How To Refresh Vintage Sleds
Revive an old runner sled with these tips so you can use it for indoor or outdoor winter decor.
Wayward vintage sleds have a way of finding their way to me! Their well-used, well-loved, tired-out condition speaks of a classic American bygone time that I wish were still here, before technology needed to be carried around in our pockets! Today I want to encourage you to save one (or 4;) of these old friends and help them look their best, so you can use them in your indoor and outdoor decor! Here are my best tips for How To Refresh Vintage Sleds, so you can enjoy them for your indoor or outdoor winter decor.
How to Refresh Vintage Sleds
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When I owned my store, I refreshed many of these orphans and dressed them up with greens, pinecones and scarves every winter. All gussied up, customers would snap them up, excited to lean them up outside their winter entry or sometimes next to their fireplace hearth inside. There’s just something about these vintage runner sleds that appeal to the Norman Rockwell inside many of us. {You find many ideas in my “10 Ways to Decorate a Vintage Sled”}
These 4 kiddos are staying with me, because my Fake Farmhouse needs some of their wintertime charm. Here’s what Mr. Fix-it and I do to refresh vintage sleds, and keep their well-earned character:
The greenish runners on this tall one were unique to me. This sled was structurally good, but critters had tasted of it’s sweetness and it had gone through a bad makeover at some time. The peeling paint hinted at it’s original glory and it’s owner had obviously been possessive of his prized sled.
Refresh a Vintage Sled with Sanding
I got to work sanding the two structurally sound sleds with 120 grit sandpaper in my palm sander {I like THIS ONE, because it fits my smaller hand}. I sanded the wood parts to reveal the original paint and sanded the metal parts to smooth out the rust and give it a brushed effect. {I cut the big pieces of sandpaper Like These to fit}.
Here’s what the metal parts look like after a little sanding:
Sanding the metal keeps the vintage charm and brings out the patina. It gives a great brushed look to the sleds. Once treated to a coat of poly, the rich colors of the metal really come out. {I love THIS Water based poly because of the Satin finish}
With a little sanding, the bad makeover was erased…and I love the white wash effect over the top!
Refresh a Vintage Sled with Minimal Repairs
While I was sanding, Mr. Fix-it was addressing the structural damage, probably caused by many years of fun. I suggested the slats of an old crate we had laying around might be just the right thickness of boards to replace the damaged spots. Having a lot of junk around comes in handy;)
In some places he replaced sections of the boards, in other places he used a board behind to strengthen the cracked boards. We wanted to keep the graphics intact, if at all possible. These sleds are not going to receive rough play anymore, so doing some simple repairs that keep as much of the charm still intact is our goal.
I decided it was easier to just cut the bottoms of these slats off in order to save the graphics on the middle, wider piece.
From the back, here are all the places he needed to structurally strengthen:
It was a little time consuming, but when you find things for free, it’s usually worth the effort!
Refresh a Vintage Sled with Polyurethane
Once he was done I sanded these two like I had the others. I then gave them all a brushed-on coat of poly (because it’s too cold in these parts to spray poly outside in December). The poly just pops all the time-worn character of the wood and the metal. Can you see the difference with the subtle sheen?
I think the variation of wood actually gives them even more earned character. If you like more uniformity, you could stain the wood before you poly. I like things a little wonky. You also could make up some of your own graphics with a die cut machine and stencil them on. I thought “Vintage Flyer” or “Vintage Racer” or “Vintage Speed” could be fun, but I decided to keep mine neutral for flexibility.
Here’s the whole family that will be decorating our Fake Farmhouse:
Shop to get the look:(Amazon affilate links)
100 grit sandpaper (cut in 1/4’s for sander)
Polyurethane (I use this on everything!)
For more winter decorating ideas check out:
“How To Refresh and Style Vintage Skis”
“Add Holiday Flourish to your Outdoor Decor”
The next time you see one of these well-used sleds on someone’s garbage pile…rescue it! They’re made so much heartier than the modern plastic ones, and it will look so cute next to your entryway or fireplace! Enjoy a piece of classic Americana! Hope you enjoyed learning How to Refresh Vintage Sleds!
Sharing at these lovely parties:
I have a small vintage sleds that I want to save but want to now use it as a door decoration. So poly I’d the best to seal it? I don’t plan on parting with it.
Yes, definitely. It will bring out the pretty patina of the old wood also. Enjoy!
Do you sand the runners or leave them looking rusted and old?
I sand them a little to give them that brushed metal look.
If I wanted to add a decal to the sled–a family initial or something–should I do that before or after the poly? Thanks!
You could probably do it at either time, Patti, but I’d do it before so the poly seals it in. Sounds awesome!
I have my little sled from childhood. When I was about 3-4 yrs old, my mom would pull me through the snow along the curb in the street by the light of street lamps. I can’t believe it lasted through 4 more siblings and my 3 children. It’s still in fairly good condition. I love it!
I’m so glad you still have it, Cyndi! Vintage is even better when you have the memories to go along:)
Hi there,
we bought an old farm in northern Alberta and there are many treasures. The one I’m hoping to get your help on is the remnants of an old wood sled or cutter? I’m not sure how to put it back together correctly. I cant find the image online of what it should look like.If I send u pictures , would you be willing to help me figure it out?
There are so many different types, indeed! Have you checked google images? You could post your pictures on my FB page https://www.facebook.com/lorabcreateandponder and I can see if I can help. Otherwise, join a vintage FB group like our Creative Vintage Darlings group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/280976392398831 where you can ask a whole bunch of vintage lovers:)
Wonderful tips and your sleds look great! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! Pinned!
Thanks, Cecilia!
Love those and it was fun hearing their stories and how you did the makeover. Thanks for sharing at our link party!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Oh my goodness, I am so jealous of your sled collection, Lora! They are hard to come by here because they are snapped up fast or cost an arm and a leg. Thank you for sharing how to repair them with us at the Talk Of The Town Party. Pinned to share 🙂
All the more reason you need to make a trip down to MN and go junking with me in the spring, Marie;) I actually just saw a sled for sale online somewhere for $400! We used to sell them at the store for about $45! Maybe I should start selling them online…
really nice. i am a little in love with vintage sleds myself. you and mr. do good work together.
Thanks, Sharon! We do make a good team, though I don’t know if he’s always happy about it;)
So glad you rescued them! They’re beautiful.
Thanks, Lisa! I’m glad they came my way, too!
I love what you did with these…they look wonderful!
Thanks, Linda! It’s nice that I can keep them rather than selling all the good stuff;)
Love that you can always see the potential in the “discard” pile! Amazing what a little elbow grease (& sandpaper+poly) can do. Makes me a bit sad to think of the VERY loved sled I left behind at a sale last spring. Next time!?
Yep, there’s hardly anything beyond saving, Shelly! Which can be a gift …or a curse;) If I can’t put it back together, it’s always fun to take it apart & use the pieces! I’m sure you’ll have another chance at a sled once spring comes!
I bought one last summer at Goodwill. And now it graces the entryway. I was going to put it in my booth, but not this year.
Glad you kept it! I love the idea of a sled decorating the entry of a house in Florida! Too funny;)
Do you know of any shops that would/could restore it for me? its over 60 years old the one that I have!
I would ask around at some local antique stores, Alex. Or ask a local handyman if he could revive it for you.