Amaco Rub 'n Buff - The Antiques

Of the 17 different colors of Rub 'n Buff currently available, three of them are 'antiques'. They add an aged look to any surface. They range from metallic to flat to bright and colorful. They can coat a surface fully or add a translucent finish. Checkout the photos and descriptions below to find the one best suited for your next project.

Antique Gold

Antique Gold is primarily a true gold with a bit of reddish-brown. On my wooden test block, it wound up middle of the pack for the golds as far as luster. Like all of the antique Rub 'n Buff shades, there is a bit of 'tarnish' built in Antique Gold. It doesn't look dirty, just a little dark and old. Little known fact: gold does not react with oxygen meaning that it does not actually rust or tarnish on a chemical level. Gold 'tarnish' is just the darkening of shiny surfaces over time due to exposure.

Antique White

Antique White is a relatively flat white-wash with just a bit of shine to it. It is similar to Antique Gold in that it has a bit of 'tarnish' built in which makes it look a little grayish. But it isn't uniform. No idea how they do it, but it has a little bit of a "mottled" look to it. A word of warning - this is the most difficult of the Rub 'n Buff colors to work with. I did all of the test blocks at the same time, and I did the white about half-way through. My fingers were already a mess, and it was impossible to keep the white pure. The block pictured is my third attempt, and even after scrubbing my hands to get as much of the other colors off as possible, there is still a small smudge of red from the Ruby on the right side.

Patina

Patina can refer to several different things. On glass and wood, it is a rainbow sheen that builds up over time. On bronze and other metals, it is a film of oxidation that builds up over time as the metal reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere. It is bluish-green in color, and it is that color that is replicated by Patina Rub 'n Buff. It is a deep blue-green in color, and it has a medium luster. It is somewhat translucent - notice how you can still make out the wood grain through the coloring in the photo above. Little known fact: bronze is commonly used for sculptures because the initial layer of patina protects the metal from further corrosion, making it a durable material for outdoor statues.

The Antiques may not be quite as exciting as the golds of the jewel tones in the Rub 'n Buff spectrum, but they serve a purpose. They add an aged look to your projects that can't be duplicated.

New on YouTube: Rub 'n Buff Gift Box

New YouTube video up today - full process of making the Rub n Buff gift box featured a few days ago in an article. This project uses Jade Rub 'n Buff, Antique Gold Rub 'n Buff, and the Scallop pattern Fiskars Paper Edger.

Gift Box Project - Rub 'n Buff and a Paper Edger

For my first full project for the blog, I decided to make a small gift box using two colors of Amaco Rub 'n Buff and the Scallop Fiskars Paper Edger to make a stencil. The box is a small stiff cardboard paper mache model that I got at Michael's for $.99. I also used a stencil of a small swirl border pattern to add some style to the top of the box. This is a very simple project, and it ended up looking pretty spectacular. I don't have any 'process' photos - just pics at the end of each step. I'll post a video soon showing the entire project.

Step 1: I didn't take a photo of the box before I started, so you can't see that it was just a plain, brown cardboard box. What you can see in the photo below is what happens when you cover a plain, brown cardboard box with Rub 'n Buff. I used Jade for the lid and Antique Gold for the body of the box, spreading it on with a paintbrush. 

 

Step 2: You can see in the photo above that the surface has a good color, but it doesn't have much shine to it. I waited a little over an hour for the box to dry, then I buffed it with a dry cloth. You can't be afraid to lay into an R&B'ed surface to get it to shine - at least on porous surfaces like paper or wood. The pigments and metal flakes are absorbed into the surface, and they aren't coming out. Buff it gets rid of the uneven layers above the absorbed layers to create a more regular surface. You can see in the photo below what a difference some buffing makes.

 
Step 3: Next, I wanted to to add a stenciled image to the lid of the box in the Antique Gold. I used a plastic stencil of a swirl pattern to put a full swirl on the center of the lid and two partial swirls on either side. I did some testing beforehand and found that I got a much sharper image using a tissue to spread the Rub 'n Buff over the stencil than when I used a paintbrush. You can see my "technique" in the project video when I post it. You probably have your own preferred method of stenciling - go with whatever works for you.

Step 4: After letting the swirl pattern dry, I decided the edge of the lid need a little something extra. So I took the Scallop pattern Fiskars Paper Edger, cut a strip of paper, and wrapped it around the edge of the box. I wrapped the positive edge side of the pattern around the edge pointing down so that when I painted the exposed portion, I would end up with a positive scallop pattern in Jade over more of the Antique Gold. The stencil was not perfectly sharp - I was just using white copy paper, and the Rub 'n Buff bled under the edge in places. In my next project, I am going to try using masking tape to eliminate the bleeding edge.

So that's the whole project - I used a $.99 cardboard box, a stencil, a paper edger, and some metallic paint to make this great looking little gift box. I have it sitting on a shelf in my living room right now, and it catches the light and looks very much like a metal box. The only thing that gives it away on closer inspection if, of course, the weight and the somewhat rough texture of the cardboard still visible under the paint.

Look for the video of this project soon!

My Bad - Rub 'n Buff on a Glossy Bead

I claim to be an "amateur crafter" - someone who really has no idea what he is doing, someone who makes mistakes and isn't afraid to admit it. So far, my projects have been simple enough that I haven't had the opportunity to make many mistakes. That changes today. In an attempt to demonstrate Amaco Rub 'n Buff on plastic, I tried to coat a large white plastic bead with Ruby Rub 'n Buff. Unfortunately, the finished, glossy surface of the bead didn't take the material very well. 

As Rub 'n Buff is made up mostly of metal flakes and pigments with a clear liquid binder. The flakes and colors didn't spread evenly over the glossy surface - they clumped together producing the marbled look below. Part of my goal in writing this blog in addition to showing my mistakes is showing how to correct or, in this case, use my mistakes. One of my next projects will incorporate the rest of the beads and the marbled look you get when you apply Rub 'n Buff. Project photo, video, and article to come soon!

Amaco Rub 'n Buff - The Other Metallics

Of the 17 different colors of Rub 'n Buff currently available, there are 3 metallic shades that are not gold variations. If you want a nice, shiny finish but don't want to go gold, try out one of these. They range from brilliant to basic, shiny to subtle. Unfortunately, the selection here is not quite as wide as it could be - there are only three shades to talk about. The good news is that they all fill a niche perfectly.

Pewter

Pewter is a metal alloy composed almost entirely of tin - up to 99% in some cases. the remainder is a mix of copper, antimony, bismuth, and lead. which act as hardeners of the more malleable tin. Pewter looks a bit like like tarnished silver, Rub 'n Buff Pewter is a perfect match with a subtle shine and dark-silver color. Little known fact: many athletic competitions, including the U.S. Figure Skating Championships award a pewter metal to the 4th place finisher.

Silver Leaf

Rub 'n Buff Silver Leaf had the highest luster of all of the colors in my testing. It is a brilliant silver color with a mirror-like finish. I want to try the silver leaf on a smooth plastic or metal surface, because I am pretty sure it can create a regular reflective surface capable of producing a clear reflection. The only thing preventing it at the moment is the irregular surface of the wood. Little known fact: silver leaf (and gold leaf) decoration is created by melting a thin sheet of silver (or gold) onto a surface. Both metals have the unique property of not becoming fragile or breakable even when they are pounded out very thin.

Spanish Copper

Spanish Copper is the darkest and dullest of all of the metallic Rub 'n Buff shades. It resembles a penny that has been in circulation for a few decades - dark and tarnished, but with a shine underneath that can't be overlooked. This is probably my favorite of the metallics. It has a very rustic look, and it instantly makes any surface look like antique bronze. I considered putting this on in the 'antique' category, but I wanted to have at least 3 different products for this category. Little known face: American nickels are only 25% nickel, the rest is copper.

Hope one of these colors inspired you to create a new work art. Check back to the blog often - we are regularly adding to our article database. Next week, we take a look at the three Rub 'n Buff colors that can add an antique finish to any surface!

Gift Box Project Preview

Just finished a project using two colors of Rub 'n Buff (Antique Gold and Jade) and the Scallop pattern Fiskars Paper Edger. I decorated a small, oval cardboard box sold as a paper mache model to make a gift box worthy of being displayed. A detailed post with instructions and a YouTube video showing you how I made it will be posted later this week. Until then, take a look at the finished product photo below.

Fiskars Paper Edger - Sunflower Pattern YouTube Demo

Now on YouTube: A demo video of the Sunflower pattern Fiskars Paper Edger. Took me a while to get this one up and running. I had technical issues with my camera and had to switch to a backup which created a .mov file instead of a .mpg file like my other camera. That led to conversion issues, etc. etc.

In any case, I think the video turned out better than the last one. The new camera focused on the action a little better, and I switched to a top-down angle and improved the lighting. Constructive criticism is always welcome. I will be putting up a project idea video next week to break the monotony of the demos.

Supplies On Demand On Facebook!

Notice the new 'Like' boxes directly above and over on the right - Supplies On Demand now has a Facebook page! It isn't much to look at yet - just a logo and a little text - but I will be posting product images, project images, and anything else I can think of. Plus, it's linked to my Twitter account, so if you don't happen to be a Twitter-er(?), you can now read all of my daily Tweets! Aren't you lucky! So even if you don't like me, please Like me.

I'll also put 'Like' boxes in each individual post so you can have more say in what you are Liking.

Fiskars Paper Edger - Sunflower Pattern Demo

We carry a full line of Fiskars Paper Edgers. These scissors have special blades that allow you to cut a patterned line through paper, fabric, vinyl, and similar materials. Fiskars is the best in the business at making precision cutting tools, and their paper edgers are no exception.

The Sunflower Paper Edger from Fiskars takes the zig-zag pattern of the Pinking and Mini-Pinking patterns and adds a repeated curve. The positive cut looks like the tops of a line of sunflowers, and the negative cut looks like choppy waves. Experiment to find new and fun patterns - cut left to right or right to left, cut parallel lines in the same direction or the opposite. Cut out shapes using different directions cuts for different sides.

You'll be amazed at the number of different variations you can get out of just one Fiskars Paper Edger!

Supplies On Demand on YouTube!

We now have video! Check out this video of me painting one of the wooden sample blocks with Rub 'n Buff Gold Leaf. I'm going to try to do one of these a week with all of the Rub 'n Buff colors and some of our other products. I'll embed the video on the blog every time I upload a new one.

Supplies On Demand is now on Twitter!

Quick update - Supplies On Demand is now on Twitter! What will I do with the account? No idea. At the very least, I'll use it to let you know when a new blog post is coming. Maybe I'll think of something better to do with it sooner or later. Check it out: http://twitter.com/SODBlogger. Have an idea of what I should do with it? Let me know!

Amaco Rub 'n Buff - Jewel Tones

Of the 17 different colors of Rub 'n Buff currently available, there are 4 jewel tones. These differ greatly from the metallic shades both in their color and in their finish. Rather than being opaque with a metallic luster, the jewel tones are translucent with a glossier sheen. It doesn't come through on the wooden blocks as well, but these colors are every bit as unique and brilliant as the metallics. Sooner or later, I will get around to testing all of the colors out on plastic and metal, and then the jewel tones will really shine. Until then, use your imagination and check out the wooden block samples below.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz - making is a rare and precious variety of a relatively common material. The Amethyst variety of Rub 'n Buff is a beautiful shade of lavender that is much more purple and much less red than the picture above. When the light hits it just right (as in the photo), you can see a lot of red. Little known fact: the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Amethyst protected a person from the effects of alcohol. So it was used to make drinking vessels and amulets to wear while drinking to keep themselves sober. I guarantee that Amethyst Rub 'n Buff will work just as well as ancient Roman amethyst amulets.

Jade

The term jade actually refers to two different minerals, Nephrite and Jadite. They were thought to be the same material until the 19th century when mineralogists determined the difference. Nephrite is softer then jadite, but both can be shaped easily. They look essentially the same, and the Rub 'n Buff version isn't modeled after one or the other. It has a very nice slightly olive-green color with a good luster. The color is slightly more yellow then in the picture above. Little known fact: the word jade comes from the Spanish piedra de ijada meaning 'loin stone'. Jade was once thought to cure diseases of the kidneys and the loins. Rub 'n Buff does not have any such healing properties to my knowledge.

Ruby

Rubies are considered as precious as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. Their value is determined by their clarity and by the brilliance of their red color. In that case, Rub 'n Buff rubies would not be all that valuable. While the finished product is very shiny and slightly more red than the picture above, there is still plenty of brown in the mix. It could possibly be the brown of the wood block coming through - I'm interested to see what it looks like on a white plastic bead. Little known fact: Rubies were held in high esteem throughout East Asian countries in the past. They were laid in foundations of buildings to bring good fortune.

Sapphire

Sapphires are actually identical to Rubies in chemical formula for the most part. The only difference is trace elements which give sapphires a different color range. Sapphires come in a wide variety of colors, but most of us think of them as a rich blue, and that is exactly the color of Sapphire Rub 'n Buff. In my tests, there was less shine on the wood block treated with the Sapphire then on the other jewel-toned samples, but I think there will be plenty of shine on plastic. Little known fact: there are multiple varieties of "color change sapphires". One is blue in daylight and purple under fluorescent light, another is pink in daylight and green under fluorescent light.

So if you are looking for an alternative to metallic Rub 'n Buff, remember that there are several jewel tones out there to mix things up.

Amaco Rub 'n Buff - Why you need 5 different golds

Of the 17 different colors of Rub 'n Buff currently available, 5 are different shades of gold. Why do you need 5 different kinds of gold? Each variation is remarkably different when looked at side by side. Check out the photos and descriptions below to find the perfect shade of gold for your project. A lot of them sort of photograph the same, so trust the descriptions.

Antique Gold

Antique Gold is primarily a true gold with a bit of reddish-brown. On my wooden test block, it wound up middle of the pack for the golds as far as luster. Like all of the antique Rub 'n Buff shades, there is a bit of 'tarnish' built in Antique Gold. It doesn't look dirty, just a little dark and old.

European Gold

 

European Gold is one of the two dullest gold shades in my testing. It has an olive-brown color that is very reminiscent of Renaissance-era gold work. It almost looks more antique than the Antique Gold. This would be great for refinishing an old, small statue or figurine.

Gold Leaf

 

Gold Leaf is bright and bold. It is yellow with a high luster - just like real yellow gold. I was actually the most surprised by the Golf Leaf during my testing. It works just as advertised - rub it on, let it dry, and buff it for a great shine.The great thing about the Gold Leaf is that if you skip the buffing step, it still has great color, but it stays a bit duller, making it look worn and aged.

Grecian Gold

Grecian Gold is very similar to Golf Leaf except a bit more yellow and a little orange. It has a high luster, although in my testing it was a bit more scattered - less of a mirror finish than the Gold Leaf. Think about classic Greek art and architecture, and you'll know exactly what this gold looks like. It will pop fantastically against black (think Greek vases or Pittsburgh Steelers).

Autumn Gold

 

I'm not sure why Autumn Gold wasn't just called 'Copper', but that's basically what it is. Think copper pipes, think shiny new penny - just don't think gold. Autumn Gold has a very high luster - on the level of Gold Leaf in my tests. It is a great color, I just don't think you can call it gold.

So did you see anything you like? I bet you did. Pick the gold most suitable to your project, and get started today!

Using Amaco Rub 'n Buff for the First Time

I'll start this post by saying that I am not a person who does craft projects on a regular basis. I do the standard maintenance around the apartment, paint the occasional wall, and hang shelves when necessary, but I am not a 'crafter' by any stretch of the imagination. That being said, Amaco Rub 'n Buff is one of those products that is so easy to use, that even an amateur like me wound up with a very nice finished product. I coated 17 small wooden cubes in each of the available Rub 'n Buff colors, some of which can be seen below.

First impressions - using Rub 'n Buff is a bit like working with a thick finger paint with a very fine grit (the metallic flakes). Make sure you shake the tube a good bit before squeezing. On first opening, several tubes had separated so that what came out was a thin liquid full of pigments and metallic flakes while the wax stayed behind, but a quick shake was all that was needed to blend the contents effectively. Be sure to use it sparingly at first - a little goes a long way. Each of the cubes (3/4" on all sides) required only a pea-sized amount to cover fully.

I used both methods of application recommended by the manufacturers - a finger and a dry cloth. Using your finger is the more effective of the two methods and results in the least waste (quite a bit gets absorbed into the cloth), but your hands look like they have been bronzed when you are finished. Acetone gets most of the paint off, but you are still left with a lot of the metallic flakes and pigmentation stuck in the grooves of your fingers. It wears off in a day or two at most. Using a dry cloth results in a lot of wasted material and a very shiny rag. I haven't tried running the cloth I used through the washer yet - no idea if it will come out and how it will effect everything else in the load. I would recommend application by hand, just be prepared for a mess afterwards.

The directions on the package suggest letting your project dry overnight and then buffing with a clean cloth for a greater luster. It was pretty apparent that the my cubes were dry after about an hour. That could be because the wood absorbed the moisture quickly, so be prepared to wait longer with plastic and metal projects. A little light buffing did bring out the shine for the more metallic colors, but there isn't much you can do to make 'patina' shiny. So unless the words 'gold', 'silver', or 'copper' are in the title, there isn't much shine to be had. Not that the non-metallic colors aren't perfectly nice. Check out the photos below to see what I mean.

All in all, I was very impressed with Rub 'n Buff. It is very easy to apply, and the result is a very nice looking metallic or jewel-toned finish. I'd be interested to try it out on some other types of surfaces. For wood, it seems to work very well. On plastic and metal, I would expect it to take a while longer to dry. Try it out yourselves and comment below about your own experiences!

Amethyst

 Antique Gold

Jade

Silver Leaf

Velcro Products Make Your Garden Beautiful

We carry a wide array of Velcro products for around the home, but we also carry several products made specifically for the outdoors. And they aren't just green versions of the popular One-Wrap products. Velcro makes several great products that were designed specifically to be used outdoors. They are just as strong as the standard products, but they come in a wider variety of shapes and sizes.

15 in x 1/2 in Velcro One Wrap Straps - Green & 23 in. x 7/8 in. Velcro One Wrap Straps - Green: Ok, I lied. These are identical to the red and black One Wrap straps we sell in other sections of the store, but who wants to use red ties outside? Better get some green ones too. These ties are die-cut with a slot at one end to put the other end through for a secure wrap. They are adjustable, weather-proof, and incredibly strong.

30 ft x 1/2 in Cut-To-Size Plant Ties & 45 ft x 1/2 in Cut-To-Size Plant Ties: What did you use to stake your tomato plants last year? String? A metal twist-tie? Why not use something that can be cut to any length you need, re-sized with ease, and used again next year? Our Velcro plant ties do it all. Plus they're green! What more could you ask for?

18 ft x 2 in Cut-To-Size Tree Tie: Just like the plant ties, only bigger and stronger. Stake a sapling or bundle limbs or firewood. They can be cut to any size you need, and they're weather proof and reusable. Not only that, they're green!

36 in x 6 in Velcro Tree Wrap: The tree wrap isn't meant to bundle things together, but you can still use it that way if you want. It's designed to act as a guard around the base of small trees to protect them from lawn mowers, weed whackers, bugs, and pesky little animals who would love to knaw the bark off your prized dogwood. Unfortunately, it isn't green, but neither are the trunks of your trees. Probably better that way.

So show your garden some love. Velcro brand garden and landscaping products will make your life easier and your yard more beatiful. Plus they're green!

Rub 'n Buff Makes the Ordinary Extraordinary

Amaco Rub 'n Buff is a remarkable paint made from canuba wax, metallic flakes, and pigments. When applied to virtually any clean, dry surface, Rub 'n Buff imparts a metallic luster that other similar products cannot match. It can also be applied over a previously painted surface. It doesn't matter if its wood, metal, or plastic, smooth or textured, old or new, Rub 'n Buff makes even the most ordinary object into a work of art. We sell the full line of Rub ‘n Buff products in a variety of combinations.

Each color can be bought separately with discounted pricing for larger quantities, the full line of colors can be bought together in our 17 Tube Complete Rub ‘n Buff Set, we have two standard six tube variety packs (Rub ‘n Buff Assortment 1, Rub ‘n Buff Assortment 2), a standard 12 twelve tube variety pack, and two custom variety packs where you can pick any combination of colors that you want (6 Tube Rub ‘n Buff Custom Pack, 12 Tube Rub ‘n Buff Custom Pack). To my knowledge, we are the only store currently offering quantity discounts on custom packs like these. 

1. Easy To Use: Just apply a dab to any surface and spread with your finger or a cloth. Let the piece dry for 24 hours, and then buff lightly with a clean, dry cloth for a semi-gloss finish.

2. A Little Goes A Long Way: You'll be surprised how far you can spread just a small dab of Rub 'n Buff. The wax base allows Rub 'n Buff to spread thinly, and it's so chock-full of metallic flakes and pigments that you'll rarely need a second coat.

3. Versatility To Do Your Job: Go ahead, find a surface Rub 'n Buff won't work on. We dare you. Actually, just kidding. Fabrics are probably a bad idea. But as long as its a hard surface, you shouldn't have too many problems.

4. Variety Is The Spice of Life: Rub 'n Buff comes in 17 different colors. There are five different shades of gold to choose from (A lot of the projects out there use gold. You'll be glad you have the variety.), plus Amethyst, Antique White, Ebony, Jade, Patina, Pearl Blue, Pewter, Ruby, Sapphire, Silver Leaf, Spanish Copper, and Turquoise.

5. The Only Limit Is Your Imagination: If you run out of things to do with Rub 'n Buff, you aren't trying hard enough. Look around the room right now. How many things can you see that would be better with a little metallic glow? That's what I thought.

So buy some Rub 'n Buff today. You won't regret it! Do you have any other creative uses for Rub ‘n Buff not mentioned here? Add them to the comments section below!

The Many Uses of Velcro Ties

It doesn't matter if you call them strips, straps, wraps, or ties, Velcro brand self-wrapping ties are some of the most useful products around. Supplies On Demand carries Velcro strap products that will make any task you can think of easier. We sell short Velcro straps, long Velcro straps, thin Velcro straps, thich Velcro strapsblack Velcro straps, gray Velcro straps, green Velcro straps, multi-color Velcro straps, Velcro straps for in the garden, and cable ties for behind the TV and computer. There are literally thousands of uses for these great little ties, and our goal here at Supplies On Demand is to tell you about just a few of them.

The Many Uses of Velcro Ties

- Bundle cables behind the TV or computer

- Bundle a computer cord for traveling

- Wrap rolled-up belts for travel or storage

- Keep pens and pencils together in a purse

- Bind flip-flops together so you don't lose one

- Neatly store spare cables and wires

- Wrap around bottom of pant leg to keep from getting caught in bike chain

- Keep the cables of your hair-drier, curling iron, a flat iron wound

- Bind together the legs of card tables to make a long table

- Tie together handles of plastic grocery bags to make them easier to carry

- Cut up colored ties, and stick them to felt to make a work of art

How do you use Velcro ties? Share your ideas in the comment section!