Thrifted Wood & Metal Sleigh Decoration Makeover

November 13, 2022

Photo of a thrifted Christmas sleigh decoration.

This wooden and metal sleigh Christmas decoration was thrifted by my mom several years ago.

I decided to give it a makeover!

(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I used for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Photo of a thrifted Christmas sleigh decoration taken apart for painting.

I took the sleigh apart by unscrewing the metal skis from the wooden sleigh.

I roughed up the wood finish on the sleigh with 220 grit sandpaper.

Photo of the metal bottom of a thrifted sleigh decoration.

The bottom curlicue sleigh bottom was already gold, but I didn't like it as is.

Photo of a tube of Antique Gold Rub N Buff.

I pulled out a new tube of Antique Gold Rub N Buff.

Photo of a metal sleigh decoration bottom with Antique Gold Rub N Buff.

I rubbed the gold wax onto the skis of the sleigh. I love the look of the antique gold wax much better than the plain gold in the before photo above.

Photo of a wooden sleigh decoration being painted with black chalk paint.

While the first coat of wax was drying, I brushed two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Caviar onto the wooden part.

Photo of 4 mini Christmas pattern stencils from Old Sign Stencils.

I pulled out my Mini Star stencil from the Mini Christmas Pattern stencils from Old Sign Stencils.

Be sure to check out all of the awesome Christmas stencils from Old Sign Stencils HERE. New for this season Pallet Tree, Windowpane Check, Woodenville Trees, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Pencil Christmas Trees, and Large Snowflakes, along with my favorite Christmas Sweater Pattern stencils too.

*Old Sign Stencils has provided me with complimentary samples. All opinions about these fabulous stencils are my own.

Photo of a mini star pattern stencil being added to the sides of a sleigh.

The star stencil was a great size for the sides of the sleigh.

I pounced on the stencil pattern using Metallic Accents Paint in Soft Gold. I moved the stencil to the other side to cover the whole side. I tried to keep the stars all random.

Photo of thrifted sleigh decoration after chalk paint and Rub N Buff.

I liked the star pattern so I waxed the wooden part with Dixie Belle's Best Dang Wax in Clear. I added another coat of Rub N Buff to cover any spots missed on the metal bottom.