Thursday, March 14, 2013

What Color Would You Choose? + Paint or No Paint? The Vintage Painting Discussion


An excellent way to improve sales as a reseller is to paint, revamp, and upcycle your vintage scores and/or incorporate art into your line. I'm back to painting, making art, and plotting several lines and I love it! I thought this would be a good chance to ask a couple questions.

I tend to try to keep items the original color as long as possible to preserve the history and won't paint things until I've been toting them around for months without luck selling them. Another good reason to paint an item is to cover up damage. I found the table above behind a favorite thrift store that closed down about a year ago. It's sadly lived under my bed after my first unsuccessful attempts to sell it. It's time for some paint! The legs are very rusted and the wood sides are in shabby shape. Someone suggested minty mod green for the top and orange or yellow for the legs. What do you think?

Got any paint color suggestions for the table above? Should I paint the sides/legs? How do you feel about painting vintage items? Expect more painted before/afters and DIYS in the near future!
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35 comments:

  1. I think it would look really awesome to paint the sides! Something closer to the same tone maybe? Eggplant purple or some sort of bluish green. I like colors that are weirdly the same but not.

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  2. Very good question-- if something was already painted or in poor condition, I say go ahead and paint. If not, it might be better left alone. The problem, to me, is once you paint, sooner or later it's going to need more paint. What about leaving the legs of your table as is and painting the top and sides black? Might make a statement. Or the sides a solid color and the top stripes?? You're going to get too many suggestions!! Good luck-- be sure to show us what you end up doing.

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    1. I'll definitely follow-up with the end result. Always tricky to pick the right finish. I think I'll have to end up painting the legs, for some reason it doesn't show in the photo but they're very rusty and it doesn't look good on that style of leg.

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    2. Oh, and that's another good point on the longevity of your damaged finds when you paint them? How long before you have to paint them again? It's worth looking into.

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  4. I just tried to post a comment and my browser did something weird and the comment disappeared, so I apologize if I am double posting... Have you tried simichrome on the rust? It's great.
    http://thepolishguy.com/2008/11/20/how-good-is-simichrome-polish-we-test-it-on-a-heavily-rusted-spoked-wheel/

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    1. I haven't. Thanks for sharing that, I will definitely experiment with that!

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  5. Hi Van, I've been looking for a table like this. I'd be interested in seeing it before you painted it. I'm in Avondale. My email is greywillowtree@gmail.com

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    1. I'll e-mail you with a meet-up time then. Thanks :)

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  6. I would do the simichrome on the legs, because paint might be a pain to get to stick. The top would be super cool in mint green (hipsters dig that color) or my fav, aqua. If you didn't sell it, I can't wait to see how it turns out.

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    1. I'm leaning toward the mint green, lots of suggestions for and like you said, it sells!

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  7. Thanks Michelle for the link- I bookmarked it, since I have a lot of chrome that I would like to restore! I just appreciate the wealth of know how that is available through the internet.
    I had French provincial furniture that I hated but if I had painted it (the hubby wouldn't consider it, painting wood? Blasphemy!)I would have loved it. Now that I don't have it, I wish I did, so I understand the slippery slope of leaving a piece alone and following your own desires.
    I like your mint green and yellow choice, if the chrome can't be saved.

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    1. Thank yee for the feedback. :) Yeh...it does feel blasphemous to paint finds, I only do it in rare instances.

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  8. I want something bright that makes it stand out, like orange or yellow. It sound like everyone is on the same page re. color.

    You've totally inspired me to do more with finds besides cleaning. I have now moved to repairing! I know, I know. So lame. But now I'm willing to purchase things that need a little love because I have the energy to fix 'em, sew things, glue things, etc.

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    1. Enjoy it, it's so fun! I happen to have orange and yellow on hand so a side table I want to re-paint may get the bright treatment. :) That's my personal favorite for furniture. I'm addicted to upcycling, lots more posts on it are comin' up.

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  10. I don't alter my thrifted items, mainly because I wouldn't know how, nor do I want to hold onto something even longer just to see if it will sell. I like to move older items out to make room for newer items and keep my inventory fresh. But hey, if you have the inclination, go for it. I love seeing things transformed and given new life.

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    1. I need to be better about doing the same, but I like how changing up the photo style, price, and location of an item can lead to an instant sale. And of course, transforming items is nice too. I can't wait to launch my up-cycled jewelry line made from thrifted goodies. :)

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  11. I think it looks pretty good in the photo. Don't they make metallic silver paint! I think I've used it before so I'm pretty sure they do. I'd touch up the rusty legs with that and maybe the sides as well and leave the top that nice blue. Then I'd go out for a beer. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
    Connie*

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    1. Thanks for the suggestions! I'd attempt to sell it as is but the photo is deceptive, the sides are feeling off in addition to the rusty legs. I may try the lightest of touch-ups though first, you never know if that's all it will need to sell.

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  12. Have you considered chalkboard paint for the top? I think that would add a fun function to the table.

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    1. Not a bad idea, thanks for the suggestion. Hmm..

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I love reading your comments. Thank you for adding to the discussion! I always reply to any and all questions.

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