Horse Coat Rack Makeover

Finding a Horse Coat Rack

We are finally starting to get some nice warmer weather around here, and it seems like its getting everybody in the mood to spring clean. I sure have been finding some curbside goodies! One of them is this horse coat rack.

It sure looked like it had had its fair share of wear and tear and was ready for the dump. But I had other plans for it. I knew with a bit of work and some paint I could make it as good as new!

Inspection Time

After bringing the horse coat rack home I decided to take a closer look at the piece. Upon inspection I found out the zebra pattern on the horse was not painted on but was basically just a sticker. And it also had a fracture. No biggie, those were easy fixes.

I also found this on the back…………………………………………

and this……….

After doing some research I discovered Wolf Creek in Eldorado, IA is where this gem was manufactured. They were a wood workshop that sold handmade toys. And if I am correct all the creators would sign their works. Which would mean Linda Savage created this piece in 1988. If anyone knows a Linda Savage please show her this and contact me. I would so love to find out more about her, Wolf creek and this piece!

After inspecting the Horse Coat Rack and figuring out exactly what needed to be done to recreate it. It was time to get to work.

Time to put in some work

First thing I did was to fix the fracture on horse. I applied a generous amount of wood glue on the fracture. I wanted to make sure it was completed coated and the also verify the bond would last. Once I had the wood glue applied I clamped the fracture up and cleaned up any glue that leaked out of the sides.

While glueing the fracture I noticed one of the dowels on the Horse Coat Rack looked like it had been through the ringer. The top of it was uneven and had some gashes in it. So I grabbed my wood filler and placed a generous amount over the top. Then I waited 24hrs for the wood glue and filler to dry completely.

The next day I unclamped the coat rack and checked the fracture. It was all fixed. I even tugged at it to verify it would hold up to anything that would be placed on it. Then I grabbed some 120 grit sandpaper and went to work on the dowel. A light sanding to soften the edges of the wood filler and then I used an 80 grit sandpaper to give it a smooth finish.

A Good Cleaning

Now that the horse was all fixed I gave it a good cleaning to get off the glue that was left behind from the zebra sticker. When ever I need to get off any type of stickiness left behind from stickers I use Goo-Gone! That stuff is amazing. I used to have to scrub and scrub to remove the residue left from the labels on my pasta jars. But once I found Goo-Gone my life became soooo much easier when it comes to my DIY projects, like this one Recycled Jars And Dresser Drawer = $4 DIY Mason Jar Wall Decor/Organizer.

Back to the Horse Coat Rack.

Now that I had thoroughly cleaned the coat rack, all that was left was to paint it. I was stuck on whether I wanted it to be more of a feminine color or more of a color for a boys room. But then it struck me like a bolt of lightning. Why does this horse have to be in a kids room. It would be so fun and creative in the entry of a home. Or in a mudroom.

So I decided to paint it a neutral warm color, and I had just picked up the perfect one. I used Fusion Mineral paint in BayBerry. I absolutely Love Fusion Mineral Paint. Its all-in-one foundation to finish application, really helps me to finish my DIY projects in a snap. And they have a variety of colors to choose from.

Also with the all-in-one application for the Fusion Mineral paint there was no need for primer. So I just applied a couple of coats of the Bayberry paint and the Horse Coat Rack was finished.  

I am so happy with the way this project came out. I think the Bayberry paint color was a great pick for it.

Let Me Know!

What do you think of the color I picked out for this Horse Coat Rack? Let me know in the comments!

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With Love,

Melissa

P.S.

Melissa