Over the weekend, I had worked on a little project: De-rusting a $5 thrift store chair, I found in my travels last week. Modern in its' design, and priced just right... I could NOT have passed it up. Although it was slightly rusted, and the seat, back & arms not only had signs of wear, but damaging scratches, I went for it.
found while thrifting last week
worked on in garage
Sunday afternoon, I brought the chair out to the garage... along with lining up every substance I thought could magically make the rust disappear. Thankfully, on my first try, good ole CLR did the trick! I used rubber gloves, and a Scotchbrite sponge....
chrome before
chrome after
I soaked the yellow sponge with the CLR, rubbed over the affected area, and followed back over it with the abrasive side of the sponge. With a little elbow grease (and a neighbor in the distance blaring some obnoxious music) I was able to bring back its' shine!
tah-daaa!
For the leather seat, I used a dab of black shoe polish on damaged areas, and went back over the entire seat with cloth of some leather treatment... worked like a charm!
I was so thrilled... I brought out two more chairs, (also thrift store finds at $15 for the pair) and got to work. Within an hour, I had 3 fabulous finds sparkling like new!
What DIY are you roaring into March with?
or are ya too poop from it to tell?
I'm #185 at the blog party going on at
Stop by and check out the other DIY's and makeovers!!
Thanks for the tutorial. I bought a pair of similar chairs only bar stool height and with white leather and they have the same rust thing happening on the chrome. I'm so excited to try the CLR on them because they will truly rock afterwards if they come out as great as yours!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS for the feedback La Dolfina!!
ReplyDeleteGlad it helped and looking forward to seeing your fab finds before & after the CLR!!
:D Lynda
fab! Nothing like bringing a find back to it's former glory! I am just finishing up the Big Butt chair, then have a credenza to paint...or not ;)
ReplyDeleteI like you big butt - CHAIR...
ReplyDeleteand adore the helper!
I'm working my way up to detail painting on our buffet... as well as painting the inside of the front door... <3
Thanks for stopping by Linda!
:D Lynda
Always wondered if this was possible. Great outcome!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a difference, it really came out lovely! At the risk of sounding like a total non-diy'er, what is CLR?
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy! Anny - CLR is a rust removing liquid product - Sorry I didn't take a pic of the bottle - this was one of my first DIY posted projects :)
ReplyDelete"Original CLR, the only patented lime and rust remover on the market, has been the favorite cleaning product of millions of customers for nearly 20 years."
The product is available online - at http://bit.ly/bbOwwE - or in the grocery store.
:D Lynda