How I fixed my rusty Christmas tree stand
Geez, I've started this sentence over like five times and it still feels awkward.
Ok.
This is the Christmas tree stand that soon-to-be-ex and I purchased the first Christmas after we got married.
It's a Wal-Mart purchase, circa 1997, and I can remember thinking even back then that this picture looked out of date!
Anyway, it's been in use every Christmas since then.
Oh, wait. Not the year we did Lisey's Cookie Monster tree! That was a fake tree (obviously. It's blue!) and it didn't need the stand.
Anyway. For years now, the red finish on the original Christmas tree stand has been wearing off, and the metal underneath has been rusting.
And for years now, I have been meaning to fix the rust issue. But the problem is, it really needed to be spray-painted, and it's never good weather for spray painting around Christmas!
So I kept putting it away and forgetting about it until the next Christmas.
UNTIL THIS YEAR.
On the advice of my dad, I bought a rust-removing jelly product.
I brushed all the loose rust bits off.
And then it took a couple of applications of the rust jelly to get the majority of the rust off.
I had to use some paint thinner to get the built-up pine sap off, and then I hand sanded to get the last bits of rust off.
I showed it to my dad and he said, "Yep, you can go ahead and paint that!"
I started by spraying it with a rust-stop primer from Rustoleum.
And then I grabbed two red cans of spray paint from a bin that I'd gotten on the Buy Nothing group.
(Remember when I used some of that paint to rehab my mailbox flag?)
The gloss red pepper turned out to be too orange of a color, so I went with the farm implement can. I figure if it's tough enough for farm implements, it will probably be fine for a tree stand. 😉
I did a bunch of thin coats, and I'm pleased to say the stand is looking quite refreshed now.
It has some scars, but I really do not care. The main point of this was to preserve the metal so that the stand doesn't rust through.
I cleaned the sap off of the green ring.
And I cleaned up the green legs too, but I did not bother painting them.
For one thing, I didn't have any free green paint, and for another thing, this part of the stand doesn't have to hold water.
So I'm really not worried about these pieces rusting.
I put everything neatly into the box, and now it's all set for next year.
I know I could just go buy a new tree stand, but I really wanted to fix this one because it's definitely sturdier than some of the newer tree stands that I've seen.
And the can of rust remover and rust primer were definitely cheaper than a new tree stand would have been anyway.
So, I feel good about this project, especially because I happened to have free spray paint.
God bless the Buy Nothing group! 🙂
My first thought on seeing the "farm implement" spray paint was the same as yours: If it will stay on a tractor, your tree stand should be good to go.
If you want a really interesting project, I can send you the tree stand my husband found at our abandoned house next door. The thing must be from at least the 70s. It had a pinhole in it somewhere--from rust:-)--but he wants to JB Weld it and use it next year. I kind of like the metal bucket we've been using for our small native cedar trees, but we'll see.
Ha, well, welding is a little beyond my skill set. I think Mr. Going Country should tackle that one!
@Kristen, JB Weld is a two-part epoxy. You could totally weld this way, too. 😉
Also I just want to say that "farm and implement" spray paint is still just spray paint. It's formulated for outdoor use on metal and not plastic or wood, and it's the right color for an IH tractor, but it's still just spray paint. Good enough is often all it takes, though.
Ohhhhh, I was thinking it was actual welding.
@kristin @ going country, My first thought was "Does International Harvester get a royalty from letting them use its trade name?" I'll bet it does.
@kristin @ going country, I wonder if soldering (sp?) would seal the hole well enough.
I just love that you did this!!
That must be so satisfying. I love checking long-awaited items off the to-do list!!
You did a great job refinishing the stand. Should be good to go for another 25 years!
I love our Buy Nothing group. It has been a great resource for giving away tons of stuff from Mom's hoarder house!
It looks great! The older tree stands are much sturdier than the newer ones.
I have never noticed at his rust removal product at the hardware store. This time of year, I start rehabbing my garden things. I think that I’ll try it on my rusty gate that I use as a trellis. Your dad is filled with DIY wisdom.
@Bee, anything called "naval jelly" is the same.
@Rose,
I’ll have to look for that too.
I gave away our tree stand on our Buy Nothing group and lots of other stuff too. And I have received many nice things also. I have lived in our house for almost 30 years but it never felt neighborly. Since I joined Buy Nothing it does feel so much more caring. Approaching downsizing makes me even more thankful for my neighbors who take and use my stuff. Your post is also a great reminder of how satisfying it can be to get a small project done.
Awesome project! And thanks to your dad for the rust dissolving recommendation. I have a full size Kraft milk can from my grandparents’ farm that I’ve been wanting to rehab for a long time. This product will definitely help!
You work magic with spray paint. I bought my fake Christmas tree in 1998. We still use it every year, so it was $20 well spent!
@JenRR, The year I first stared driving, I found a realistic-looking "Peppermint Pier" Christmas trees at the local Pier One store. It had plastic "needles" on its branches but looked just like the real thing. Mom was getting tired of the aluminum tree, and had me buy it so we could bring out the old decorations handed down in the family. And the ornaments she and day got as newly weds during World War II. She used that tree for almost 30 years, and when she died, I got it. Yes, I still use it if I'm going to have company over for Christmas, which is a rare event these days, having lost almost all of my family.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I love that you still have that tree from Pier One. On the other hand, aluminum trees are highly collectible these days. A neighbor of ours had one when I was growing up, complete with the rotating color wheel light. I soooo wanted one back then, instead of the real pine tree we got every year.
I love everything about this post. Great example of improving what you already have rather than buying new. So satisfying. Thank you for sharing your ingenuity!
AWESOME!!!
What, you mean you DIDN'T spend Christmas morning in a ruffled, floor-length nightgown with perfectly blow-dried hair? My image of Christmas is RUINED!
Also as a funny aside, I'm Jewish and realized this year when I read an article on the increasing cost of Christmas trees that I had absolutely no idea how much Christmas trees cost. I'm Canadian and therefore familiar with the idea of choosing the tree and buying the tree and strapping it to your car and setting it up and disposing of it in January and all that jazz, but I'd never ever considered the cost. You could have told me trees were $20 or $50 or $200 and I'd be like, "Sure, sounds about right." I felt like that meme from Arrested Development where the woman goes, "It's one banana, Michael. How much could it cost, ten dollars?"
Haha, yes, isn't that picture just so so cheesy??
@Meira@meirathebear, HAHAHAHAHAHA best comment award goes to you. Thanks for the laugh this morning 🙂
Huh. Does it make me weird that I've known about naval jelly rust remover since I was a kid? My dad used it on rust. That was the go-to for getting rid of rust as I recall. I always thought the stuff was funny when I was a kid, because I thought of navels when anyone mentioned it.
I agree about modern tree stands, except we found one a few years ago that is the stand to end all stands. We've bought some tall Christmas trees since we built this house (our tallest was 13 feet high) and the tree stand we had wasn't going to handle them. We found one that is large, sturdy, metal, easy to adjust and rated to hold tall trees. Even better, at a yard/estate sale, we found some of those exact same tree stands for sale, at $5 each if I remember correctly. The late owner went all out for Christmas, they said. The stands were $60 in the stores. I bought one for each of my kids, who use cut trees each year. Unfortunately, I can't remember the brand! If someone wants to know, I can see if it's still on the stand.
I had never heard of it until my dad suggested it. I guess I've never had to remove rust from something before.
@Kristen,
My dad picked up and used old bike and autobody parts, old engines, and old grills (who does that last one sound like?). He took a lot of rust off of a lot of things!
I wonder how come it took so long to come up with tree stands that actually held enough water to last for more than one day. My parents' metal one seemed like it was designed for half a cup and filling without spilling was an issue. I bought one of the plastic tub styles when we got married and that holds more like a gallon, maybe more.
We've switched to the Christmas tree stand for the tree with the hole drilled up from the bottom. I don't ever want to go back to the others because setting the tree up is so much easier now.
Oh, interesting! Can you put a link here to that type of stand?
@Kristen, I did a quick search to find what this was called because I didn't know. This blog has a picture and description; I'm not sure where to buy it. I am fairly certain we bought the stand at the Christmas tree farm.
http://realtreetalk.blogspot.com/2015/10/christmas-tree-stands-101.html
Oh, interesting! I have never heard of that type.
@Jody S., We have that same type of stand. It's definitely quick / easy setup- except for this past year when the place we got our tree didn't drill the hole on site. No problem, we drilled a hole when we got home. Hmm. How hard could it be to drill it straight, right? Well it looked hilariously crooked on the stand until some strategically placed shims saved the day. So... Just make sure the tree seller can drill the hole (using their nifty jig set-up to get it right) before buying the tree. Or go the shim route for some laughs. Or maybe y'all are better at drilling straight holes 🙂
@PD, Yep. I wondered what would happen if we couldn't get a tree like this already.
@Jody S., I never knew there were all of these amazing tree stands!
You not only rehabbed the Christmas tree stand, but you made another fond memory! Years from now you'll remember how you painted it and how your dad helped you.
All together now: "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! ... It's glistening once again!"
That's fantastic! We used to have a tree stand just like that and it had the same problem. Kudos for taking the time and remembering to fix it in the spring!
We stopped getting a Christmas tree when we had a pair of kittens in the house and have been too cheap (or lazy) to resume the practice.
This post reminds me of something I've thought about for awhile: things that used to be normal but are now luxuries:
1. real Christmas trees
2. fireplaces that burn wood
3. lawns
4. free checks from the bank
5. grocery stores that take your items out of the cart, bag them for you, and haul them to your car.
6. gas station attendants who washed your windshield and checked your oil while pumping your gas for you
And there are things that used to be considered luxuries that are now normal. But this is Kristen's blog, not mine, so I'll stop.
Kristen, I bet you could make a post or two out of this subject.
@Central Calif. Artist,
This topic could be a good post, if enough readers can remember the “good old days.” Loved your list but suddenly found myself getting sad.
Regarding checks, some stores used to have a counter where you could find blank checks to just fill in. And it just occurred to me, fifty years too late, I bet those boys taking the groceries to your car expected a tip. Oops, I actually didn’t realize, until living in NYC, that everyone expects a tip.
Our tree stand looks exactly like that and was bought almost 40 years before Kristen’s. Still going strong.
@Central Calif. Artist, there are store that still have the courtesy clerks. They bag the groceries, walk you out to your car and put them in your car. You don't have to use them and they get paid a wage to do the job. I don't know if they're supposed to be tipped. The jobs I worked at we weren't allowed to take tips.
@Ginger Bruce, Albertsons, Safeway, and United Supermarkets are some I know.
@Central Calif. Artist,
Small towns.. now it’s a dollar store, a sonic, a gas station, and one more random fast food place.
Was gonna say, that box photo looks straight out of a 1970s JCPenney catalog!
Right? It was definitely not up to date for the late 90s. 1980s at best!
Brilliant save! Your dad reminds me of my late father-in-law, who knew every form of adhesive and how to use it.
We gave up on live Christmas trees after one infested our house with tiny black bugs. Our hefty and manic orange tabby cat also loved to climb up them and ride them to the floor. For years our tree was bungeed to the window frame to thwart his fun. Thank heavens the succeeding cats leave things alone.
Great job and I totally agree that the old tree stands are far better than the new ones that are put out now a days.
I’m totally amazed that the late 1990’s era box is still intact!
It has survived a whole lot, hasn't it? It must be made of good cardboard.
It's a little bent up and I did a little tape repairing yesterday, but it's impressive for being 25 years old.
@Elaine N,
I have my Shirley Temple doll in her original box. She cost $5.99 in the late 50's. I never played with her since my grandmother kept her in her antique trunk for me. Her hair is not mussed nor is she missing her original clothes or name tag. Her box does have a small rip in the plastic window. I might be a collector instead of a user.
Ooo, I'll have to remember to get some of this! I have quite a few rusty items, especially garden decor and tools, that could really be spiffed up if I remove the rust! Never heard of this before, but sure glad you keep spreading your dad's knowledge!
I gave up on real trees because picking one out was always something my daughter and I did together. She looooooved the Christmas trees and sometimes tried to hug them. When she left for college I couldn't bear to buy a tree alone so I got a really nice fake one. In fact, I often think that the last time we picked out a tree together, early December 2012, was the last really happy day of my life. A week later I was crying as I put ornaments up, as my husband had told me he wanted to move out, and I thought, "What will become of us? Where will we be the next time I put a Christmas tree up?"
I can understand why you didn't want to keep picking out a tree by yourself. A fake one seems like a perfect solution!
Holidays and holiday memories are hard when your family has turned out differently than you expected. Much sympathy.
@Kristen, Thanks. The best thing I found was to create new traditions with my kids. It's been OK.
I’m sorry about the first sentence, which must feel traumatic. But, I do like the "soon," for letting you move onward—and upward.
I appreciate learning about that jelly! And, as always, enjoyed the rehab project through your photos. Your Dad should be featured in a post. Mom, too, really for her recipes.
Your dad seems to be an awesome parent. What a gift he is to you.
I remember the first time I said “my ex”. Definitely a weird feeling! And I think if you want to you can start using that term now based on your separation.
Great job on the tree stand!
Yeah, I think that's what feels weird...like, ok, what do I call him here now? And it feels weird to use the term "we".
Just an adjustment.
@Kristen,
How about Mr. XFG
Okay, this made me actually laugh out loud!
I usually refer to "that time I lost 240 pounds of ugly fat," but then we all know I'm a mean jerk.
@Kristen, I came down to the comments to acknowledge that part too. I'm sure each day brings new weirdnesses, freedoms, limitations, and ALLLL the emotions through this process. Sending a hug and lots of appreciation for who you are and for sharing your life and frugality with us <3
AND GREAT JOB on the tree stand!! Impressive 🙂
Good work.
We have some old weights that could use some rust removal and painting . . . but I don't know if that project will ever rise high enough on our list of priorities to actually get accomplished.
I just wanted to say that I like you. I've been reading your blog for a really long time and you have always struck me as a kind and honest person. I know not everyone is perfect, and, of course, you are picking and choosing what you share with us, but for the record, I think you're pretty great. You know, just in case you needed to hear that.
Aww, thank you so much, Becca. You are so kind. <3
Also, I feel like the picture of that tree box is a sociology dissertation catalyst if ever I saw one...
I just love projects like this - so satisfying. And lately whenever I do one, I think to myself "future Gina is really going to appreciate you!". Then future Gina does. (:
Exactly! Christmas 2023 Kristen will appreciate the current Kristen.
Looks fantastic, and I love reading about how you repair & fix things. You are much more creative in that way than I am, and it's inspiring!
Hey, Kristen! Those legs still have exposed metal, which will rust in normal atmospheric humidity, so I’d also spray them with at least some oil, WD40, or a clear lacquer, just to provide a barrier to moisture.
I love your commitment to fixing items! I do the same with most things. I’m curious, is it hard continuing to use items from your many years of marriage? I’m such a sentimental person about items. I would think that with some things I would be fine, but others would have too painful or too lovely (and therefore painful) memories attached.
Hi Kristin, our tree stand is the sturdiest I’ve ever run across. It’s the kind that you plunk the tree in and tighten with screws. We have high, pitched ceilings, so our trees are around 7-8’ tall. The stand has a bunch of rust inside, and I’m wondering if it might be affecting the freshness of the tree. This past Christmas, our tree turned brown really soon. It was the first time we didn’t do choose and cut, so maybe the tree was older? Just wondering if rust might’ve hastened the tree turning dry and brown. Thank you!
You know, I am not sure! I was trying to think about how the iron from the rust might affect the tree, but I don't know enough about plant biology to hazard a guess. I'm better with human biology. Ha.