If you missed installment number one of Mr. Chippy you can read about me rescuing my mother's vintage enamel topped table. He wasn't being held hostage or anything, he had just been a little mistreated and neglected.
He now resides happily at my house.
This is what he started as
and what he looks like now.
I solved the excessive chippiness and rust problem by unscrewing the enamel top and turning it around 180 degrees.
I know that doesn't really solve the problem, but it is a heck of a lot less noticeable now, since I can put the bad spot against a wall.
Using soap and water and spray cleaners really didn't even TOUCH the embedded black stuff on the top, so I brought out my trusty Bar Keepers Friend and it got the majority of the 100 years of dirt off of it.
If you've never used it, Bar Keepers Friend is like Comet Cleanser except not gritty and it doesn't scratch. I originally bought it to keep my fancy cookware looking shiny, but I am finding more and more places to use it.
This is one of my favorite kitchen towels, although I never actually use it for dishes. Don't we all have just-for-look towels?
It's not just me is it?
One of my favorite mixing bowls with my vintage egg beater.
You didn't think I was actually mixing something up in here, did you? Nope, just for looks.
I cleaned the paint off the original handle with a wire brush on my husband's bench grinder. It's that machine with all the stiff twirling metal wires that looks like it could take your fingers off if you slipped.
And the paint sort of fell off the label while I was taking it off the table. Sort of like. magic. Then I just polished it up with the Bar Keepers Friend.
The color used was Benjamin Moore's Azores, but mixed at Home Depot in their semi-gloss Behr paint. I have nothing against Benjamin Moore paint, I just happened to be at Home Depot that day.
Some of my photos make it look a little like 1980's country blue, but it is actually a turquoise/blue/green/gray color.
One more look at Mr. Chippy's before and after.
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Meagan B.
HOLY COW!! I just restored this SAME table...it must be the great minds theory because your table looks amazing!
Anonymous
I use one of these as sort of a desk and have been staring at it for years wondering how to restore it. You gave me some GREAT ideas. Thanks!
Stacey Gibbon
Very pretty! You did good job on it!
[email protected]
We had this table when I was a child (I'm 68 now) and when my mother passed away I moved this table to my new place. It had been in the basement for years. When I was having repairs done on my home the workers used it to set things on under the carport but decided to "protect" it they put a rubber backed rug on top of it. After all was said and done it got wet and dried over and over. Now there is the backing stuck to the top of it and I can't get it off. I was going to take it to car painting shop to have them fill a large chipped area (about 3") and then sand and spray it. Need to refinish but I don't know if that is the place to have it done. Any recommendations for a better place?
Pam Kessler
You know, I think that would be a good place to get it done. I've never used a car shop before, but I know a lot of people swear by them for repainting the vintage patio furniture. Certainly worth asking their opinion. Too bad about the the rug getting stuck to it 🙁
Nan
Goo Gone? Commercial *Orange stuff* usually melts off adhesive but test an area first!!
last minute lynn
What a brilliant idea to turn the top around. The table looks terrific!
Gayle Chestnut
You have a Sno White table. Sno White tables were produced between around 1900 - 1908. It is actually worth more before refinishing it, even though I love the new look. I also have a Sno White table, found along the side of the road! I have debated about painting ours. The enamel on ours is in very good condition, the paint just a little flaky.
Gayle Chestnut
You have a Sno White table. Sno White tables were produced between around 1900 - 1908. It is actually worth more before refinishing it, even though I love the new look. I also have a Sno White table, found along the side of the road! I have debated about painting ours. The enamel on ours is in very good condition, the paint just a little flaky.
Lynn
Next time you want to take paint off old metal just boil it in white vinegar. It will fall right off. A lot less work and destruction of the old metal.
June
Thank u for clarifying cleaning the enamel..I just refinished a table identical to yours and need to embark on the top now.
Pam
Pam,
Thank you for the color idea! I have a table very similar and I couldn't think what to do. I want it to be the island in my French Country style kitchen. I love the color! I also want to add baskets or shelving underneath or a shelf and wheels. I'm also thinking on making it a little taller. Tomorrow I am going to Lowe's and/or Home Depot. Let me know if you have any ideas on this. I'm a few years late reading this, but it is relevant to me! Thanks, Pam
Joyce Gale
I just got one of those tables out of my mother’s basement that had been there for 50 years! Thank you for the idea, I’m gonna redo it soon!!
Trish Hoff
Wow it looks so good now! I’ve passed enamel tops because I didn’t know how to clean them up. Love the color it looks brand new.
Tabitha Peace
Hello. The table is beautiful. I have a question. I have been told by a lady who says she grew up in Ohio where she saw many enamel top tables but never one with wooden legs. And she has been an antique dealer for mant years and hasn't seen any with wooden legs that was original. She says the tables with wooden legs and without the extendable leaves have been redone. I keep finding both styles when I Google enamel top tables. So is the wood legs original or not??
Lauralee
I hope I can post a picture of my grandma’s baking table my sister has. The legs are connected to the rest of the sodden body which also has the metal tag on it. I do t see a way to post a pic sadly.
Jill. Cole
Hi
I have two enamel top tables that were imported into Australia along with a Hoosier cabinet and two matching Hoosier storage cupboards. They were imported from Ohio in the 1920’s and the Hoosier centre cabinet has the original import sticker. The only thing missing is the mincer.
Both tables have the original straight wooden legs.
Hoosier cabinets are rare in Australia. I love them and they are much admired.
Judi Cooper
I have a Hoosier table that I made in an island, it has a red strip on the metal top that extends, how can I paint that stripe Black? I have tried to tape the curved edges but it does not work! Is there anyone I could have do it for me?
Nan
My friend had a car shop. He REpainted some metal filing cabinets with auto paint. Beautiful. There is also pin striping tape for cars which might be more flexible. Good Luck!
Stephanie Gradler
I have a porcelain top kitchen table with wooden legs made by Muchler Brothers of Napanee, Indiana. I believe the legs are original as I have seen many with identical legs. Perhaps it’s a regional thing. And just for the record, I am
an antique dealer in Pennsylvania.