DIY! Trash to Treasure Party Cart Makeover

I saw this beauty and it was love at first sight.

It was still in the back room of the thrift store when I saw it.
I asked my "friend" at the store if I could go look
- she said yes...I said "I'll take it!"

I had to have it...
even if it was $25.00 - not a bargain for sure.
This was the perfect piece for  a fabulous #makeover!

And so it sat for 6 months
(Oh yeah I am on top of things here!).

Until I turned it into a PARTY CART!

SUPPLIES

• Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Primer, White
• Krylon Indoor/Outdoor, Dover White
• Purdy - 6 in 1 Painters Tool
• Rockler, Clear Deft Wood Finish
• Gorilla Glue
• Wood Putty
• DecoArt Americana Acrylic Dove Gray
• DecoArt Glazing Medium
• DecoArt Chalkboard Pain

 

 

TOOLS

• Screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Paper plate or something for mixing paint
• Paint brush
• Drop cloth or newspaper to protect work area.
• Towels and water for cleaning the cart you left outside for 6 months!

DIY IT!

• Clean cart
• I used the Purdy 6 in 1 Painters Tool to scrape off the stickers and gunk.
• Repair cart: The cart was more abused that I realized - one leg was held together by screws. I removed the screws, and glued the leg together with Gorilla Glue. Let dry.

• Once dry, I realized there were still some cracks, so I added some wood putty to fill those in. Let dry. Sand.
• CONFESSION: I have only ever spray painted one piece of furniture (my son's locker) I was unsure of how I would do...I learned quickly - go slow with smooth motions and don't get anxious....I had a lot of drips from my own heavy spraying...BUT I got that under control and WOW so fast and easy!
• I spray a coat of Krylon Primer and then more blemishes in this beauty of a cart appeared...more Gorilla Glue...more wood putty...more sanding...ta-da!
• I sprayed a second coat and let dry.

• NOW, my intention was to NOT make this distressed, but as I painted, The beautiful finish of the Dover White was marred by the numerous nicks and damage to the cart. It was not the look I was going for - polished and sleek and dinged up (that will happen soon enough).

• Time for Paint.

• NOTE: I had decided that my top was going to be chalkboard so I took no care to paint the top nicely with the Krylon. I did prime it with the Krylon Primer.

• I LOVE Kylon's Dover White (I have used it on many projects), so I continued to paint the cart with it and the color was spot on and application super-duper easy.
• After drying I knew what had to be done...distress it. The cart was begging for it - it was the only way to save the cart and camouflage the damage. So on this gorgeous base of paint, I sanded the legs and a few other areas to show the wear - I especially hit the places where the damage was already done.
• Then I glazed the entire cart with a mixture of DecoArt's Dove Gray American Acrylic and Glazing Medium. I just mixed the two together and used a rag to wipe on and wipe off. It gave a subtle glazed, while letting the original color shine through.

• Once dry, I spray the entire cart with the Deft Clear Wood Finish Sealer from Rockler. I sprayed now - before painting my top with the chalkboard paint because I did not want the chalkboard to be "sealed" - it was just easier.

• Once dry, paint the top with chalkboard paint - 2 coats according to bottle directions. Let dry. Prime and get writing!

The cart needs new casters...

I thought I had some but I did not...
I am sure Rockler has something I can use!

I thought this is a fun way to serve hors d'oeuvres or drinks

or just a pretty little cart to sit my a chair.

Fun and functional!

Smile and enjoy a beverage of your choice.

I choose the Arancello cocktail from my friend at Fudge Ripple.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Fudge Ripple while I was away,
and she brought me a coveted bottle of HER Arancello!

After a very long drive home I tweeted (oops I meant) Facebooked I need a margarita and she suggested this cocktail. YUM! I'll have another tomorrow, thank you!

Never give up on a fun piece of furniture!
Saving this beauty was relatively easy...
Clean it!
Repair it!

DISCLOSURE: Some items/products have been received as part of my affiliation with THE DIY CLUB