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48 Comments

  1. Beautifully done! I’m about to embark on this exact project. Thanks for this article 🙂

  2. You did an absolutely incredible job on this cart! I love it!! So funny to run across your post as I just bought pretty much the same cart about a week ago and am also going to paint it to give it new life! It’s not quite as rusty so seeing yours and the beautiful result is very encouraging! I almost bought yellow (Rustoleum if course!) but bought a “sea”blue instead but I really think either would work. Thanks so much for your inspiring post and keep up the great work!

  3. Hi Amanda!
    Thanks for this post! I just picked up a rusty utility cart for my classroom and it needs some sprucing up! Quick question, did you do anything about the rust under the shelving? Or, any suggestions about what I could do about it? I just want to be sure it is safe since it will be going into my 3rd grade classroom.
    Thanks so much!

  4. The best part of this cute makeover? Your terrific personality. Thanks for making it worth the read and showing us the finished product. I’m excited to see what else is on your blog.

    1. Aw, thank you so much!

  5. It turned out beautifully! I love the yellow.
    I have a bar cart that has a nice rusty patina going on.
    Does Rust’ Oleum have a clear coat spray that won’t change the patina/rust color that’s on my cart? I need the spray to also stop the rust progression, and make it safe to use the cart?

    1. Thanks, Lisa! They do have a clear coat that I’ve had good experience with. Here’s a link on Amazon – they have a gloss version too, but I assume you’d prefer matte for a rusty piece. 🙂 That should work well for you!

  6. This is absolutely gorgeous and the color is perfect! I would’ve definitely been a bit nervous to take this on but, it’s awesome that you did. What would we do without Rustoleum? No idea 😀 Pinned!

    1. Thanks, Angie! Rustoleum is definitely the best!

  7. Great success! I have a similar piece that could use some help. Two questions, if you may? Did you take the legs apart from the shelves to get at rust that might be in those joints? And did you prime the undersides of the shelves?

    Thanks much. I had NO idea something so rusty had a chance at a life other than “rusty” yard (or basement!) art.

    1. I didn’t take the legs apart – I probably could have, but I just left that alone. And yes, I did prime and paint the underside of the shelves as well.

  8. hi there!
    i love the project.
    i am in the process of making the same thing.
    but i have a question
    where can i buy new cute wheels for my cart?
    my old cart is mini so like a kids size.
    any ideas where i can oder some?
    also can i get the paint anywhere?

  9. We’ve used this spray paint to fix up our little 16 ft boat and 2 old cars…its so durable!!!

    1. It’s the only spray paint I’ll use!

  10. Hi Amanda,
    The cart looks great! I have an idea for the lady who loves yellow. How about painting a giant sunflower on the fence behind the cart? You know, a large brown center and yellow petals.
    Just a thought.

    1. Thanks! That’s a fun idea!!! 🙂

  11. LouAnne Lynn says:

    Great job, Amanda!!!! I love using spray paint too, so much faster than hand painting. I didn’t know that the heavy duty Rustoleum Primer existed. I will look for it next time I shop.

    1. It’s perfect for jobs like this! And yes, this primer is the BEST!

  12. I think you did a fine job repurposing the cart, but that fence………yike! needs some tlc.

    1. Yup, sure does. It’s an old fence. 🙂

  13. Sheila McCahey says:

    It looks fabulous, love the Yellow! Please show how your father fixed the hole in the rusty metal bar cart.

    1. Thanks! I’ll talk with him about it and track down the photos! 🙂

  14. My parents had a bar cart like this when I was growing up. It wasn’t as rusty as yours and they both loved the old, rustic look of things so they never refinished it. My mother used it to store some of her house plants on because she had so many. In my teenage years, our front room looked like a green house!

    Thanks for sharing! Your cart came out beautiful!

    1. I love that idea, too! Thanks, Kate!

  15. I picked up an old cart at the thrift store last summer to use as a drink station on our patio. But it wasn’t very attractive, and so I decided to get rid of it. However, it takes us awhile to get things done, and it’s still sitting in the garage. Now you’ve inspired me! Thank you for sharing!

    1. Thanks, Cherryl! You should definitely give it a shot! 🙂

  16. What cute transformation. It looks brand new! I love that happy hour sign too! Sharing on Twitter! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Have a great week!
    Kim

  17. Wow – you really transformed this piece. I can’t believe how rusty it was to start with and how amazing it looks now!!

  18. Wow I love the cart. The yellow is a beautiful color and so summery. Rust-Oleum paint is the only spray paint I use. Thanks for sharing how you transformed this cart.

  19. This is incredible! I never would’ve believed you could make a rusty old cart look *that* good! My hubby hates rusty things, but with this primer and paint, he’ll never have to know 😉

  20. What a fantastic makeover. A afternoon and some great paint you have a $200 or more beverage cart. Also the lines of this old rusty cart are so vintage and beautiful, much nicer than the newer “knock offs”

    Love this post thank you for the inspiration. Pinned.

  21. I absolutely love your bar cart! I love the yellow so much. And Rustoleum is my favorite spray paint. I use it way to much, but I’ve never tried that rust covering primer stuff. I’ll add that to my list! Beautiful job.

  22. Awesome! I actually didn’t know this was a thing. I’m a DIYer..why didn’t I know. Maybe because I just pass over anything rusty so I didn’t have to clean it?

    IT LOOKS AWESOME!

    1. Thanks! I LOVE it! 🙂

  23. You have a created a masterpiece. You have brought life to an old rusty cart that now has new life. Such a colorful project and Rustoleum is good stuff
    Maria

  24. Wow! What an amazing transformation, I don’t know if even I would’ve saw the potential in that piece before!

  25. Ok, where the heck did you get that adorable little happy hour sign?

    1. It’s from the Dollar Spot at Target! $3!!