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    Home » Repurposed Items » Whiskey Barrel Lid Makeover

    Whiskey Barrel Lid Makeover

    Published by Gail | Published June 2, 2017 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    I got this whiskey barrel lid last fall. As I got it out to work on it recently, I saw the $20 price tag and thought “huh”? Surely I  didn’t pay that for this barrel lid. I looked back at my recent finds post to see the real deal. FOUR dollars folks! No wonder I couldn’t pass it up. Smile

     

    vintage whiskey barrel lid

    The Cabin Still Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey barrel lid is from 1961! It was very weathered and definitely needed some TLC.

     

    dampen wood

    The barrel lid needed a good cleaning, but I also knew that by dampening the wood, I would see how the burnt emblem would look after sealing it. Now you can make out the name a little better Stitzel and Weller Distillery.

     

    whiskey barrel lid taped

    The pieces of the barrel lid were taped with duct tape. Now you can see the price. This really made me nervous that I had spent too much on it.

     

    secure whiskey barrel lid parts

    I cut some stakes off to size and screwed them into the back of the barrel lid.

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here *

    minwax polycrylic

    I used Minwax Polycrylic to seal, protect and darken the lettering on the whiskey lid. I applied the sealer with a cheap chip brush .

     

    vintage whiskey barrel lid makeover

    Aren't you loving how it turned out? I wish some of it showed up better, but hey! it’s old!

     

     

    whiskey barrel lid makeover MyRepurposedLife.com

    Check another project off the list! I wish I wouldn’t put stuff off for so long. I wonder what the vendor will think when it lands back at Vendors’ Village?

     

    gail

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    1. Amy

      May 19, 2021 at 11:53 am

      I got a lid and gonna make a sign out of it. There's a charred side to it what can I do to seal that if I wanted to make that the front side of the lid? Wax, polym or does it have to be sanded off?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 24, 2021 at 3:08 pm

        Amy,

        If it's charred, is it black? It's really a personal preference. If the charred wood comes off on your hands, you may want to sand it back a little. Maybe you could start by hand sanding it so you don't remove too much of the patina ???
        You could seal it. I don't think it would be easy to make very many kinds of sign on top of Poly. But you could try wax. I think paint would work over wax, but probably not vinyl. I don't think it would adhere very well.

        good luck, have fun!!!

        gail

      • Warren

        June 18, 2022 at 10:28 pm

        If you want to keep some of the flaking from the charring on there, you can start with a very light coat of deep pour epoxy. And very light brush strokes to spread it out or let it self level

    2. Angie @Knick of Time

      June 04, 2017 at 11:46 pm

      I keep hoping to find an old whiskey barrel lid from Hiram Walker. My dad worked there when I was a kid, but I haven't had any luck yet. I love how you revived yours Gail.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 05, 2017 at 9:17 am

        ohhh, that would be awesome Angie! I wish you lots of luck finding what you're looking for!

        gail

    3. Julie@followyourheartwoodworking

      June 02, 2017 at 5:48 pm

      Cool! I thought you were going to sand it off and paint over it, LOL. So glad you left the lovely lettering and just made it look better. I'm sure someone will love to have it... and for more than $4!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 02, 2017 at 9:37 pm

        I agree with you Julie. I think it will find a home with a bourbon whiskey fan very soon. 🙂

        gail

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