Everything you buy in 2012 is either biggie-sized, jumbo, über, or super triple huge, even wheelbarrows.
So when I saw this nice vintage all-metal wheelbarrow at the same estate sale last weekend where I scored the great Homecraft patio furniture, well, I pulled five bucks out of my wallet as fast as I could! Whenever I see one of these it's usually rotted and rusty and falling apart.
As you can see, it must have spent most of its life in the garage because there was very little rust on the thing. Sometime recently, however, a bit of water or something damp sat in it long enough to give it this one area of surface rust.
After neutralizing the rust with some Naval Jelly, I knew it would need fresh paint to preserve the metal and get rid of the rust spots, so I chose to tear it apart, clean up and repaint the parts rather than try to get my touch up painting efforts to match the original shades of red and white.
Here's the end result. Now, She Who Must Be Obeyed has an appropriately sized wheelbarrow for her gardening.
Very nice! The size is perfect. So much easier to manage.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely - I know my wife will use this one.
DeleteWhat a steal at $5!
ReplyDeleteFor sure Dana. I'm really finding that my favorite part of estate sales is the basement, the garage, and the back yard. Let everybody else fight over jewelry and all the high-priced stuff inside, I'll continue bottom feeding with no competition!
DeleteSo, Uncle, were the rubber handles original? Or do you have a secret stash of replacement parts? I have one of these that I managed to pry loose from a neighbor last year, and it desperately needs new handles - to say nothing of the paint job . . . .
ReplyDeletePhilip,
DeleteGreat question. These are the original handles, but I'll bet you could use bicycle grips for your wheelbarrow. These are very similar and I'm guessing they're the same diameter as bicycle hand grips.
that is just ADORABLE!! And you do such good work, good job UA!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mod Betty!
DeleteSuccess! Success! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mick!
DeleteYour just the man i need to talk too! My son lives in Arlington and loves antiques, he was going to try his luck at selling at the arlington Civitan monthly flea markets. Do you know anyone that sells there that he could get some tips from, like is it safe to set up the night before, whats a good location, and pricing. Wow, any help would be soooo appreciated. I found you googling the flea and see that you have shopped there. thepolkadotcloset.blogspot.com My blog has and email button if that is easier
ReplyDeleteCarol
Carol, glad I was able to help. Did he set up at the July sale? Not as many vendors there this time due to the intensely hot weather.
DeleteWow, that looks great! You can't beat the old styling with a new coat of shiny red paint!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen - it's getting a lot of use too
DeleteOh that's great! Would have loved to snag that one up! Little ol' me could use one of those. Looks so sweet with the new paint job!
ReplyDeleteKeep your eyes open. I do believe that if you get out to enough sales you will find pretty much whatever you are looking for if you can be patient.
Deletewould you happen to know the brand of it?
ReplyDeleteSorry, no, I've never found any markings on it.
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