How to Rub ‘n Buff – Turn Anything into Beautiful Brass

A few years ago, brass was difficult to come by, especially at an affordable price. I have no fear of spray paint, but it’s not always feasible, i.e.: some objects like curtain rods & picture frames with permanent glass cannot easily be sprayed. A friend of mine, Lori, introduced me to Rub ‘n Buff. I have been turning anything & everything into brass since. My first choice is always to purchase true brass, but when it’s not available, this is the next best option – & it’s easy!

Chris & I visited Rocheport, Missouri in June. It’s a small town nestled along the Missouri River just outside of Columbia, Missouri where Chris & I both attended college at Mizzou. It’s one of my favorite places to shop! The boutiques there are full of antiques & well select curiosities like dried hydrangea & pineapples & things like these gorgeous butterflies. Can you believe I purchased them for just $9 each? It seemed so inexpensive for such one of a kind art. They came in little black frames. If you’ve been following, you may have noticed that’s opposite of my color palette. Fortunately, you can turn anything into beautiful brass. I shared an image on Instagram & couldn’t believe the response. At the request of fabulous food blogger, Gimme Some Oven, I’m sharing the simple tutorial today! I’m always inspired by you, so if there’s something you’d like to learn more about, let me know & it may be my next post!

Supplies:

washi or painters tape

latex gloves (to keep your hands clean)

Rub ‘n Buff

white cloth or Viva paper towels {because they’re soft, thick & don’t tend to lose their fibers}

1. Tape your glass, if necessary
2. With gloves on, use a dot of rub ‘n buff at a time & work onto the picture frame. A little goes a long way.
3. Immediately buff it off in rough areas with a soft cloth. See photo below for an example before buffing.
4. Allow to dry & remove your tape.

I’ve talked about this process a few years ago when I wanted Pottery Barn Gilded Frames in sizes they didn’t carry.

We’re making small strides in our new home, but as you can see, there’s still a lot to do, like steaming drapes. I find creating art far more fun!

Here’s the easy to pin strip:

I’d love to hear you plan to use this tutorial!

Julie