Wood Effect Lamp Upcycle

Rachel | mapleandgrey
by Rachel | mapleandgrey
4 Materials
1 Hour
Easy

My instinct is to paint everything- mostly white! I had painted this lamp but wanted to transform it back to the wood/whitewashed finish that it was originally. So this project was a project redo/reversal!

This is the before. I had used an Ivory eggshell paint to paint over a whitewashed wood effect on the original lamp. For a while I had been thinking about changing it back to wood as I’ve been inspired to have a bit more wood around the house. So one nap time I went for it!

Remove paint


First I used an old sponge to wash off as much paint as possible using a wax remover.

This worked well to ensure as little damage the finish underneath as possible and left a distressed look with the paint that was left behind in the crevices at the base of the lamp.

It then got a little harder to remove the paint on the main part of the lamp so I used a dish scourer too.

Distress


Finally I used some fine grit sandpaper to create more of a distressed look in places.

Add detail


The wood underneath was a little light for what I had imagined. So I took some dark wax to add some detail back in.

I applied this with a sponge very gently, hitting areas of the lamp at random. I then buffed straight away with a lint free cloth before the wax was dry to soften the colour and blend it in together.

Display!


This is the finished look! I love it, I’m so glad I took the plunge to experiment with it. I love how the finished result adds more texture to the room. It just shows how wood is so great to mix with white and neutrals for a more cozy feel!


To see more of this and other projects follow along on Instagram!


~ Rachel ♡

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5 of 7 comments
  • Zeze Zeze on Nov 06, 2020

    Oh yeah!! Very nice!

  • Sandy Sandy on Nov 07, 2020

    Hey Rachel. Is there a product that you know of that is comparable to the wax remover here in the States. I have never heard of your product. Thanks for any info.

    • See 1 previous
    • 34354174 34354174 on Nov 07, 2021

      Here is the data sheet on Colran Wax Remover

      https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/datasheets/colron-wax-remover/PDS-Colron-Wax-Remover.pdf

      It contains....turpentine, isopropyl alcohol and white spirit.


      Goo Gone contains...contains petroleum distillates and citrus terpenes.


      Goof Off.....

      Smells strong because when you work hard, you get smelly. Goof Off Pro Strength Remover works the first time quickly and easily removing tough spots and stains, like chewing gum, that ordinary household cleaners can’t. Removes: adhesives & glue, crayon, pen & marker, gum, scuff marks, stickers & decals, asphalt & tar, dried latex paint, duct tape, caulk, tree sap, candle wax and more. Ideal for all kinds of hard surfaces such as metals, glass, brick, wood, concrete, grout, fiberglass, hand tools and most automotive surfaces. Comes in a wide array of sizes including aerosol. Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including Ethylbenzene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Methanol, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

      So wear a mask and gloves!!

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