DIY Rustic Wood & Metal Centerpiece

* This blog post is brought to you by 3-IN-ONE_®. All home improvement tips and opinions about the product are my own. You can click here for my full sponsorship disclosure policy.

Back in the day the name “DIY Huntress” was coined as a nickname for my bargain-hunting upcycling ways. And, while I love creating things from scratch on most days, I can’t help but get really excited when a fun project crosses my path at a local antique shop that can use some TLC. Lucky for me, today was one of those days! I am so excited to go back to my roots and share a fun, rustic wood and metal centerpiece. Even better, I partnered up with my friends at 3-IN-ONE_® to show you how easy it can be to recreate with the right materials!

In addition to the fact that I love upcycling in general, it’s officially the summer season, which means you’re most likely attending an event that may need a centerpiece. Ready to be the coolest guest ever?  Make one of these (you’ll be grandma’s favorite grandkid in no time).

Here’s how you can turn something like this:

Into this:

What You’ll Need:

Tools
Miter Saw
Sandpaper
Clamps
Paper Towels/Shop Rags
Measuring Tape
Pencil

Materials
3-IN-ONE_® Fast Acting Penetrant
Liquid Adhesive
¼” Thick Poplar Hobby Board (I Used Two 1 x 4 x 48″ Boards)
Metal Tote Caddy (Link Is To Similar Caddy)

The Steps:

1. Because the piece I was upcycling was so rusty, I needed to enlist some major help. To start, I used 3-IN-ONE_® Fast-Acting Penetrant to loosen the bolts on the caddy, since they needed tightening, but were too rusty to move.

I’m also using 3-IN-ONE_® Fast-Acting Penetrant to remove rust. I added some to a rag and wiped down the entire surface of tote several times. For hard-to-remove spots, I let the penetrant soak for a couple of minutes before wiping away.

2. After removing as much rust as possible, I used sandpaper to remove whatever else was stuck on the unit. This also helped to prep the surface for liquid adhesive that will help attach the wood hobby board to the caddy in later steps.

3. After sanding down the unit, I used paper towels and one more round of 3-IN-ONE_® Fast-Acting Penetrant to remove any last remaining debris from the caddy and prevent future rust.

4. Once the piece was properly prepped, I measured how wide I needed to cut my poplar hobby boards.

5. I then cut the poplar hobby boards down to size.

6. Next, I used liquid adhesive to attach the hobby boards to the caddy. I made sure to clamp them down and allow them to dry for a couple of hours before removing the clamps.

7. After allowing time for the adhesive to cure, I removed the clamps and sanded down the wood hobby boards.

Once the sanding was complete, it was time to stage!

Sometimes antique finds just need a little bit of tender love and affection to help them stand out.

You can find 3-IN-ONE Fast-Acting Penetrant at most big box stores and hardware stores, including Walmart. To find it at a store near you or online click here.

Do you have a favorite antique project that you have upcycled proudly? If so, please share a link in the comments below or tag it to #diyhuntress or #diyhunted on Instagram or Facebook!

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