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Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,519
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

[ Edited ]

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I've posted on these in past projects too--  they are so easy to use, to dress up or give new life to your decor.

 

Rub'n Buff is basically a colored wax, that you rub or brush onto metal, wood, or glass objects ( I think even plastic and resin too) to enrich their look.  It's a wax, but the metallic color stays permanently on the item you put it on.

 

I found an example online of what someone did with theirs.  She had pretty brass dishes that she wanted to make candlesticks of.   So she treated some glass tubes with "Antique Gold" rub'n buff, and attached them to the dishes--

Antique-Glass-Brass-supplies.jpg

 

AFTER:

 

Antique-Glass-Brass-1.jpg

 

How nicely they came out.

 

I've used mine ( readily available from Amazon) on metal and wood before, with great results.  My favorite color is the "Antique Gold" too, which gives that aged effect, not garish at all.

 

Most people seem to use it on picture frames.  Here's my latest use for it, if you can stand a long story.  If you have a boring or raw wood finish on anything, this product might be useful for you.

 

We got some simple, inexpensive water colors from Paris, of typical French street scenes.  Unbeknownst to me, my adorable mother had them framed for me in blond wood frames when we got back.  LOVE them and have the four of them grouped on a wall wherever we've lived.

 

They're very similar to this one I found online, but mine are predominantly blue:

 

il_1588xN.2595932080_5bdy.avif

 

 

The almost unfinished looking wood of the frames wasn't that exciting.  Especially since I have two golden objects flanking my arrangement of the four small paintings.  On one side, is a small, gilt baroque mirror.   Balancing the other side of the four, is a brass candle sconce with distressed brass wall plate.  

 

Soooooo,  I wanted the painting grouping to relate better to the objects flanking them, and at least hint at a "gold" color.   So, as simple as that, I donned rubber gloves, squeezed out a tiny bit from the "Antique Gold" tube, and treated each frame, lightly.   I wanted a light application, just barely enough at first-- but may make it deeper later.   

 

You can still see the grain of the wood, but the frames are now ever so lightly gilded, and don't look as out of place with the mirror and sconce.   If you want a more opaque finish, like I've done in the past, you just keep applying the wax.

 

You often see people online applying it with bare fingers, but, no, I'd always have either a glove, or a brush, to protect your hands.   It's as easy as a breeze, and quite transformative! 

 

Edited to add--  Oh, and later ( true to the name),  you gently buff it with a soft cloth.   The wax dries almost immediately, so as soon as it does, you buff.  That brings up a soft sheen. 

 

 

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,135
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

OMG my mom used this stuff over 50 years ago I did not know it was still around

 

 

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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,505
Registered: ‎05-01-2020

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

Have you seen or do you know if this would work on baskets? I have one that is lighter than I want for where it is but it won't take stain and I don't want to use paint (I prefer to see the texture).

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,346
Registered: ‎07-18-2013

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

thanks for posting @Oznell .  I can use some of this now to refresh a frame that's been through some tough times.   Must have missed previous posts so thanks for the update posting.  

If my dog doesn't like you, neither do I.
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,093
Registered: ‎05-31-2022

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

I have used this several times for touch-up scratches on some candlesticks and on an oil painting that had a gold frame that was really in bad shape.  When I go to a thrift shop, I don't worry about buying something I love even though it may have some scratches or nics. This stuff is very easy to use and you see the results right away which I like. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,766
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

@Oznell 

 

I love Rub 'N Buff! 

I just recently got 2 new ones, the "ruby" and the "patina."  These colors are new to me. I want to use the patina (I love the look of copper patina) on a scroll mirror (similar to this picture and in the picture they used the patina R+B.

 

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Not sure what I'll do with the "ruby" yet but I love it.

 

 

image.png

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals" -Immanuel Kant

"Once you have had a wonderful Dog, a life without one, is a life diminished"-Dean Koontz
Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,462
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

[ Edited ]

@Oznell  That is a wonderful product. I started using it back in the 70s on a lot of craft projects. I only remember using it on wood. I think that I may still have some, I liked the antique gold.

            I didn't even know if it was still being made.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,766
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

[ Edited ]

@ThinkingOutLoud 


@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:

Have you seen or do you know if this would work on baskets? I have one that is lighter than I want for where it is but it won't take stain and I don't want to use paint (I prefer to see the texture).

 

 


I would think you could use it on a basket. What do you think @Oznell ?  

I mean I've even seen where people have used it on their shoes online. 

 

 

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals" -Immanuel Kant

"Once you have had a wonderful Dog, a life without one, is a life diminished"-Dean Koontz
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,162
Registered: ‎09-12-2010

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

Rub N' Buff is a great product and has been around for ages. I used it back in the early and mid 80s. What I liked about it is that you control the final color because you can just keep adding more....each application gives the piece a bit more color and pizzazz. Can easily be found at any craft store.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,766
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: RUB 'N BUFF REALLY WORKS ON DECOR

[ Edited ]

@Oznell 

 

Oh, also I love your use of it to better incorporate your raw wood frames!

I love that paris watercolor you showed too!

 

 

 

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals" -Immanuel Kant

"Once you have had a wonderful Dog, a life without one, is a life diminished"-Dean Koontz