Amaco Product Review
Rub 'n Buff Metallic Finishes
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| April's Review |
Penny's Review |
Tammy's Review |
Stephanie's Review |
Pomaika`i's Review |
Review by AprilWith so many creative crafting products on the market today, it's always a plus when you find an innovative new product that can be used for multiple projects like restoration, home decor antiquing, and even scrapbooking. Rub 'n Buff Metallic Finishes are the perfect example of a quality crafting product that can serve a variety of purposes. It was created by Amaco, a company that is one of the oldest crafts materials manufacturers in the US. Amaco is well known for craft supply products and development, and I was really looking forward to reviewing their new Rub 'n Buff metallic finishes!
For this review I received five tubes of Amaco's Rub 'n Buff Wax Metallic Finish. The colors were very impressive and came in Gold leaf, Ebony, Ruby, Silver Leaf, and Autumn Gold. The autumn gold was similar to a rich bronze color, while the ruby was like a deep sparkly copper color. Both the gold and silver leaf colors were gorgeous and had more of a matte metallic finish. Each of the tubes were 1/2 fl. oz (15ml) in size, were smooth to the touch, and easy to hold. On the front of the Rub 'n Buff tube, you will find the name and color of the metallic finish inside, the product number, and a warning that it's combustible. The backside of the tube displays information on how to use the product, all warnings, and the Amaco business number and website address. The cap on the tube screws on, and the top of it is also used to puncture the end of the tube. Amaco's Rub 'n Buff is a unique product that can be used to antique or decorate any surface or material. It can be applied to any clean, dry surface as well as over previously painted surfaces. Crafts, frame finishing, restoration, home decor, stenciling, and faux finishing are a few of the things this product could be used for. It's available in 20 different colors, and one tube covers up to 20 square feet. After applying it with your fingers or a soft cloth, it dries quickly and is then ready for buffing which leaves the surface with a radiant finish!
I was anxious to try it on a variety of surfaces and I wanted to see how well it worked on scrapbooking embellishments. For my first layout, I started by coloring a plain sheet of kraft paper with the ruby Rub 'n Buff. After using my fingers to apply the ruby color in a rubbing motion, the plain piece of kraft paper turned into a spectacular deep copper cardstock that glittered. I also used the ruby Rub 'n Buff to color the metal photo clips, the decorative metal button, a couple of the stickers that I thought were too bright, and the chipboard letters. The ruby color on the chipboard letters really added the perfect touch and turned obnoxiously bright colors into elegant letter colors that coordinated beautifully with all the other embellishments.
Title: A Priceless Photo
Products used:
Wax Metallic Finish (Amaco: Rub 'n Buff)
Patterned Paper (Daisy D's)
Cardstock (Hobby Lobby Kraft Paper)
Stickers (Daisy D's)
Ribbon (Daisy D's)
Die Cuts (Daisy D's)
Chipboard Letters (Daisy D's)
Glitter Glue (Ranger)
Pens (American Crafts, & Staedtler)
Metal Button (Dove of the East)
Rhinestones (Imaginisce, & Cell phone bling)
Metal Clips (7gypsies)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)
In order to try out every color I received, I used the ebony, gold & silver leafs, and autumn gold on metal snowflakes on my second project. The consistency of the ebony seemed a little different than the others and it didn't seem to stay on quite as well after buffing, however I still really liked the end result after using it. I wanted to use a long decorative chipboard piece but I didn't know if the silver leaf would cover the pattern or come off transparent. To my surprise, it totally masked the pattern and I ended up with what looked like a distressed faux metal piece.
Title: Snow in March
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Wax Metallic Finish (Amaco: Rub 'n Buff)
Patterned Paper (Creative Imaginations)
Glitter Glue (Ranger)
Pens (Sakura Gelly Roll)
Rhinestones (Wal Mart Cell phone bling)
Stickers (Making Memories)
Transparency (Heidi Swapp)
Metal Snowflakes (Pottery Barn)
Chipboard (Pebbles, Inc)
Thread (Target Embroidery Floss)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)
I really liked how easy the metallic finishes were to use, how quickly they dried, and the fact that they didn't rub off afterwards. They did seem to have a slightly strong smell after opening the lids and while using them, however I am pregnant right now and a little overly sensitive to smells so it could just be me. The coverage of this product was very impressive, as a small amount of the metallic finish goes a long way. I was worried at first that the whole tube might be gone after completing a couple of projects, but I quickly realized one small tube would last for several projects and it's quite a bargain at only $4.49 a tube! I always enjoy discovering new craft products and mediums that can be used on a variety of projects like home decor and scrapbooking layouts. I would definitely recommend Amaco's Rub 'n Buff to scrapbookers, artists, and crafters looking to add a little spice to their home decor!
Review by PennyRub 'n Buff Metallic Finishes are a unique blend of imported Carnauba waxes, fine metallic powders and select pigments. The finishes come in convenient 1/2 fluid ounce tubes that are available in 20 colors.
Rub 'n Buff is easy to apply. Simply rub a small amount of the finish onto any surface with your finger or a soft cloth, then buff to a beautiful luster. It is ideal for restoring antiques, stenciling, home decor or craft projects.
It is a medium that may not be thought of as a scrapbooking tool, but I had fun incorporating it into my scrapbook pages. I started my first project by using letter masks to outline the title with marker, then removed the masks. I used a short stipple brush to apply silver leaf Rub 'n Buff inside the lines. This method worked quite well and had a nice finish though it had a slightly variegated appearance.
Title: Numero Uno
Products Used: Rub N Buff Medium (Amaco-silver leaf)
Cardstock
Patterned Paper (Scenic Route, Scarlet Lime Kit Club)
Tags (Tinkering Ink)
Masks (Heidi Swapp)
Stickers (Adorn It)
Crayon (Crayola)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Glue Runner)
I used ebony colored Rub 'n Buff on a piece of Grungeboard for my second project. This time I used my finger to rub the finish onto the surface. The finish felt tacky to the touch for several minutes but seemed less so after some additional drying time. I also used my finger to buff the finish. This worked fine, but I did discover that later handling would easily smudge the finish. I believe some sort of fixative spray may help protect the finish from scuffs or inadvertent transfer in the future.
Title: Beware
Products Used: Rub N Buff Medium (Amaco-ebony)
Cardstock
Patterned Paper (October Afternoon, Glitz Designs)
Grungeboard (Tim Holtz for Advantus)
Tags (Making Memories)
Stickers (Cosmo Cricket)
Buttons (Buttons Galore)
Fiber (ScrapGoods.com)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Glue Runner, Elmer's Glue Stick)
I washed my hands with soap and water and retained a good amount of color on my skin afterward. Even a good scrubbing with a brush did not remove it all. Because of this, I recommend the use of a stiff bristle brush or soft cloth for the application process. I believe it might also have helped with the tackiness of my grungeboard project and the ultimate buffed finish that I achieved.
Overall, I was very pleased with Amaco's Rub 'n Buff and will continue to use it on my scrapbook pages. I'd like to experiment some more with the finish and stability on different surfaces. There is a long list of craft projects using Rub 'n Buff on the Amaco website that provides some additional ways to use Rub 'n Buff to create some outstanding projects. It's worth a look to see all of the ways Rub 'n Buff can be incorporated into your craft projects.
Review by TammyAMACO (American Art Clay Company) – a company that has pioneered craft products since 1919! When you have been in business for this long, you know you must be doing something right. Did you know that AMACO manufactures almost 100 products for art education and that nearly every school child in America has come in contact with an AMACO product during their elementary & high school years and possibly even college?
As you may have already guessed from the name, AMACO (American Art Clay Company) is widely known for their various types of clays, ceramic and glass kilns, potter's wheels, and Glazes for home, studio and school use. But, this company is about more than just clay, they also have Fabric Dye's, Paint, Scrapbooking products, Art Emboss products, and Rub 'n Buff Metallic Finishes.
When I received the Rub 'n Buff products for my review, I could not help but think that I probably used these products when I was growing up and crafting with my mother. Each ½ fl. oz. tube was individually packaged and the tube was colored to represent the color of the finish. I also liked the fact that the name of the color is written in "easy-to-read" letters at the top of the tube.
Rub 'n Buff gives a lustrous wax-metallic finish when buffed with a soft cloth. The Silver Leaf and Gold Leaf seemed to give the most opaque finish, while the Autumn Gold, Ruby, and Ebony, provided a more transparent finish on my projects.
The Rub 'n Buff seemed to adhere to most any surface that I used it on, including my hands. If this is an issue, you may want to use gloves, although I did find that the color did wash off my hands with soap and water and a little scrubbing.
One of my new hobbies is metal embossing. I love the look of embossed metal but I also like the metal to have some various shades of color to add interest and depth to my work. This is not always easy to do since not all mediums will easily adhere to the metal. I began by embossing a pattern of leaves onto a band of metal. Once my embossing was complete, I used the Autumn Gold and Ruby to give color and depth to my embossed metal. I found that it really brought out the detail in the embossing and it gave my piece a warm feel.
Title: Fall Candle
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Rub 'n Buff (AMACO)
Metal (K & S)
Stamps (Stampin' Up)
Cord (Misc)
Candle (Michaels)
Once the candle was complete I needed a stand to match. By using a soft rag and a pouncing motion I was able to achieve the distressed look on this clear glass candle holder. I used the same colors of Rub 'n Buff on the candle holder as I did on the metal band but I also added a little bit of the Gold Leaf for a little extra shimmer. Once the Rub 'n Buff was dry, I then used my soft cloth to buff the surface which gave the project a lustrous finish.
Title: Fall Candle and Stand
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Rub 'n Buff (AMACO)
Metal (K & S)
Stamps (Stampin' Up)
Cord (Misc)
Candle (Michaels)
Glass Candle Holder (Anchor)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)
The Rub 'n Buff is quite amazing because surfaces that are generally hard to add color to, are now so simple! This product will easily adhere to most any type of surface.
I wanted to find out how well the Rub 'n Buff would work on my scrapbook pages but I knew I would need to have some sort of depth or dimension to really make the Rub 'n Buff stand out. I cut out the bracket from black Prism cardstock and ran it through an embossing folder. I then mixed a small amount of the Silver Leaf Rub 'n Buff and Odorless Paint Thinner on my paint palette. With a soft rag I picked up a small amount of the mixture and gently swiped over the top of the embossed bracket. I was not expecting the results that I achieved – the bracket looked like old embossed metal! I then used some undiluted Silver Leaf Rub 'n Buff along the edges of the bracket. I love it when you unexpectedly achieve a really cool look!
I also wanted to add a little distressing to my layout so I used the Ebony Rub 'n Buff and my soft rag to add a dark edge around the photo mat and the patterned paper.
Title: Bar-B-Que Sauce?
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Cardstock (Prism)
Patterned Paper (Flair)
Rub 'n Buff (AMACO)
Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
White Gel Pen (Ranger)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)
While working with the AMACO Rub' n Buff products, I used a white square ceramic tile for my work surface. Because I am not the neatest crafter, traces of the Rub 'n Buff were left on my tile. When I tried to wipe it away I found that it was permanently stained. This was not a bad thing because now I have found a product that I will be able to use to add color to these tiles. The next project idea is already brewing!
The AMACO Rub 'n Buff is not just for antiquing frames, it is a whole lot more! If you are wanting to add color and/or depth to your project, I would suggest picking up a couple of tubes of the AMACO Rub 'n Buff.
Review by StephanieI had never heard of Amaco Rub ‘n Buff products before this review, so I was quite intrigued to see the see the products and experiment. While I know that Amaco products clay and pasta machines for clay making, I was unaware that they also made this really exciting product.
Rub ‘n Buff is a “wax metallic finish” that you simply rub onto a surface with your finger, then buff with a cloth to achieve a nice finish. Sounds easy enough, right? I received 5 gorgeous colors: Gold Leaf, Autumn Gold, Silver Leaf, Ruby and Ebony. Each tube contained ½ ounce of product – not very much, but a little goes a VERY long way. After creating all my review items I haven’t even made a dent in the tubes! Each tube was individually carded denoting the color of the product as well as instructions for use.
I was definitely interested in this product, but I wondered what I would use it on. So I decided to experiment with some pieces of chipboard, metal and acrylic. I was quite impressed with how Rub ‘n Buff worked on each surface. Check out my results.
The snowflakes were originally gold and the brads were blue. Adding the Silver Leaf totally changed the color so that they could be used on my card. I added Ruby to the acrylic flowers. While it gave them a nice color, they still retained their transparent look. Adding Autumn Gold to the chipboard really added some nice shimmer.
Title: Cards
Products used: Rub ‘n Buff (Amaco)
Stamps (Stampendous, Inkadindadoo)
Embossing Powder (Stampendous)
Chalk (Craf T)
Acrylic Flowers (Maya Road)
Mesh (Magic Mesh)
Pattern Paper (Cosmo Cricket, DCWV)
Brads (Creating Keepsakes, Making Memories)
Snowflakes (Nicole Collection)
I have been holding onto those cute little tin boxes that come with chipboard and acrylic pieces and decided to alter one to create a gift for a friend. Using Ruby I applied it to the interior and exterior of the tin, creating a nice touch of color. It was very easy to apply to the tin, then buff to a nice finish. I chose to create a faux distressed look by using a little extra pressure in some areas to expose the metal. I added some flowers, stickles and leaves then created some note cards - an inexpensive gift was created in no time at all.
Title: Gift Tin
Products used: Rub ‘n Buff (Amaco)
Tin (Maya Road)
Flowers (Prima)
Clay (Polyform Products Corp.)
Veined Rose Leaf Embossing Cutters and Craft Foils (Lisa Pavelka)
Stickles (Ranger)
Then I decided to try a larger surface with more contours to see what would happen. My fireplace andirons have been looking really, really awful for the longest time and I have been looking to replace them. Since I had nothing to lose, I decided to see what would happen if I applied Autumn Gold Rub ‘n Buff to the andirons. Whoa!!!!!!! Amazing is not the word. This product completely changed the look of my andirons – they are amazing and I definitely do NOT need to replace them now! The first photo shows how the andirons look BEFORE and the second photo shows how the andirons look AFTER applying Rub ‘n Buff. How amazing is that!
Title: Andirons
Products used: Rub ’n Buff (Amaco)
Well I must say this product is not what I expected, and I am very pleased with the results. I never would have thought any product could have changed the look of my andirons to such an extreme that I no longer wanted to replace them. Rub ‘n Buff is very easy to use. You can layer it thick or thin depending on the results you are seeking, then buff it to a nice sheen. I loved using this product and would suggest you try it. You will not be disappointed. Thanks Amaco for a great product that I will be using again and again.
Review by Pomaika`iAMACO is the American Art Clay Company. I had not heard of this company before this review, but when I visited their website, I found that I have already used some of their products in my projects. AMACO's product list is large and varied with the largest categories having to do with all types of clay and clay related accessories, however, I also found a wonderful assortment of arts and crafts items as well, ranging from flower embellishments to foil for embossing.
The product I received for review is "Rub 'n Buff" a Wax Metallic finish that comes in .5 fluid ounce tubes ($3.79 each). I received five tubes, one each of Autumn Gold, Gold Leaf, Ruby, Ebony and Silver Leaf. Each tube comes packaged in molded plastic on a cardboard hang tag. According to the product information on the back of the tag, Rub 'n Buff is a blend of Carnauba waxes, metallic powders and pigments "that create a finish no paint can duplicate". You can use your fingertip or a brush to apply. After drying, buff the surface for a nice shine.
Rub 'n Buff is a combustible product and should be used in a well ventilated area. If you are sensitive to paint thinner like smells, don't even think about using this without a respirator mask. I was able to remove Rub 'n Buff from my hands with a few vigorous washings with soap and water. To remove it from other surfaces, you will have to use acetone or xylene. You can wash brushes with turpentine or AMACO Brush Flush, soap and water does not work.
I had only one difficulty, when I went to use the Gold Leaf tube, the clear solvent kept coming out without much of the gold pigment when I squeezed. I tried shaking the tube, but that didn't help. Finally I solved the problem by taking a toothpick and "stirring" inside the tube. I noticed that this was not a permanent fix, so I might have to do this each time I want to use the Gold Leaf. I had no similar difficulties with any of the other colors. They all flowed very well.
I used Ruby Rub 'n Buff on a thrift store frame that stared out forest green in color. It was very easy to apply with my fingertip for the large areas, and a small brush for the hard to reach areas. I used only one coat because I wanted an antiqued look rather than a guilded one. I was very surprised at how little of the wax was needed. A few coats will be needed for total coverage, but still not very much compared to conventional paint. Rub 'n Buff dried very quickly, in a matter of minutes. I took an old sock (all I had on hand) and buffed the surface. Buffing was easy, I didn't need to use much pressure and I didn't have to rub the surface very long. Just like when you wax your car, only much easier!
I loved the way one coat of Rub 'n Buff looked on my frame, very antique-like. I added some stamped images with Stazon ink and embellished my frame with a couple of buttons I treated with Rub 'n Buff. I either didn't let the buttons completely dry (plastic is non-pourous, so needs longer to dry) or the surface is not one that works well with Rub 'n Buff, because when I went to buff the buttons, most of it came off. I actually liked the look it left, the buttons looked "antique" rather than metallic. They matched the frame, but did not look fake.
While working with Rub 'n Buff, the smell is strong, but after drying and buffing, and sitting a day, I can't smell anything chemical on my project. Just for fun, I added some alcohol ink around the sides and edges of the glass, then to fill my frame, I found some dried flowers and leaves I had pressed and backed them with some black cardstock. I had no idea in advance how this frame was going to look, I was just experimenting, but wow, I really like it! Rub 'n Buff is pretty cool stuff!
Nature Frame
Products used: Cardstock (Prism) Rub 'n Buff (AMACO)
Stamps (Inque Boutique)
Other (Thrift Store Frame, Buttons)
Adhesive Zots (Thermoweb)
One of the first things I thought of when I received my Rub 'n Buff was that I wanted to use it on a gourd. I was sure that it would work, and it did! I drew a few leaves on my mini-gourd and filled the outlines in with Gold Leaf and Autumn Gold Rub 'n' Buff. I even experimented with shading the edges of the leaf with the other color which turned out really well, just like painting. The outlines were achieved with a wood-burning tool. I had to burn a few of the veins a couple of times to get down to the gourd through the Rub 'n Buff. I left the buffing for last. It was really fun to watch the leaves turn from dull to shiny after buffing! I added some beads to the ribbon hanger. The beads were originally silver, but I used some Rub 'n Buff to match the gourd. A very simple way to match embellishments!
Leaf Ornament
Products used: Rub 'n Buff (AMACO)
Ribbon (Offray)
Other (Wood Burning Tool, beads)
Talking Rocks
Products used: Rub 'n Buff (AMACO)
Polymer Clay (Premo)
Metal Punch Stamps (Pittsburg)
Wow, this review was really fun! If you are looking for a way to create antiquing, guilding or metallic accents on altered items, paper, clay or just about anything, get yourself some Rub 'n Buff. It looks better than the acrylic metallic paint I have used in the past because of it's texture and the way it covers a surface. After buffing, the sheen is gorgeous! Remember to work in a well ventilated area! Rub 'n Buff opens up a whole new world of creating and altering! Way Cool!
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