Flea markets, yard sales, and antique shops can yield some fantastic finds at dirt-cheap prices. With a little know-how, you can completely furnish your home with the unique things you can find at these discount dealers. Though, you may not see the treasure hidden beneath the dingy paint job or rusted exterior. At first. We're going to show you how to refinish wood, metal, wicker, glass, and just about every other type of flea market find.
Wood - The wood furniture that you'll find at most antique shops is typically sturdier than the new models sold in stores. However, you will need to refinish wood surfaces to make them presentable. Here's what you'll need to do:
1. Before you can refinish wood furniture, remove any hardware and set aside.
2. Wash the surface down with tsp cleaner to remove grease and grime.
3. Remove old paint or stain with a paint scraper and 220-grit sandpaper.
4. Apply a primer to ensure the new paint or stain will stick.
5. Repaint or stain the color of your choice.
6. Use a foam brush to cover with polyurethane for a glossy shine.
Wicker - When it's new, wicker furniture is pretty darn expensive. That's why it makes such an awesome flea market find! As long as it's structurally secure, it really doesn't matter what it looks like when you find it because it's very easy to refinish. Find out How to Paint Wicker Furniture.
Metal - Any metal flea market find is going to be simple to fix-up. Metal shelves, metal patio furniture, metal mirrors, metal picture frames, and so on, can be quickly refinished. Here's how:
1. Scrub the surface with a wire brush and a mixture of warm water and vinegar. This will remove rust, dirt, and any loose paint.
2. Coat the surface with a spray primer, such as Rustoleum Clean Metal Primer. This product not only protects against rust, but will ensure a long-lasting paint job, as well.
3. Paint with a spray paint in the color of your choice.
Plastic - Plastic outdoor tables and chairs can be found at unbelievable low prices at yard sales, oftentimes costing less than $ 1.00 a piece! Don't pass them by because it's easy to fix up flea market finds, such as these. Here's how to refinish them:
1. Wash with warm water and vinegar to remove mold, mildew, and dust.
2. Spray paint with a single-step product, such as Krylon Fusion for Plastic. This eliminates the need to sand or prime the surface. It's available in a variety of colors and takes just one hour to dry.
Glass - Clear glass vases aren't much to look at, but they can be purchased a ridiculously low prices, and then transformed into something spectacular! That goes for glass tabletops, glass picture frames, and many other flea market finds, too. Wash the surface down and dry with a clean rag. Then, try any of these simple methods to refinish it:
1. Mirror finish - Krylon's Looking Glass Finish Spray Paint turns a clear glass finish into one that resembles a mirror. Easy to use and dries in just one hour!
2. Frosted glass - Give glass a frosted look with Krylon's Frosted Glass Finish Spray Paint. Spray the entire surface, or use a stencil and spray around it for a unique touch. This is a great way to dress up glass cabinet doors or a glass tabletop.
Laminate - Outdated laminate cabinets or countertops are always a great discovery, although they may look unfixable at first sight. The truth is, they're not that difficult to refinish and they make a great addition in a laundry room, garage, or garden shed. Learn How to Paint Over Laminate Cabinets and How to Paint Over Laminate Countertops to find out how to fix up these flea market finds.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
DIY Faux Painting: Aged Crackle Finish
Source:
Personal knowledge
