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Tin Secrets

Let’s talk about that rusty, old duck tin thing from Monday.

While my bud vase and puppy bust got a painted makeover, this random (and cute, cute, cute!) find was sad, dirty and in need of soap, among other things.

Together with Jess (who was the one that actually found it – then bequeathed it to me; shucks!), we debated whether or not the finish could be salvaged. Should it be painted, too? Or how about an all over colored tin with a brassy duck? But after remembering our polished and happy pendant light (that sadly still has no home!), I decided to give it the good, college try with a rub of Nevr-Dull and a bit of elbow grease.

Luckily, the duck was held in place with a single screw, so after taking him off (and giving everything a soapy rubdown), I got to work. Unlike the light, the tin needed several passes with new wads of the polish, but holy ships, that stuff is pure magic.

I wore gloves and worked outside (it can be a bit offensive to the nose and hands), and I buffed with the Nevr-Dull until my fourth chunk of wadding came out clean (you just tear off what you need from the can).

Once the larger areas looked clean and the whole tin was coated in the hazy polish, I used a soft white rag to wipe it all off, re-buffing the areas that needed a little more cleaning power. Then I washed it down again in warm, soapy water to get off any unwanted residue.

No, the inside wasn’t gleaming, but it was already much, much better:

And the outside took to the polish like a champ, with virtually no signs of wear:

When I asked Scott what we should keep in it, he said, secrets. Um, I took this into consideration, but in the end, I settled on tacky rags – I use them for removing fine dust from paintings and little projects around the home.

Once again, the Nevr-Dull comes through, and the tin found a home in the studio (along with almost every other item from the weekend’s thriftapalooza). Really though, how cute is that guy?

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  • Cathy4.10.12 - 8:44 AM

    You new duck tin is adorable! Isn’t it amazing what a little elbow grease can do?ReplyCancel

  • Julia @ Chris Loves Julia4.10.12 - 9:01 AM

    I LOVE him. At first I wondered if the little duck should be buffed into a shiny silver, but the after is too perfect. I see the light. What a great find!ReplyCancel

  • Jane @ The Borrowed Abode4.10.12 - 9:44 AM

    Wow! It’s amazing how well the duck tin cleaned up – I love it!ReplyCancel

  • Kim4.10.12 - 10:31 AM

    Yup, never underestimate the power of elbow grease!ReplyCancel

  • Tina4.10.12 - 1:08 PM

    I really would have kept secrets in there! Make a stack of small strips of paper and occasionally leave a little secret or two in there as a surprise.

    But the little duck just quacks me up. :)ReplyCancel

  • Kim4.10.12 - 1:12 PM

    Haha, good one! :)ReplyCancel

  • Jen4.10.12 - 4:46 PM

    SO glad you kept it natural! SO adorable!!!ReplyCancel

  • Emily (New york, ny)4.11.12 - 1:41 PM

    Wow! It’s like new! Very nice + verrrry cutee :)ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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