DIY Vintage Galvanized Washtub Shelf
- By Joan
- October 12, 2022
- 2 Comments
DIY Vintage Galvanized Washtub Shelf
You may have seen a washtub shelf in your travels, this one is from Amazon, but you probably didn’t know just how easy they are to create yourself.
I was lucky to find this beautiful old washtub at my last flea market for $15 and I knew immediately that it was about to become my own washtub shelf.
This particular washtub is only 11″ deep and I’m using a scrap piece of 2×10 for the shelf.
Because the sides of the washtub are slanted you’ll have to take 2 measurements. Measure the bottom of the washtub.
And of course, measure the inside of the top.
Find the center point of both your top and bottom measurements and make sure they align. If you connect your end measurements you should have your perfect angle.
Cut with a miter saw or jigsaw.
Once your wood is cut, make sure it fits and sand your splintery edges.
I’m finishing with my tried and true vintage wax, with just a few drops of black chalk paint.
I first used the vintage wax with black chalk paint on my fireplace mantel to get a railroad tie look and have used it numerous times since. To me, the vintage wax alone gives rather a flat finish, the addition of black paint adds a little dimension.
Once the excess wax is wiped off, the black is much less noticeable.
When the wax is dry, buff with fine steel wool.
One of the reasons I use wax even when I haven’t painted with chalk paint is the short drying time, usually only a couple hours. If you stain a piece, let dry then add a couple coats of oil or poly you could be waiting days for your piece to dry entirely.
With a metal drill bit, on both sides of the washtub, predrill holes in which you are going to insert screws to attach your shelf.
Hang with another screw inserted thru the back of the tub into a wall stud. Stand back and enjoy your handiwork.
An easy DIY, the hard part will be finding your vintage washtub. Or purchase a new washtub at a tractor supply store near you.
Until next time, stay inspired.
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Looks good Joan.
This is really cool!