Don't try too hard to make the antique wood look old.
Antiquing, also called distressing, refers to ways of falsifying the age of wood. Antiquing allows you to age contemporary wood to resemble lumber used centuries ago to craft furniture. Antiquing techniques range from simple to complex. For example, you can use the cissing method where you paint with either an oil-based or acrylic paint. While it's still wet, you splash paint thinner on oil-based paint or water on acrylic paint to create age spots on the wood. If, however, you want to complete a more rewarding, detailed antiquing project, follow the procedure outlined below.
Instructions
1. Study antique wood furniture. You can look at antique wood finishes in stores or at pictures in books. Take notes on the different types of markings and details the wood has acquired over its lifetime and the places where they are most pronounced like the arm rests and legs.
2. Place a handful of bolts and nuts into a canvas bag. Hit the wood in different areas to produce bruises and dents on the surface. You want to concentrate on areas that receive the most wear and tear over the years. For example, if you're antiquing a wood table, concentrate on the table's legs.
3. Spread a water-based stain over the wood. Focus on the distressed areas of the wood. You want to add more stain in those areas to make them darker than the rest of the wood. Let the stain dry then use a shellac sealer to hold the stain in place.
4. Pour water on the underside of an empty tin can and fill it with hot water. Set the container on the surface of the wood for approximately 10 minutes. You want to produce a dark cup ring typically found on wood surfaces. Repeat as many times as you want.
5. Apply pigment, polish and alcohol mixed together to create the illusion of dirt on the wood. Spread the mixture over the wood then use a rag to rub it into the surface. Let the wood dry. Coat the wood with clear polish. Buff in a circular motion then from left to right going with the grain. You don't want the wood to have any sheen left on it. Use wire wool on the wood to dull the finish.
6. Rub a coat of wax paste onto the wood to give it an aged appearance. Let the wax dry.
Tags: antique wood, acrylic paint, over wood, surface wood