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The Different Techniques to Antique Furniture

Antiquing furniture involves distressing, or aging, furniture to resemble furniture created decades ago. The process adds color, details and character to newer pieces of furniture. One technique entails using a fine-point black maker to create specks on the furniture legs and arms to give furniture an aged look. You can also use other, more detailed techniques to change the look of furniture.

Primer
- One way of antiquing furniture requires using primer and at least two colors of latex paint. Also, you need 60-grit and 120-grit sandpaper. Distress the furniture slightly using items like a heavy chain, piece of oak or fencing pliers. Make marks that resemble furniture wear and tear. Apply the primer to the entire piece of furniture you̵7;re antiquing. Allow the primer to dry. Typical drying time takes approximately one day. Use the first coat of paint. Let dry for about four hours. Paint the furniture again using the second color. Use the 60-grit sandpaper to antique your furniture. Lightly sand the places where you̵7;d normally see wear, such as the arm rest of a chair. You want to expose the paint underneath the coat you previously applied. Remove additional paint using 120-grit sand paper in the same spots where you used the other sandpaper. You want to achieve a smooth, weathered look.
Glazing
- Materials for the glazing technique consists of oil-based base coat color, oil-based brush, painter̵7;s tape, cheese cloth, and oil-based glaze. Place the painter̵7;s tape on the areas you don̵7;t want painted. Apply the base coat. Wait overnight for the base coat to dry. Spread the glaze over the base coat. Use cheese cloth to wipe off excess glaze. Paint the furniture with a thin coat of glaze in sections. Rub the cheese cloth over the furniture again before the glaze dries. You want the glaze to leave a haze over the surface areas and enter the furniture̵7;s cracks and edges. Coat the furniture with a clear, glossy coat after the glaze dries.
Paint
- Antique an old piece of furniture with two colors of paint, wire brush, and a rag. Clean the furniture. You may have to use a wire brush when removing set-in dirt and grime. Sand it using sandpaper. Remove the sanding dust using a damp cloth. Paint the furniture using a base coat and let dry. Apply the second coat. Wipe away the second coat before it dries. Leave the second coat in places like the furniture̵7;s cracks and corner to achieve a darker finish. Let dry.
Considerations
- Whatever antiquing option you choose, don̵7;t go overboard. You want the furniture to look aged, not damaged. Use bonding primer first with the glazing technique only if you̵7;re antiquing unfinished or raw wood. When antiquing old furniture, use colors that complement each other, like a beige base coat and an olive second coat.

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