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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Edited March 2024 - I've recently rescued another porcelain enamel kitchen table and combined it with an iconic vintage piece - you can see that transformation HERE. Sometimes when both pieces are heavily damaged it's OK to put them together and make something new!
Leah
Beautiful! I have one similar to this sitting in my garage waiting for some TLC. However, mine has been painted white on top, but quite chipped paint. From what I can tell so far the porcelain top is not chipped. Hope I find that so after complete paint removal.
Donnie
What a lovely, nostalgic addition to your kitchen. Great job.
La Vie Quotidienne
This looks super and what I like is that you retained just enought of the old patina to keep it interesting. You were very cleaver to think of turning it around.(-: Such a nice piece.
Donna@Conghaile Cottage
LOVE your table! I like the signs of age spots. and it's a PERFECT color! Magic Erasers work good too... I LOVE this size table and they are ALWAYS following me home! I can never seem to have enough little tables...Hmmmm, maybe it's a place for all the dishes that follow me home!
Thank you for sharing!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Hugs,
Donna
Olive Cooper
Oh Pam , you kept the integrity of the table and I love it and the label looks so good. ♥O
Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack
LOVE it! Great idea to turn the top. I'll have to remember Bar Keepers Friend. Great color too! Awesome makeover! xx
Dan
Wow! It looks wonderful! What a difference! You did a fantastic job!
~Dan~
AntiqueChase
Wow, it looks new!! WOnderful job!
Marigene
Wow, what a difference...I swear Bar Keepers Friend can clean anything. Your table really looks great now.
Heather
Oh, Pam, you are so smart and talented! That was such a great idea to rotate the top! I also love the color you chose.
abby jenkins
Brilliant! At first I was like...whoa..did she re-enamel that baby?! How clever to just turn the top around! I am loving all of it, especially that towel with the begging pups... and of course you are not alone with the for-show-only towels, I couldn't bare to wash the color out of some of those vintage treasures... and they look great when I am propping a vintage set or cookbook!
Gail @ Faithfulness Farm
Pam...your makeover is FABULOUS...I so am coveting your gorgeous table 🙂
Blessings!
Gail
Tricia - A Rosy Note
Wow, what a great makeover...your table looks wonderful Pam! Good idea turning the top around. Cute towel too 🙂
I just love Bar Keepers Friend, that stuff is amazing. I used it at my cabin to get the rusty water stains out of the tub...worked like a charm.
Sherry@Back2Vintage
Wow, Pam! I am so impressed with the table!!! The difference from before to after is amazing!!! Love the kitchen towel, too...It's not just you, I have "just for company" towels, too!!!
Tete
Pam- what a wonderful transformation! You did a great job on saving this old girl. Love turning the top around. Love your yellow bowl...my favorite color!
Hugs- Tete
Ann@A Sentimental Life
How wonderful! You did a great job and now you are enjoying everyday! I love towels too...