However, I use a spray Poly and have had not problems.)

Smiles!
~Renew Redo~

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24 comments:

  1. Great tutorial. I love the desk, it is gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

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  2. OOOH YOUR PLANTS!!! <3 them! Oh and the desk is nice too ;)

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  3. im on a rub & buff kick but have kept to small pieces after this i might try it on a big piece thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Don't you just love it?! So much fun to play with!!

      Smiles!
      Sammy ~ Renew Redo

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  4. I actually used it on a basic plain brass chandelier yesterday (used the silver) and it turned out amazing...has the look of brushed nickel. I had been wanting to replace this chandelier for ages but now it is good to go. And the best thing was I didn't have to remove the fixture from the ceiling so it was super easy.

    Have you tired the Black color yet? I was thinking about trying it on a basic little bookcase I have and then if that goes well doing it on a guest bathroom builder grade bathroom cabinet to update it.

    Also where are you having the most luck purchasing this?

    Thank you..this is great information.

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    1. Hi Louise,
      I have tried the black, it doesn't really look metallic in any way. More like a glossy black, but not even a high gloss. If you look at the before pictures of the desk you can see the corner of the top of the desk(just a smidge). That is actually Black Rub n' Buff. If you try it, let me know what you think about it. I'd love to hear.

      Smiles!
      Sammy ~ Renew Redo

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  5. I have been wanting to try to this stuff and I think you've given me the courage to do so - thank you,
    Gerrie

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  6. have you tried using the pewter?

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    1. Just saw this question you posted, and I'll chime in here to say that I have used the pewter, and I very much like it. I like it better than the silver.

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  7. Thanks for the simple tutorial.

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  8. I'm very much enjoying your tutorial. I am hoping to achieve a metallic finish on an upright pressboard cabinet. I would prefer a shiny effect using several metallic colors.
    Please, please give me suggestions on how to best achieve a blended metallic look.
    Thank you!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Daisy! When you say "several metallic colors" are talking about blending together golds, silvers, coppers, and so on?

      Smiles!
      Sammy ~ Renew Redo

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    2. Hello Back At Ya,
      I'm hoping to achieve a variegated, mottled metallic effect. I’d like to simulate a metallic finish I’ve seen by “pouncing” various shades of foil sheets. Is it possible to use Rub N Buff to get that same look?
      Also, I’d like to give my pleather recliner loveseat a refresh. It’s currently stored away in the den, and is a dark hunter green color (ugh). I’ve been thinking about getting rid of it, but now I may actually try using your techniques to give it a 2nd life. Do you think Rub ‘N Buff will work on a recliner pleather loveseat? How's your chair holding up?
      I’m brand-new to your site and to the Rub ‘N Buff product. Thank you for sharing!!!!!
      Cheers,
      Daisy

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    3. Hey Daisy, if you email me, renewredo@hotmail.com , and I'll see if I can help. Got too many questions for the comment box. :)

      Smiles!
      Sammy - Renew Redo

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  9. Hi Sammy,
    I'm wanting to use the silver rub & buff for my bedroom furniture. I did try it on my head board and its super uneven. I know I should of tried it on a smaller piece first... But, I thought to do the bed first so it dries first... Please help me!! my email is ashleyblair03@gmail.com.
    Thanks,
    Ashley

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  10. Sammy,
    I have used the Black Rub N Buff to slightly darken a dining room chair to match the table I have. It looks awesome but I am worried that it could come off onto clothes when you sit on it for an extended period of time. Since it is wax, can body heat melt it? Have you ever had trouble with this? I have 5 other chairs and don't want to put it on all of them without being sure. I have not yet had time to sit on it for an extended period of time to test it. :)

    Thanks in advance,
    Sarah
    slatio@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Hey Sarah, sorry for the delayed reply on this one!! I haven't had any trouble with the Rub n' Buff coming off (other than with the Silver Leaf, which I use a sealer on for just that reason) If you are worried about it though, you can always spray them with spray Polyurethane. Just be sure to hold the can at least 12" away so you have more of a mist of the Poly instead of a hard stream, and do a couple of coats. Hope that helps! : )

      Smiles!
      Sammy ~ Renew Redo

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  11. Looks great. Never thought of using it for a whole piece of furniture. How many tubes did you use.

    Also, I have found the Krylon silver leafing pen to be amazing! If you want a more gleaming, shiny silver, like on the hardware or little crevasses or to high light, it is the bomb! thank you for posting all your beautiful transformations!

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  12. I just found this site and I LOVE your projects. I just found a beautiful nightstand that I want to gilver-fy. I am also going to use the silver flashing on the top, thanks for that idea, genius! So my question is can you mix gold and silver wax before you apply it to the furniture to get the gilver look?

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  13. Regarding the liquid deglosser, could we wipe it on rather than spray? I was hoping to put Rub 'N Buff on a bed headboard in situ, and don't want deglosser overspray in my bedroom.

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  14. Will the rub and buff cover would filler use to repair imperfections? Where can I purchase it?

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  15. Awesome! !!!! Thanks for sharing your talents

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  16. I really enjoy reading your blog and waiting for your next update. I appreciate your idea of sharing this post. Thanks for sharing this post.

    Aluminium Welding

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  17. Thank you so much, having problems with the silver rub and buff still coming off after applying on a dresser, will seal, appreciate the information

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Hey there! Leave me a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you have a question and want a faster answer, just email me at renewredo@hotmail.com
Smiles!

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