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Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

DIY PROJECTS

Using Rub n Buff to Update Antique Hardware

Updating Antique Hardware Using Rub n Buff / DIY Rub n Buff Tutorial / A Hosting Home Blog

This post contains affiliate links. Please see the disclosure on my about page for more information.

Using Rub n Buff to Update Antique Hardware

After seeing it used all over DIY-instagram, I fell in love with Rub n Buff for myself when I used it to transform and update the antique hardware on the china cabinet that I recently refinished. Not only am I now I firm believer in this stuff, I am obsessed! It was so easy to use and is like magic in a tube. While I talked a little bit about it in a previous blog post covering the china cabinet makeover, I wanted to talk a little bit more about it today on the blog!

READ ALSO: Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper

Rub n Buff DIY Tutorial

I’ve found that antique hardware can look super dull, especially against a newly refinished piece. Rub ‘n Buff is hands down the easiest way to update your antique hardware during your refinishing project. It’s formulated from waxes and metallic powders that give a finish that metallic spray paint can’t duplicate. Its application is unlike anything that I’ve used before – very different than a paint or wax. It takes a certain technique to get the antiqued look natural and just right. It comes in a tiny tube that doesn’t look like it would be a lot to work with, but I promise that a little bit goes a long way!

How to Use Rub n Buff

To use rub n buff, you simply just rub or apply using stiff brush (not fluffy) on the product and gently buff to get a beautiful luster until you get your desired finish. If you’re using a brush, squeeze a tiny bit of product out on a paper plate to work it into your brush. You’ll want to start very lightly, because whatever you are putting it on will grab the pigment very fast — and unlike paint or wax, rub n buff will ‘dry’ pretty much right away. It’s harder to blend it in or spread it around after the fact once it’s applied in an area. Remember, you can always add more pigment, but you can’t easily take it away! Using shorter brush strokes in almost a swirly motion will help eliminate any visible brush strokes when applying.

Tip: If you’re wanting to transform a more modern piece or cover up an existing gold brass to give it more character, you can spray the piece with black spray paint first before applying the rub n buff for an antiqued gold look. You can experiment with your final look and go for more contrast by letting the base coat show through, or a more subtle look by adding more layers of gold or even mixing multiple colors.

Tip: When working on my china cabinet hardware, I found that the rub n buff adhered better to porous surfaces over smooth metal surfaces. If you’re working with a smooth metal surface, you may want to rough it up with a piece of steel wool or a sanding block before you get started for the product to transfer better. 

When to Use Rub n Buff

I think you could really use rub n buff to transform anything you set your mind to. I think it’s typically used on smaller projects, but Lacey at Ponderosa and Plaid even used it to transform the black iron railing on her staircase! It’s the perfect thing to use when you’re wanting to go for an aged look instead of a smooth ‘new’ finish. Obviously it’s ideal to use on low traffic pieces for the best durability over time. However, it is definitely permanent, so you shouldn’t have to worry about the finish coming off easily. If you’re looking for extra protection, I’d just spray it with a lacquer/sealer and call it a day.

 

 

For my china cabinet, I used the color Antique Gold. Watch the video below to see just how easy it is to apply it!

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A post shared by Cathy | A Hosting Home (@ahostinghome)

BEFORE

Here is a look at the china cabinet I refinished before I used rub n buff on the antique hardware. It didn’t look ‘bad’ before by any means, but the hardware definitely looked dull. I wanted to make it pop again while keeping the antique gold look (since this was in fact an antique I acquired from my grandmother!)


AFTER

Here is a look at the hardware after the rub n buff was applied! How stunning is that! It absolutely took the bold look of this china cabinet makeover to the next level. I love how it made all of the hardware pop against the black paint while keeping true to the antique color and nature of the piece.

Updating Antique Hardware Using Rub n Buff / DIY Rub n Buff Tutorial / A Hosting Home Blog Updating Antique Hardware Using Rub n Buff / DIY Rub n Buff Tutorial / A Hosting Home Blog Updating Antique Hardware Using Rub n Buff / DIY Rub n Buff Tutorial / A Hosting Home Blog

Shop Rub n Buff Below!

 

Well there you have it, friends! I hope this inspires you to try using rub n buff for your next DIY project! Are you a rub n buff fanatic already? Or are you planning to try it out for the first time soon? Leave me a comment with what you think about it below!

Updating Antique Hardware Using Rub n Buff / DIY Rub n Buff Tutorial / A Hosting Home Blog

February 3, 2021

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I’m already starting to get ours prepped thanks to @walmart Lawn and Garden! #AD With a newborn and a toddler, running errands can be quite the task. But thanks to #WalmartLawnandGarden, I’ve been able to get everything I need to kickstart our garden this year in one place — from the convenience of snuggling my babies on my couch with Walmart.com and the app! The time it saved me from running all over town, I got to spend making core memories with John as we taught him how to start his very first set of seeds in the @jiffygroup seed starting tray. 

Here’s a look at what we got to kickstart our garden this year:
- The @jiffygroup Seed Starting Greenhouse Kit: to grow our own seedlings and get a head start on the season by starting them indoors! 
- The  @ferrymorseseed Seed Starting Heat Mat: to give our seeds the best chance possible to promote germination and improve transplant results 
- Ferry Morse Seeds (flowers, tomatoes, and peppers!) 
- @pennington Rejuvenate Potting Mix and Garden Soil: to give our seedlings the nutrients they need once transplanted into our garden 
- Pennington Rejuvenate Tomato Plant Food
- @scottslawn Landscaping Fabric: to keep our garden clean and free of pesky weeds
- The @flexonhose Flextreme Advanced 100ft Hose: to keep it all watered without fighting kinks as we move easily around our raised garden beds

Add this kit to your cart now ➡️ https://click2cart.com/59600bc

Get a jumpstart on your spring and summer garden this year by shopping everything you need at Walmart, in-store or online at Walmart.com. And stay tuned to see how our garden comes together and grows this year! 

#GrowYourGardenatWalmart #GreenThumbAndGardenVariety
Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or reall Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or really, are you tired of forgetting to charge your Dyson?) Because I was. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Enter in: a DIY-er’s solution ➡️ stick a @dewalttough battery on that thing and vacuum for weeks on a single charge. 

But really, I’ve been using the same battery charge for a couple weeks now on vacuuming the downstairs of our house — and with two kids and two dogs, I do a quick vacuum every single day (sometimes multiple times a day!) The best part? Can rotate and charge with all our other Dewalt tool batteries. 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with links to shop or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/432TF

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Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this stu Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this study transformation we finished right before baby got here! Officially my favorite room and project in the house right now. 😍 #ahostinghome 

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with a link to shop sources or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/42XaB

#diy #diyprojects #diyproject #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomedecor #diybuilds #diybuild #diybuiltins #builtins #builtinshelves #bhghome #bhg #mybhg #bhglivebetter #whodatwithponderosa #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #diyideas #diylikeamother #diyhome #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #ltkhome
James Kayleb Nugent January 20th, 2023 💛 James James Kayleb Nugent
January 20th, 2023 💛

James was born last Friday morning, and spent the first 5 days in the NICU for some breathing issues and fluid in his lungs. While those days were extremely rough, trying, and brought back a lot of emotions from Layne’s birth — God is so good, and my heart is just overwhelmed by His faithfulness. My favorite moment in life thus far was surprising John before bedtime the night we were finally discharged to come home. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I walked through that door. Thank you, Jesus, for my babies. 🦋💛 #ahostinghome
10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the 10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the entire room black. ✨ #ahostinghome

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

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✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous respon ✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous responses when I said I wanted to design an all black formal study right off my entryway, but I’m completely obsessed with every detail of this space. Rob has always wanted a study, so my goal with this space when it’s finished is to have almost like a moody, swanky cigar lounge feel. When we moved into this house this spring, I told Rob I was done playing it “safe for resale” with designing projects. Here’s to more of doing whatever the heck I want design wise in 2023! 👏🏼✨ Next up: let’s get this space styled and furnished! #ahostinghome

// Paint Color: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint Marquee (satin on built ins, eggshell on walls) at @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

// Wallpaper: @wall.blush 

// Light Fixture linked via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Yy4l #ltkhome 

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It’s been a year. ✨ & I can’t wait to see wh It’s been a year. ✨ & I can’t wait to see what the next one holds. #ahostinghome
“And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end. “And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end.” ✨🎄 When do you take your Christmas decor down? The Christmas decor got put away earlier this week, and the house always feels so empty every year when it gets taken down! I was going to wait till next week to take it down, but with only 3 weeks left until baby arrives I’m finding myself in total nesting mode right now. Behind the scenes we’ve been putting finishing touches on the study while Rob was off work for Christmas, so I’ll be sharing all the photos and updates on that to the feed soon. In the meantime, who wants to come organize closets and baby stuff with me?! 😜 #ahostinghome

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✨ Christmas Karen-ing ✨ It’s like caroling, ✨ Christmas Karen-ing ✨ It’s like caroling, but from your least favorite neighbor. #ahostinghome 

#christmas #funnyvideos #funnymemes #funnyreels #momsofinstagram #christmasdecor #christmastree #christmastime #karen #bhghome #whodatwithponderosa #bhgholiday #bhghowiholiday #bhgchristmas #bhgcelebrate #sourhernliving #hgtv #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #countryliving #momlife #momreels #christmaskaren

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