Slaying the rusty beast...

Mal's pre-school teacher said she had been looking for a second sign-in desk for her class for a while now.

I told her I would keep an eye out for one...and I found one just a few weeks ago.

Here's where I first saw it...amongst photos of an upcoming estate sale.

I chose the best looking one (seriously) and decided that it was time to try to tackle something I had never tackled before...RUST. I've been watching American Restoration and they've inspired me to try and be a rust-removing bad*ss. What the heck right? The desk cost me $2.50...no better time to give it a shot.

I knocked off the gnarliest patches of rust with a wire brush, followed by a high grit pad on the power sander (it took about 4) and followed that with a low grit pad to smooth it out. It took a lot more elbow grease than I thought it would, but it's amazing to see that shiny metal underneath!

Stained writing surface was a bit of a pain too...

Oh yeah...then there was this warped loveliness.

Yes, the Hubby thought I was out of my ever-loving mind.

I had no doubt I was.

Started with LOTS of wood glue and clamps.

Mistake I made: after gluing, clamping, and drying overnight, I removed the clips. Glue was dry and it was sticking together fantabulously...UNTIL I tried to use the power sander to smooth down the glue.

Don't do that unless you are just dying to do the clamping, glue-all-over-the-dang-place thing again.

Hand-sanding it smooth does the job just fine.

A bit of wood putty (and sanding) where needed...

I was starting to have hope : )

Had to glue, clamp, and sand parts of the seat also...and look at that pretty, shiny metal : )

Don't know if I needed to do this or not (because I sanded 98% of the rust off), but I gave the metal portion a light coat of brown Krylon Rust Tough. Better safe than sorry.

 
 
 

The next day, it got a coat of Krylon Primer in white.

We're nearing the home stretch : )

Taping off.

I do NOT love this part.

Mal picked out the paint colors...and I kind of love them : )

I would have used a semi-gloss or eggshell if they were available, but I still adore it.

Never thought the metal would look this good!

I do believe I kicked rust's back side : )

(like the flower? Mal said that it "needed a little something". like the *after* photos? neither do I. wrong time of day to take them...it's MUCH more snazzy in person...ugh.)

                        I don't think I've ever been this proud of a finished project. I learned a lot.
                                                        I love it...and I LOVED doing it.

      I've done plenty of furniture re-dos, and I've loved (almost) every one.

                           I really want to keep on doing projects like this (furniture revamps, etc.).


Dear Hubby,
I know the word *project* is worse than the *f* word to your ears, but I LOVE furniture projects.
LOVE them.
They make me insanely happy. And I think I've gotten kind of good at them. I want to do more.
I'm sorry. Please still like me.
Love, Dianna


(p.s. I'm thinking about getting a patent for Krylon scented body spray....oh...too much?... nevermind...)

Mallory's teacher loved it and said it was the best teacher gift she had ever received. Her face said so much too, and let me tell you, it did my heart good.

(The kiddos seemed to really like it too ; )

Could I BE any happier?

Nope : )

That desk will be sat on by many little tushies. Every day the little cuties will sit in that desk outside of the classroom to print their names and sign in for the day. The first day they will be nervous and excited, the last day they will be worried and sad. All of the days in-between will be filled with fun, laughter, and learning.

I love knowing that they will start each day, sitting right there...

Tomorrow Mallory graduates pre-school.

Waterproof mascara? Ha! I laugh at you.