by andy castro

How To Create The Look Of Aged Furniture Using Paint

Aged and antique furniture give you many options for creating a unique decor. They look wonderful when mixed with newer pieces in traditional, country and eclectic styles and they can provide an unexpected dash of style when used to accent a contemporary space. Luckily, you don’t have to purchase expensive antiques to get the look of aged furniture; less expensive used furniture that you may already own can be treated to look aged. Or pick up some pieces at a garage sale and make them your own.

Using Paint to Age Furniture
Set up a work table in a well-ventilated area and gather your supplies; you’ll need oil-based primer, 2 cans of latex paint in contrasting colors, paintbrushes, rags, sandpaper and paste wax.

If the piece of furniture is not already clean, wipe away dust and residue and lightly sand the surface; wipe again with a tack cloth and apply the primer. This step will ensure that the paint adheres properly. After the primer is completely dry, apply the first coat of the lighter colored paint working in the same direction as the wood grain. Let it dry 24 hour and they apply a thin layer of paste wax on the areas where a distressed finish is desired. Your goal is to apply the paste to areas that would naturally wear, such as arm rests, the seat of a chair or the edges of a table. The wax application allows prepares these areas for distressing.

Once the wax is dry, apply your top coat of paint and allow it to dry overnight, but the next step should be completed within 24 hours. Lightly sand the waxed areas in the direction of the wood grain; try to create an irregular, natural looking pattern in the way that you allow the color of the bottom layer to show through in these distressed areas. When the piece is distressed to your liking, wipe any residue and seal the entire piece with sealer or varnish.

Creating Aged Effects with Stain
If you like the shabby-chic look of aged white furniture, a coat of brown stain on the surface will give it an aged appearance. You can distress the edges of the painted furniture first with sand paper and they apply your stain with a rag, wiping away the excess as you work. If your furniture is not already white, follow the instructions above for preparing, sanding and priming, and then paint it with your chosen shade of white.

Antique Crackling
An antique crackle glaze is an easy way to create an antique look with two contrasting colors of paint. Apply your base coat, let dry overnight and apply the glaze smoothly and evenly in one direction. The thicker the application of crackling glaze, the larger your cracks will be. Allow one hour for the paint to dry; the finish should then be in the opposite direction of the glaze application. Add a rich patina to any piece of furniture by using crackling glaze and metallic paint over a white or colored base coat.

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