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[Oznell]

Have often wondered if this little stuff in a tube was as easy and effective as people say--  and for what it's worth, my verdict is yes!

It's a kind of wax, but with permanent metallic pigment in it, so once it hardens, it's virtually permanently on the surface, coloring it indefinitely!

Here are a couple of examples from online, of items that have been treated with it:

My project?   I have one of those inexpensive knock-offs of the classic French florist's pail or bucket, so good for displaying flowers in reckless abundance.  I think I got mine at Joann's, years ago.  It has that silvery, galvanized "zinc" look, and the problem was that the trim on it had a fake, copper finish-- looked like copper paint.

Mine is similar to this one, but my bucket is oval.  And on mine, the entire handle, the wood part and the wires, and the top rim and the metal label on the front were all painted in a rather garish "copper" finish:

So I ordered a three pack of "Rub'N Buff" from Amazon, in three of the colors-- on my project, I've used  "Antique Gold".

You squeeze a teeny, TINY bit of the Rub'N Buff out, and you can spread it on, with preferably a gloved finger, or a brush. You rub it around, it hardens fast, and you later buff it to a soft shine. 

I like the control you get with a finger, but also used a small paintbrush.  I used painter's tape only at the narrow rim at the top, to keep from coloring "outside the lines".   But that's b/c it's just a narrow rim.  For many applications, you wouldn't even need tape.

People seem to most often use it to give a rich gold color to picture frames, but there are so many uses besides gilding old frames.  I think the pewter color, the "patina" (verdigris) and even the ebony would be fun to use.

Online, someone even showed some little ballet flats they had revitalized--  it works on leather:

The colors:

I haven't even quite finished with my project, but am so pleased with the soft "antique gold" against the galvanized silvery metal of my bucket.  Think it would look so great in the fall, stuffed with tall, fuzzy brown cattails!

Anyway, if interested, there are lots of online videos that demonstrate this simple process.  If someone as klutzy as I am can manage, anyone can.  

[DecorDiva]

@Oznell   -  Thanks for the post.  I'd forgotten about this.  I used some years ago.  It really is easy to do.  This gives me an idea to change the color of some of Valerie's buffet lamps.

[grandma petes]

I've never heard of this product before....but what a great idea. Will definitely be checking it out. Thanks for posting.

[Citrine1]

I was not aware of this product; so glad I opened this thread!  I'm going to look around the house and plan some projects!

[phoenixbrd]

Thanks @Oznell .  I can think of situations where I wished there was a product like this.  I didn't know Rub N Buff existed.....appreciate your post.

[wagirl]

@Oznell --oh man, this is genius!!! I love the look and it sounds so easy!! Have alot of things in storage that need a little love! Please show us your work when you are done.

I have a few questions---- what  did you use to buff  it ? A cloth, a hard/ soft brush? Wonder if an old tooth brush would work? I think I will order a kit just to have until I get my stuff out. I LOVE the  shoes too!!  I have many wooden frames that need some love

good job!!!. 

[aroc3435]

@Oznell   This sounds like a great product.  I have some old frames that need some love.  I also can see that it could have lots of other uses.

As always, you are so clever.  Thanks for sharing.

aroc3435

Washington, DC

[Mom2Dogs]

@Oznell    I have used this products many times, I really like it!  

I wonder if I could use it on my door handle for the front door?  It does not get used a lot but was installed YEARS ago... I was going to paint the hardware, but now I wonder if this would work.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Oznell]

Hey, nice to see that there is veteran "Rub'N Buff experience" among our group (and that you've been pleased with it), plus newcomers to this really nifty little product!

I've also looked around for other things around here that might benefit, and found an old glass mosaic hurricane of Valerie's.  It's in a champagne color, but they used a dark sort of pewter colored "grout" between the little mosaics.  Well, at the rim only, this grout has started to snap off, in sections, leaving the bare glass at the top exposed.

So, voila!  I took the remaining, crumbling grout off this rim, and did a little line of "Antique Gold" all the way around, just finishing off the edge.

One thing--  I've noticed if I squeeze out a little too much at one time, it can be a little "grainy" to smooth out.  So I'm conservative, but have noticed some graininess in a few places with the finished product.  So I will buff that out later and re-do, I think.

Oh, that reminds me of your question, @wagirl !   I used a very soft, old clean washcloth to buff, after the product has had a chance to set-up and harden.  I would go with any soft cloth, rather than anything abrasive.  You are just going to gently bring up the inherent sheen that it has.  Hope you'll let us know about your projects!

[PamfromCT]

@Oznell, Thank you so much for this info!  I am so excited, as there are times I need something like this.  In the past, I have used Jo Sonja’s tube paint found usually in art stores.  But this product seems so much better.

We have a few outside signs that have touches of gold, and I have used Jo Sonja for touchups.  Now I can think of other things I can use some of these colors for.  Even a pair of bronze shoes with scraped toes!  Just wait until the holiday decorations come out.