The team over at Style North are the masterminds behind some of the most inexpensive, yet luxurious makeovers we've seen in awhile. Although we usually pride ourselves on doing things on the cheap with great results, we've never been into metal restoration, or in this case, deconstruction. Click through the jump to see how this brass lamp (usually destined for spray paint in our book) was revived using a product that's inexpensive and found in the automotive department!
Blissful Blue Magic Makeovers From Style North
Style North is a great place for anyone with great taste and limited means. They strive to be your go-to source for terrific deals and fabulous finds, connecting Canadian readers with decorating resources. Even if you aren't Canadian, there are still great makeovers and transformations to be had without a sign of milk in a bag or Mounties anywhere.
After reading their post on the restoration of this lamp, a whole new world of furniture and home decor was shown to us. The product used to create the transformation is Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream. It is usually used on the garage on your cars and bikes, but in this case, it was used in combination with a little elbow grease and steel wool.
It even worked for this table!
Style North tells us how to see if "the electroplated stripping method" will work for your next thrift store/auction find.
How can you tell if a piece is plated? If it’s vintage (brass plate was popular in the 1970s so the era will be a clue) the plate will likely be worn or pocked revealing some “silver” underneath. If the item is newer it will have a shiny “gold” color—solid brass is typically heavier and burnished with some degree of patina.
We tracked down the Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream on Amazon, although now that we know what to look for, we're betting we can find it somewhere locally instead. Check the automotive sections of your big box stores or head out to an auto parts store and we're sure you'll have some luck!
Thanks Style North for the terrific transformations and great inexpensive tips to making our thrifting finds fabulous!
Photos courtesy of Style North.
Comments (21)
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Nice! I wouldn't have thought to refinish it like that...
view Marie Provence's profile
hey man, the milk only comes in bags out in ontario.
view daniny's profile
And Quebec. The milk in bags, that is.
view heymomo's profile
Sarahrae, thanks so much for the props, we really appreciate it! The best piece we ever revived with Blue Magic is our coffee table, which can be seen in this post: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/about/
The base was badly pitted brass plate when we found it but underneath it was steel, glorious steel. We love Blue Magic!
view ChrisToronto's profile
B. Moore has a black paint with flecks of metal in it. I have to constantly stir the paint to keep the particles in suspension. When it's dry, it looks like wrought iron. It can fool if the object is not picked up. I used it on an aluminum arbor, and everyone has been fooled so far. It is important to use a product first that removes the surface shine on aluminum, prime, then paint. My next project is to try it on brass.
view Team Decor's profile
Who would have guessed that lovely lamp was hiding under that brass?
view LilyC's profile
That lamp is insanely beautiful now. Seriously amazingly, beautiful. I hope I remember this stuff.
view Curtis's profile
you mean milk in bags isn't everywhere? i thought it was totally common and have never thought anything of it. hm, who knew...
great makeover - i'm definitely going to keep this in mind. an alternative to spray paint...
view kiwi's profile
Looks great, however I bet that metal polish is not very good for the environment...
view Hinke's profile
Amazing how a finish can make something cool or not
view Expat Decorator's profile
that lamp looks fantastic, and I have 3 brass lamps in need of new life. Thanks for the tip, never heard of this stuff before.
view sassydo's profile
This looks so good. I'm stunned that people can't spare anything old from taking spraypaint without a solid demonstration. It's not always the best solution, good to have more and better ideas.
view K T G's profile
Hinke, no doubt you're right but Mike (who stripped the lamp) is very badly affected by noxious fumes and he doesn't have any problem working with Blue Magic so I'm thinking it's not as bad as some chemical compounds.
view ChrisToronto's profile
milk comes in bags?
view serrakat's profile
Love the after look! What a change! I will definitely be trying this soon.
http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com
view jessimarie33's profile
Nope, brass is better than chrome any day.
view Nesagwa's profile
Milk doesn't come in a bag in the US?
pitty
view Hollie's profile
I initially thought that was chrome spray paint. What a great transformation!
P.S. Some places in Wisconsin sell milk in bags, so I'm sure other states have it, too...
view Miss*Lisa's profile
Did somebody say something about milk bags?
view john m's profile
I *never* would have seen the potential in that lamp. Bravo!
view luckypeach's profile
I drink soy milk out of a carton, but are you seriously telling me that bagged milk is not an essential part of American youth? You guys are missing out.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~husky66/Milk/steps/
view estydesign's profile