rusty cabinet clean up

You know that moment when you realize that your project may be a little bigger than you anticipated?  Well this was that moment, removing drawer number 18 out of 45.  

{It's when I understood that look my husband gave me when he first saw 

my beautiful piece of "metal junk".}

I wanted every single one of those beautiful filing cabinets in my home.  My concern was twofold: 

1. Making sure that nothing would flake off of it when my baby tried to eat a handle.

2. Making sure that it wouldn't rust any more or stain my carpet.

After doing some research I landed at a website that gave me the direction I was looking for.  It told me how to remove the dust and dirt and protect it from rusting further.

To clean up and protect the cabinet:

First, I used an air compressor to blow off most of the dirt.

Second, I wiped all of the drawers, and the cabinet, with the mineral spirits on a rag to remove the remaining dirt.

Third, I applied Penetrol.  This is an add-in for oil based paints that keeps metals from rusting.  I applied with a foam brush and I don't see any brush marks on the cabinet.

Fourth, I clear coated the entire cabinet with a matte finish.

The final result is a beautiful rusty cabinet that has been moved into my living room.

What do you think of the chair legs that I put in a basket?  

And I love that I have a good home for my Great-Grandfathers old gallon milk jugs.

What rusty treasures do you plan to clean up and move into your home?

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