Antiquing is a faux painting technique used to turn your new furniture into antiques. It also creates interesting color effects. If you want antiques, but can't afford them or don't want to wait around a hundred years or so for your pieces to become antique, then this learning to antique wood may be for you. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Clean and dry the surface so there is no dirt or oil on it. Then remove any hardware.
2. Distress the wood. If you want to achieve the same look that your beat up antique pieces have, hit this piece of furniture with something. Choose a hammer, keys or rocks. Chisel to shave off some spots to represent wear and tear.
3. Sand the piece to dull the surface.
4. Apply a base coat of flat or gloss enamel. Let dry completely.
5. Lightly brush on a dark brown glaze. While the glaze is still wet, use steel wool to wipe it off and spread into the recessed areas. Or you can apply a transparent antiquing glaze. Let dry only until it starts to dull. Wipe off with a soft cloth along the grain of the wood. Work from the center out to the edges.
6. Let dry completely,and then sand certain areas to expose the wood.
7. Seal the piece with semi gloss or high-gloss varnish. Ensure that the varnish is compatible with the antique finish. This will protect the surface.
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