Changing out your door hardware is a great way to update your space, but it can get pricey. When I priced out doorknobs for the 26 doors in this house, I didn’t even think of the 78 hinges we would need to change out too – forget about the labor involved in removing each door, replacing the hinges and rehanging. Not exactly an easy job to bang out on my own! But seriously – this was really bugging me:
I was trying to psych myself up to change out all the hinges when I thought of my stash of Rub-n-Buff.
I have a box full of Rub-n-Buff from my frame shop days – it’s a staple for a framer to touch up the finish on molding. Have you noticed how R&B has caught fire big time in the DIY blogging world? I’ve seen it transform Carrie’s elephant, Karen’s coffee table, Andrea’s demilune table, Rene’s buffet hardware, Cassie’s faux antlers and mirror, and Carmel’s sconces and lamps to name just a few fabulous R&B applications.
Well, this use for Rub-n-Buff is no where near as exciting as those projects, but it did the trick! A little Silver Leaf R&B on the brass hinges was all it took to match the new doorknobs without going through the labor of taking down and then rehanging the doors! Woohoo! An added bonus: a tube of Rub-n-Buff will run you under $4 and each hinge requires only a smidgen.
Ahhh, much better. The hinges are a teensy bit brighter than the knobs but I don’t think it’s that noticeable.
Next week I will share very exciting (:) tutorials on retrofitting doors for new knobs and spraypainting hardware. I know you’re on the edge of your seat!!! Tomorrow I’ll have some more great Before and After features for you!
I’m off to Mum’s, where amidst all the painting we’ve been unearthing all sorts of gems from my childhood!
Val says
Amazing.
Elizabeth (Blue Clear Sky) says
Great tip, thanks! Your hands look like mine this week with the paint splatters hehe. Cute little shoes too.
classic • casual • home says
I do like that rub n buff…I bought all our interior door knobs from Overstock…good deal.
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com says
Great tip Lisa! You are always coming up with creative little solutions that I love. I just used rub and buff on a chair recently and really like it.
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com says
Great tip Lisa! You are always coming up with creative little solutions that I love. I just used rub and buff on a chair recently and really like it.
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com says
Great tip Lisa! You are always coming up with creative little solutions that I love. I just used rub and buff on a chair recently and really like it.
Jean @ Flower Hill says
Fabulous tip! I thought of doing this, but didn't know how it would hold up! Keep us updated! Looks great!
Calypso In The Country says
You are making this sound easier and easier…I may take the plunge this weekend and change a door or two..
-Shelley
Carrie @ Hazardous Design says
Haha! Funny to see that my elephant made your list 🙂
I've actually been meaning to do this to the hinges to the doors of our guest bath vanity. They are brass and need to be silver to match the other hardware. Thanks for sharing your results, I think it turned out great.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
i would like to know who invented rub n buff so i can lay a big wet one on them.
Mandi@TidbitsfromtheTremaynes says
Well I had no idea about rub 'n buff! Awesome!
Privet and Holly says
I really enjoyed
both posts about
changing hardware
and now, the wheels
are spinning! Although,
like jewelry, I don't
mind mixing metals : )
That said, anytime
we replace hardware
we do it with brushed
nickel, as well. Sort
of like wearing gold
rings with silver bracelets
and earrings. I am a
newbie to Rub-n-Buff,
but now it is on my
list for the hardware
store. Can't wait to
see what you do with
your mum's room!
Happy Friday, sweet Lisa!
xx Suzanne
pam {simple details} says
So clever! I saw a couple diy posts recently where they used it to stencil! Sweet shoes! 🙂
cestMoi Sandy says
Just read your R&B post.
I did not even know of that stuff.
It sounds and looks great.
I will add that to my must have products.
I just bought a cool picture frame – sans glass.
Hummm… maybe?
Thanks for sharing Lisa!
S.
mistye says
doing research this evening on not taking hardware/hinges off. I’ve never heard of ruff and buff. Has it lasted over the long haul? How did you apply? paint brush, cloth? que tip maybe?
[email protected] says
Yes it has held up on our door hinges! The plate and outer part of the hinge don’t really get any friction that would rub off the R&B, but if you use it on something like a door handle, over time it does wear away. It’s great small things that you want to update or give a metallic finish to. I apply it either with my fingertip or sometimes with a watercolor paintbrush (skinny ones) that I cut the bristles down on.
Cynthia says
I want to try this on edges of a medicine cabinet to change it from antique brass to brushed nickel look. Do you think it will work?
Lisa says
Yes, I used the silver R&B to match my brushed nickel doorknobs. It might be a little bright at first but you can lightly sand it with steel wool to take away that super shiny and solid finish.
Vicki says
Thank you so much for this fantastic idea! Do you need to prep the hinges first? (Normally they have some sort of grease on them.)
Lisa says
Vicki combine water with a dash of regular old dish soap like Palmolive and give your hinges a scrub with a brush if you have any grease on them, that usually does the trick!
Jaime says
So I tried to use rub and buff on my hinge. It’s my first one using it and I followed the directions to rub it on with finger and then buff it off but it basically all came off and the brass is still there. I tried a second time and same thing. Am I using it wrong?
Lisa says
Jaime, my hinges were old and did not have a shiny finish. Is your brass shiny? Try sanding them a bit with sandpaper to give the R&B something to hold onto.