• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
House of Hawthornes
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Budget Decor
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Decorating
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
  • 🛒 Our Amazon Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » DIY And Crafts

    How To Update A Vintage Enamel Top Table

    Published by Pam Kessler | 380 words. · About 2 minutes to read this article. - 60 Comments

    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

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    and what he looks like now.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    I solved the excessive chippiness and rust problem by unscrewing the enamel top and turning it around 180 degrees.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    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.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    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.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    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.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    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?

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    One of my favorite mixing bowls with my vintage egg beater.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    You didn't think I was actually mixing something up in here, did you? Nope, just for looks.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    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.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    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.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)

    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.

    A DIY project with heart.  How I rescued and updated my mom's vintage enamel topped table.  It looked pretty grungy BEFORE, but the AFTER looks so much better :)


    Hopefully he'll last another few decades.

    « Vintage Enamel Top Table
    Fruit Basket Doorstop »
    10.0K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eileen @ Cottage Beach House

      February 27, 2011 at 9:20 pm

      I love what you did with the table. the paint looks great, right down to the little label sno white! Great little kitchen towel too.

      Reply
    2. LizlovesVintage

      February 27, 2011 at 9:29 pm

      Hi Pam,
      All I can say is WOW!!!! It looks new. I love the color you selected. I'm sure, it makes you feel good inside. Job well done my Friend!
      Thanks for all your sweet comments.
      xx Liz

      Reply
    3. Allison Shops

      February 27, 2011 at 9:35 pm

      Ditto Liz's Wow! Love the color. Turning the top solved a lot of problems alone. Great job!
      Dropping by from Met Monday, with a post on repurposed shelving.

      Allison
      Atticmag

      Reply
    4. NanaDiana

      February 27, 2011 at 9:39 pm

      Well, I don't know what happened to my post- it went poof! Anyway~ you did a beautiful job on the table. Love the color and you did a great job! Hugs-Diana

      Reply
    5. Dandelion and Daisy

      February 27, 2011 at 10:47 pm

      I love enamel topped tables. Our kitchen table is a vintage enamel top with a red design on the white. I've seen them cut down for coffee tables, too, which would be cool in a family room. Great that yours has the label. It's a beauty, so are your vintage accessories.

      Reply
    6. Linda

      February 28, 2011 at 12:19 am

      Wow, that table turned out so great, Pam! You did a great job on it, and it looks wonderful with your accessories!

      Reply
    7. nila1920

      February 28, 2011 at 1:46 am

      this is lovely! the color you chose is so fresh and airy! great job:D

      Reply
    8. April

      February 28, 2011 at 8:35 am

      great job! i never would have thought to turn the top around! that color is BEAUTIFUL!

      Reply
    9. Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes

      February 28, 2011 at 9:06 am

      Pam, great job on that table! I'll bet you could even try painting the rust spots with enamel paint to stop the rust from creeping. Brilliant idea to rotate the top!

      I love Barkeepers Friend, I use it all the time! If you happen to be in Williams Sonoma they have the giant economy size! My market doesn't carry that!

      I hope your husband liked the lobster mac & cheese! So nice of you to come back and tell me you made, I really appreciate that.

      Mary

      Reply
    10. ❀ JoAnne

      February 28, 2011 at 10:05 am

      Hi Pam - I love your table! I have been getting more and more into the farmhouse style and your table would fit right in, no to mention that it's blue - perfect! I use barkeepers friend also - it does work on many stubborn problems and it's inexpensive to boot! And don't be silly - of course I don't actually USE my favorite dishtowels. : ) I love to decorate with them!

      Reply
    11. Pamela Gordon

      February 28, 2011 at 1:33 pm

      I really love your 'new' table! What a clever idea to turn the top around too. The tea towel is so cute. I've never heard of that cleaner before but maybe it's not available in Canada. Great job!

      Reply
    12. Brenda Kula

      February 28, 2011 at 7:22 pm

      It turned out wonderful! Love the color! And who cares as long as you can't see it. We all do that, don't we?
      Brenda

      Reply
    13. michelle

      February 28, 2011 at 9:29 pm

      Pam that is beautiful! You did an amazing job cleaning it up and giving it new life! I love the color!

      Reply
    14. Robin

      February 28, 2011 at 11:28 pm

      Pam I was in love with your table from part one and perfectly happpy to admire it in it's dirty grubby state. BUT NOW - - I'm over. the. moon. in. LOVE. With. It! It's just so fabulous I have goosebumps. Very smart of you to turn the top around to use the good side - smart, smart, smart (I feel smarter just by stopping by, you see I think it's rubbing off on me a bit LOL)
      The color for the legs is perfect too of course. I just love it. Now if only you could clone it and then sell me one - now that would be the perfect situation. Sorry for the long post, and I promise not to stalk your table anymore but I just had to attemp to let you know how fabulous I thought your it is. Have a great night Pam!

      Reply
    15. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage

      March 01, 2011 at 3:56 pm

      Hi there~ This piece is so charming- I love it. Love the color , love the top- it is such a little sweetie! Thanks for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday! 🙂

      Reply
    16. awal.ny

      March 03, 2011 at 4:24 pm

      Mr. Chippy looks so much nicer with his new coat on. We use bar keepers friend to clean our vintage farm sink and it works wonders. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Reply
    17. Anonymous

      December 21, 2011 at 2:31 pm

      I own a resale shop and came across your post. I have two enameled top tables and appreciate your sharing your success on refinishing. The table looks great! I'm off to see if I can get my two tables to look as good as yours.

      Reply
    18. Sandy

      May 10, 2012 at 4:04 am

      Love the transformation! The towel is perfect for show on your table! I have 2 of these tables. One sits in my garden shed (it's in great condition) and I just bought another one that someone made a little fancier and plan to make it into a potting shed this summer. I really like your blog and am now followingn along. I've always loved my aunt and my mom's vintage things while growing up and am now slowiing collecting. I've always loved a good garage sale.

      Reply
    19. Maureen Alger

      November 28, 2012 at 4:52 pm

      So excited to see this table. When we bought our first house in 1979 the old owners left a table just like this behind. I used it in the basement for laundry. When we built a new house 3 years ago I insisted on bringing with me. (Boy am I glad!)My son who thought I was nuts to bring it with me just told me for my Christmas gift he was going to restore it for me!Can't wait to see how it turns out!!

      Reply
    20. Judy

      April 11, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      I just bought a table and the top was very bad, so I googled how to clean enamel and found your blog. Thank you so much, now my table top looks 100% better.

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Learn how to create a budget friendly home you'll love using repurposed thrift store finds, easy DIY & craft projects and seasonal gardening tips.

    Trending Content:

    • DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves
    • How To Grow Peonies - A Complete Guide
    • How To Paint A Front Door Without Removing It
    • Homemade Squirrel Repellent Recipe
    • DIY Earring Holder
    • How to Make A Penny Bowling Ball
    • Top 10 Thrift Store Shopping Tips
    • Blueberry Crostata Recipe
    • How To Make Winter Porch Pots
    • How To Grow Hydrangea In Pots

    About Me

    Pam Kessler | Author of House Of Hawthornes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Stories
    • Blog

    Let's Connect

    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

    Shop

    • Amazon Favorites
    • Shop The Look

    Please use appropriate safety precautions when attempting projects. All projects are attempted at the reader's own risk.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 House Of Hawthornes, LLC

    🍪 We use cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    I Accept Read Privacy Notice
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non Necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.