How to "Redoux" a Bar Cart and Add a Party Bucket

I had so much fun putting this piece together.  Hopefully you will be inspired to try it out too!

Here is what you will need:

• An old bar cart, maybe a piece of MDF to expand the surface of the top, or if the top is ugly (as in my case)
•  A piece of thin MDF (used for the lid) 
• A handle or two (I ended up only using one) (purchased from a Home Supply Store)
• 5 small screws (to attach MDF to top if you are doing this step)
• Dry Deck or Sandable Nail filler
• Bolts and nuts to hold handle in place that will fit through holes of handles
• Jigsaw and Drill
• Carpenter Pencil for Tracing
• Galvanized Bucket that will be big enough to suit your needs and fit on the top of the bar cart
• Primer of choice, and Spray Paint Color of Choice (for Bucket), paint color of choice for Bar Cart 
• Paint Pen in your color of Choice (I used black to make the lettering stand out)

 I began by putting the MDF down over the bar cart


and securing it with 5 wood screws, then I used one coat of Zinsser Primer


I primed it first, then filled the the Screw Holes.  I don't like to make extra work for myself.  I always sand after priming, and I have to sand after applying the Dry Deck, so this way, only one sand!

While I was waiting for the primer to dry, I sprayed out my bucket, then used it to trace around the top so I could make a lid.

 Once I had a tracing completed, I used a drill to make a pilot hole for my jigsaw blade to enter.  This makes it easier than trying to force the jigsaw through the wood (I think)

After I cut out the round, I sanded the edges and primed it on both sides.

Now back to the bar cart.  Painted it with three coats of "Free to Me" google paint.  I have a Yellow and Red thing going in my back yard, so this is what I went with.

In between coats of Yellow, I turned my attention to the lid.  Sprayed it on both sides with Rustoleum brand "Paprika".

After the paint on the lid had dried, I installed the handle by calculating the center of the round, (roughly measured from end to end in an "X" fashion and marked the Center.  Then I put the Handle Down and made pencil marks where the holes should go for the bolts. 

Drilled holes for the bolts, added the handle, then threaded the bolts through and tightened the nuts on the other end.

Bar Cart all dry now!  Three coats of  Polycrylic Spray, will protect it nicely from water splashes (but not a heavy rain, this is a water based product).  This is a great product to have on hand when you just want a "quick" finish.

Now for the fun part.  Took my now Red Galvanized Bucket inside and added the stencils.  I knew I wanted large "Popping" Letters, so I chose Standard Stencils you would use to just mark a generic number on a home.  I like the industrial look of these stencils.  I applied them one at a time, and let the letters overlap.  After the paint had dried, I used a Paint Pen in Black, (mine was "Elmers" brand and can be purchased at either a Craft store or most Home Supply Stores)  to outline the letters and really make it POP! 

Added a basket I had on hand, sprayed it the same color as the bucket, and we are ready for a party!  Now, who is bringing the Diet Pepsi and Chips?

DON'T FORGET TO COME BACK TOMORROW TO LINK UP YOUR FABULOUS "REDOUX" PROJECT!  

au revoir - GTC