Why the AMACO Rub 'N Buff 9-Color Sampler Set Holds Up
Nine rich metallic shades in one box — Rub 'N Buff is the kind of craft supply that quietly becomes a household staple once you try it.
There's a short list of craft supplies that genuinely earn a permanent spot in the drawer, and Rub 'N Buff is one of them. If you haven't used it before, here's the quick version: it's a wax-based metallic finish that you apply with your finger or a cloth, buff out, and suddenly whatever you're touching looks like it has an expensive metallic coating. Frames, furniture hardware, candlesticks, decorative letters — the list of things people use this on is basically endless.
The AMACO 9-color sampler is the smartest entry point for most people. Instead of committing to one shade and guessing wrong, you get the full range — five variations of gold alone, plus silver, copper, pewter, and ebony. Once you have the set, you'll start noticing opportunities everywhere. That dated brass lamp? Spanish Copper. The beat-up wooden tray? Antique Gold. The resin pour that needs an edge? Silver Leaf.
One thing that surprises people who are new to Rub 'N Buff is how little product you actually need. The tubes look almost comically small, but the formula is so concentrated that a pea-sized amount can cover a large frame. That's part of why this product has such a loyal following — you buy it once, and it genuinely lasts. The 12-tube set gives you even more runway, with duplicate tubes of the most-used shades so you don't run out mid-project.
It's also worth mentioning how forgiving this stuff is for beginners. Unlike spray paint or brush-on metallics, Rub 'N Buff is very controllable. You build up coverage gradually, so you can go subtle or go bold depending on the look you're after. Mess up? Wipe it back before it fully sets. It rewards experimentation in a way that more permanent finishes don't.
If you're shopping for a crafter, this set makes a genuinely great gift — it's the kind of thing people don't always buy for themselves but immediately love once they have it. And if you're buying it for yourself, just know that once you start, you'll be eyeing every dull surface in your house with new ideas.