Sewing Machine Table Makeover

antique singer sewing machine makeover

A friend of mine found this antique Singer sewing machine table at a garage sale and asked if I would give it a makeover. The wood table had lots of damage and the cast iron base was covered in rust. Due to the wood damage, I decided I would paint the wood table and try my best to clean up the metal and cast iron.

To begin, I unscrewed the table top from the cast iron base. Then I removed the sewing machine itself from the table by removing the two large screws on the hinges holding it in place. I tried scrubbing the rust off the cast iron base by first using vinegar in a spray bottle and stainless steel scrubbing pads but that did not work. Then I tried scrubbing it with Iron Out rust remover and that worked a little but did not completely remove the rust.

I ultimately spray painted the entire base using Krylon’s Hammered Black Metal spray paint and it turned out amazing! This paint went on so well and looked exactly like real cast iron. Next, I lightly sanded down the wood table starting with 150 grit sandpaper and then doing a finish sanding by hand using 220 grit sandpaper. I wiped it all down and then spray painted the table using Rustoleum Chalk Spray Paint in the Linen White color. It did take 3 coats of chalk spray paint and I very lightly hand sanded the paint with 220 girt in between coats.

Once the chalk paint was completely dry I used 150 grit sandpaper to sand a couple spots around the table to give it an aged and distressed look. I focused on the corners and edges of the table for the distressing. I wiped the table down with a dry cloth and then applied the clear top coat. I used Varathane water-based Polyurethane in a clear Satin finish. I applied two coats using a clean paint brush and allowed it to dry for 24 hours before putting the table back together.

The final step was to add new hardware to the drawers which I found at Hobby Lobby. The new look is a vintage shabby-chic style and I think the new hardware lends to the vintage look. I am so happy with how it came out and my friend absolutely loves it!