We are the products of a society that simply throws things away and replaces them when they break or don’t suit our tastes anymore.

Think: when is the last time you bought a duplicate of something you already owned?

Maybe it’s because I was raised in a do-it-yourself household, but I’m the type of person who first considers if they can fix or renovate something before buying it new, again. Plus, I feel accomplished knowing that I created or “re-created” something with my hands!

It seems like the idea of renovation is more popular than ever thanks to HGTV shows like Fixer Upper, Rehab Addict, and Home Town. What’s old is new again! Well, I decided to roll up my sleeves and refurbish our dog’s wrought iron raised dog dish stand after a couple years of neglect left it incredibly rusted and looking sad.

Perhaps you don’t have a raised dog bowl stand, but I bet you also have a rusted metal plant stand or outdoor lantern that is beginning to look a bit sad too. No fear! In a few easy steps you can bring that tired piece of metal artwork back to it’s glory. Let’s get started.

Because our 10 year-old dog Sasha laps her water wildly when she drinks, this wrought iron dog dish stand has suffered from quite a bit of rust. She has the longest tongue I’ve ever seen on a dog!

The first step to fixing this rust problem is to remove as much of it as possible using a metal brush.

After breaking loose every bit of rush from all sides of the stand, you can use a soft bristled brush or rag to clean up its surface.

After brushing the rust pieces loose from the metal stand, you can position it on top of old cardboard boxes or newspaper to prepare your space to cover it with Rust Stop indoor/outdoor spray paint.

Using smooth continuous strokes, spray all sides of the metal stand. Allow it to dry, turn it upside down, and spray the bottom sides of it as well. If you have to paint more than one coat, expect several hours of drying time.

This spray in particular is awesome to use because it not only prevents future rust but also paints your metal items just as great as any other brand of spray paint. TIP: After completely spraying your projects with canned spray paint, turn the can upside and spray it just a little bit more to keep the nozzle from clogging.

Looks like Sasha just got herself a refurbished metal dog dish that looks awesome. Of course, she didn’t even notice but I did!

What new potential do you see in your old metal pieces now? In a few DIY steps and a little effort, your old stuff can look new again.

Are you as obsessed with your dog as I am? You might also appreciate my post for Homemade Bacon Cheddar Dog Biscuits and Frozen Yogurt Pupcakes or check out my Facebook page for dog lovers to read more posts about dog care.