How to Make Yard Ornaments out of Antique Farm Machinery

Getting Started

• 1

  Consider your space. Do you want several antique pieces scattered throughout the property, or just one or two in the front of your house?

• 2

  Decide how much time and money you’re willing to spend, then scour local garage and estate sales, used parts stores, antique shops, online stores and scrap yards. Talk to relatives to find out whether any deceased relatives left your family any antique equipment.

• 3

  Check your neighborhood bylaws or your municipality’s restrictions on what you can have in your yard. Though they may seem like antique treasures to you, your lawn ornaments may look like junk to your neighbors.

Preparing Items for Display

• 4

  Decide whether you’d like to paint the items you find or keep them in their rusted state for a more antique look. While painting and restoring old equipment may make it look nicer, it can take away from its value.

• 5

  Find out if any metal items are made from iron—including wrought iron, cast iron and steel—by using a magnet.

• 6

  Clean iron items using deionized or distilled water to avoid contaminating the metal with chemicals or other substances found in regular water.

• 7

  Paint your iron items if you desire by first checking in crevices to find the original paint; you may be able to match the old color. Strip the surface and clean it with a solvent. Use primer and paint made specifically for use on metals.

• 8

  Clean greasy machinery with a cloth soaked in mineral spirits, first testing on a hidden spot to make sure it doesn’t cause discoloration. If the cloth doesn't do the trick, try sharpened bamboo skewers or even toothbrushes.

• 9

  Scatter your cleaned, perhaps painted, items throughout your yard. Lean old tires on one another or plant flowers or bushes around larger equipment.