After removing the rust with Rust-Oleum Rust Dissolver (I love how quickly this can be done) and cleaning the metal portion, I primed with some left over Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer. After cutting and fitting some pieces to make sure it was what I wanted, I painted it with a car engine enamel product aptly named Cast Iron; (just because I had a can left from my BBQ project).

I cut a piece of plywood to measure just beyond the treadle base for the bottom and the top and then ripped some scrap boards to 3 inches to give me enough room to fit a drawer and paper tray, but not add too much height to the desk. I measured for the sides, back and center divider pieces and did some test fitting. I attached the side pieces up into the top using pocket holes and then attached the bottom using screws up into the sides (since no one would see the bottom). The drawer and paper tray were constructed from some wood scraps that I ripped into 3/8 inch pieces. To finish the edges of the top off nicely, I ripped some 5/8 (the thickness of the desk top) x ¾ inch pieces, which I nailed on. I used stainable wood filler to fill in the nail holes. Then I used the center drawer from the remnants of the cabinet to make a tray on the desk top to hold pencils, etc. I had to had a piece of wood under the bottom in the back to make it level and then screwed it on from under the back lip of the desk top.

I used Rust-Oleum Dark Walnut stain (left from other projects) wiping it off quickly the first time so it would be a lighter shade. I wanted the main area of the desktop to be lighter– for some contrast – so I let the first coat dry. I then taped off the center portion and re-stained the sides and edges until they were dark.

The drawer and paper tray fronts were painted in the same Rust-Oleum Vintage Teal spray paint that I’ve been using on my other projects. I added some fun geometric designs leaving a little of the wood exposed. It was then finished off with Rust-Oleum Polyurethane in Satin.

The desk sits a little higher than normal and for now he’s using an old wooden 24 inch bar stool to sit on; but I have plans to make something else for him.

Treadle Desk