Have you ever come across the perfect pieces of hardware that’s completely the wrong color??  I’m going to show you something today that will blow your mind if you haven’t seen it before.  It’s an easy way to update knobs, pulls, door knobs, pretty much anything you want a fresh metallic finish on.  

This post contains affiliate links to help you find the products I’m using.  These links are for your convenience,but I do make a small commission if you purchase from them.  To see my full disclosure policy, click here. 

So I’m working on this pair of end tables (more on those in the next post), they desperately needed some new hardware.  I searched my stash and came up with these round ring pulls.  They have lots of character and texture already, but were also this odd yellowish color that would NOT go with my white tables.  Enter Rub N Buff.  

Rub n Buff is a wax metallic finish that comes in several colors – all you do is literally RUB it on, and BUFF it off.  It dries really quickly and is easy to work with.  

I chose to layer three different colors for these pulls, Ebony, Antique Gold (this color is my favorite!), and Antique White. I just kept adding layers until I achieved the color I wanted. 

Wait until you see how well it matches the tables.

My favorite way to apply Rub n Buff is with a q-tip. I just squirt a little wax on a scrap piece of paper, dip the q-tip into it and rub it on my surface. 

Note: if you prefer to use your fingers, wear gloves – this stuff is hard to get off!! The saying “wax sticks to everything, but nothing sticks to wax” is true in this case.

These pulls had a lot of texture and detail already so I just highlighted it even more by going over it with the Ebony Rub n Buff.  See what a difference it makes already?  This was about 15 seconds worth of work.  

Next I took a little bit of the Antique Gold Rub n Buff for a bit of metallic shine.  It toned down the black a bit.  

Lastly I added a bit of the Antique White Rub n Buff.  It mutes the colors a bit and highlights some spots too.  The wax dries very quickly so work fast, but also so you can layer color after color immediately.  If you ever get too much Rub n Buff – or get it somewhere you don’t want it – it comes off with Mineral Spirits.  

Once you are happy with your look, I just buffed the hardware with a rag to remove any excess and shine them up! 

If you wanted to use this method on a surface that will get lots of action (kitchen hardware, door knobs, etc.) I’d recommend sealing the wax with a coat of spray on clear poly acrylic.  That will just give an extra layer of protection for your beautiful new finish.  

Now, check out these tables – doesn’t the hardware go perfectly??

Stay tuned for the next post, it’ll be all about these tables and how I refinished them! 

Until next time, 

Jenni