Upcycled Bar Cart
3 Materials
$20
3 Hours
Easy
A little paint and some ingenuity can turn even a rusty, rickety old cart into an upcycled whimsical bar service.
More than 3 years ago, I jumped on the Minimalist bandwagon. I traded in my 7,000 square foot home for a 1700 square foot urban condo, so it goes without saying that I got rid of a lot of “things.” Except for one thing. This rickety, rolling push cart.
You see dirt and rust. I see memories.
This little cart is way more than a discarded piece of factory equipment. It is a piece of my past. In 2007, I opened the doors of It's a Wrap Ideas, a small design and embroidery factory. What began with one clever idea and a sewing machine in my basement quickly found its identity as a US made wholesale company, designing free-spirited tea towels for boutiques across the country. Some of my designs even landed in the product lines of Ballard Designs and Pottery Barn.
I’d be lying if I said my ego didn’t love the glamour of it all, but my heart belonged to the little cement-floored factory, filled with fabric bolts and embroidery machines and a staff that breathed life into my artistic ideas. Oh, and we also had an “order picking” cart, rolling down the aisles of inventory every day, which became one of our most essential pieces.
Just like people, many objects have unused potential. I just knew there was more in store for my cart (now retired from factory work) than housing potting soil and garden spades.
STEP 1 - I hosed it off, scrubbed it clean, and sanded off several spots of rust.
STEP 2 - Because I plan to use this cart on my balcony, I drilled several tiny drainage holes in both the top and bottom shelves to prevent rain from pooling. A regular drill bit did the trick; no masonry bit needed.
STEP 3 - Time for fresh paint. I came across this Stainless Steel Finish spray paint that I thought would look great on the inside of the upper shelf. It took several coats. Once it dried thoroughly, I needed to gently brush away the grainy top layer. Then a smooth stainless steel shine began to emerge.
STEP 4 - After securely covering and taping off the freshly painted inner top shelf, I sprayed the entire cart with a light layer of white primer.
Once dry, it was time for the final color. Fire Orange satin finish. A dose of patience was needed, because it took several coats.
STEP 5 - For an added touch of fun, I ordered this chrome wine glass holder. All I needed was 4 bolts and nuts and my drill to mount it under the top shelf.
STEP 6 - Plan your party.
That’s right. Just roll the cart right out onto your patio, porch or deck. Stock it with some chilled drinks and glasses. It can even serve as a perfect barbecue cart. Invite some friends over. And enjoy.
Check out some more sweet entertaining ideas!
- Plan a Moroccan rooftop dinner.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Comments
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5 of 36 comments
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Love the color, makes it POP. Great Job
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You must have a good eye and a green thumb Maureen. It is a sweet potato vine and impatiens! lol
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Awsome and inspired wow🤑
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Thank you!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Actually, it is a comment. Oshpo is a rust reversal product and turns rust into a viable metal, restoring up to 80% of original tinsel strength, and is self priming.
Just sand the rough spots and apply with a paint brush.
Warning: use heavy gloves and avoid contact with skin because it is a mild acid.
Paint as recommended.
It is inexpensive at your local hardware store. Use wherever you see rust.
When you attached the wine glass holder, did the screws/bolts go through the top tray portion of the cart? If yes, does it seem to be a problem with things that you might put in the tray area? Thank you!
It looks beautiful.
however, I did not get it how u got rid of the rust.
could u pls explain?
thanks in advance