Recently I bought an Olive Basket from Walmart... yes, Walmart!
Actually, I bought 2. They were only $9.88... a steal considering the real deal can cost well over $100.00.
The Walmart olive basket really is a great substitute, but it did not have the same "aged appeal" as authentic ones.
Not to worry... I have an easy-peasy DIY for aging galvanized metal.
Here's how the olive basket looked before...
Very nice and sturdy and well made... but way too shiny!
And here is how the olive basket looks now...
It really looks old!
Here's a simple way to make new metal, like galvanized metal, look old and have lots of crusty character!
Galvanized metal is usually zink or iron with a coating of steal sealed over it to prevent it from rusting.
To make a piece of galvanized metal look old and rusty and chippy and have a wonderful patina takes years of outdoor wear. Here's a way to speed the natural process of the steal coating wearing off.
StoneGable's Aging Galvanized DIY
toilet bowl cleaner
steel wool
a safe place to apply the toilet bowl cleaner outdoors
rubber gloves
hose
* put on rubber gloves before you begin!
1. Put a new galvanized olive basket in a tub. We used a tub we mix cement in that held both of the basket easily.
2. I used Lysol toilet bowl cleaner. I looked for Zep Acid Toilet Bowl Cleaner, which is my corrosion agent of choice, but 4 local stores I went to were out of it!
Lysol worked pretty good... it just took a little longer.
3. Squirt the toilet bowl cleaner LIBERALLY all over the olive basket and scrub it in with the steel wool.
4. Let it sit for 30 minutes. It will start to darken and corrode. If it needs more time let it sit longer!
5. When you are happy with the finish, rinse thoroughly inside the tub. We disposed of the toilet bowl cleaner water down our septic system. Let the olive basket air dry!
This process can be repeated if you want it to be more rusty and crusty!
Each of the galvanized pieces I have "aged" this way have all turned out a little different.
The first piece I ever did was a big tub to put our Christmas tree in.
Here's how that turned out...
Very different... it had a really pleasing white finish... very realistic!
I plan to leave the olive baskets out on a couple of rainy days... I bet I'll get some great rust!
To get all the Walmart Olive Basket info click HERE.
I can't wait to show you what I am aging next!!!!
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Love this Yvonne! I got some buckets with mums in them from Walmart last fall. They're finally starting to develop a bit of patina, but I'm happy to know how to speed up the process :)
ReplyDeleteThese are AMAZING...just like you : ) hugs...
ReplyDeleteI SPRAYED BLEACH ON MINE FROM WALMART AND LEFT IN RAIN TOO. WORKS GREAT.
ReplyDeletePretty neat Yvonne. I like that it's a one step process!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip and it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a tried and true method but I think running it in the dishwasher might give the same effect, especially if there was some other metal in there with it. (it worked on my new pressure cooker - didn't make me to happy though!!)
ReplyDeleteToilet cleaner... You never know what other uses products have. The olive baskets certainly look good.
ReplyDeletehugs Kay
What a great idea! I love how the aged look turned out. Who would have ever thought toilet bowl cleaner would have worked & it's so simple!
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you I bought one too. Now I can AGE it quickly:) Can't wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial--I tried this recently and the results weren't as good as yours, but I didn't use steel wool. So I'm gonna try again. Thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteI gotta get to WalMart and get some of those ASAP Yvonne! I absolutely love your tip and totally want to try it myself!
ReplyDeleteVanessa
I may have to venture to a Walmart!
ReplyDeletexo
That certainly did the trick, it's not to shiny any more :)
ReplyDeleteYou are one amazing woman Yvonne!! The tips I glean from your posts are priceless!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Soiree by Danielle Rollins Giveaway!
Your original how to age galvanized metal post was how I originally found you a few years ago! And, I used your technique successfully to age a tin bucket I had. I've been following along ever since! I just checked my closest Walmart for the olive buckets and they are currently out, but I'll keep checking!
ReplyDeleteDoreen, Ephrata Walmart has them. xo
DeleteWho would have thought to use toilet bowl cleaner!....love how the bucket is aging!....looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteToilet cleaner... who knew? Luv the way they came out. Thanks for the tip! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs, Gee
Awesome! This a great thing to know. Pinned. Thanks for being part of our party. Please come and show off on Monday at 7 pm. We love having you. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Toilet bowl cleaner -- brilliant. I've never seen that ZEP brand, but I'll be on the lookout. Amy Howard at Home also sells some zinc aging solution that I've used with some success to add patina to newer metals.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! The only time I have looked forward to using toilet bowl cleaner! ~Ann
ReplyDeleteTarnished Royalty
thanks!
ReplyDeleteoff to see mroe of your blog. looks like fun here.
liked you on FB too.
blessings
barb
I also ordered two of these. I haven't aged them yet but now I will. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteWhooo Hooo! I just bought one of these, I have been looking forever to find one that I could afford! Thanks to your tip now I own my very own one! Well I will as soon as it comes in the mail. :) I am going to try using your DIY patina method! So excited I now (almost) own my very own antique-ish (shhh don't tell) Olive bucket! Ooh la la
ReplyDelete