Router Table Depot Blog: HOW I MAKE WOOD LOOK OLD Router Table Depot

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Friday, June 5, 2009

I work part time for a production studio that makes all kinds of things for theme parks, restaurants, museums and other entertainment industries. It’s a real joy to go to work everyday and see something grow from a drawing into a huge 3 dimensional object. To see the skills of the people that you work with come to life is the real satisfaction though. Everyone I work with is a true professional… whether it’s with fiberglass, wood, paint or any other of the multiple materials that we use, everyone has their specialty. Here’s one of the things that I like doing.

Since I side-line designing and fabricating exhibits for the local museums in our area, a lot of the time I have to make new construction look old… sometimes it’s easy… sometimes it’s not. Now I’m sure that some of you have projects that would look just a little better if they were “faux antiqued”… but how do you make a new piece of lumber look like it’s 100 years old??? Well read on. I’ll let you be privy to one of my old, reliable methods that can put decades, even centuries, on that project that you’re working on.

ONE WAY TO ANTIQUEVILLE…

I usually construct the entire project, making sure that all of the sanding is finished and the project is ready, minus the hardware. Trunks, sea chests (one of my favorite), cabinets or whatever you’re working on should be at the near completion stage before you begin the process… at least this is the way I do it. If you plan to add “distressing” now is the time to do it… scrapes, dings, dents and other marks that you want to show will show better after the next few steps. Each of us has our own methods of doing this so if you don’t have one at this stage get out a piece of test wood and try out your techniques. Take special care to sand down any rough edges, fresh looking marks or mars, and go deep with your sanding it will look better later. Even wire brushing the wood will do wonders…

FIRST - stain your entire project at least twice, not letting the stain dry before the second coat because you’ll want it as “juicy” as you can get it. This will aid in the next process.

SECOND - Get a cheap can of flat black spray paint (the $.99 variety will do nicely) and spray the edges, scrapes, dings, scratches and other “distressing“ that you‘ve added. Go lightly at first… then using the same rag that you applied the stain with go over the painted areas and work the paint into the wood grain. Now, depending upon how much “age” you want may require a second or third application of the paint. Once it’s to your satisfaction add just a little more stain over the painted areas to work the paint into the grain. You can stretch the paint into the unpainted areas for a nice “vignette” effect. Let it dry. Your project should be to your satisfaction before you start the next process.

THIRD - WAX, Wax, wax… I can’t say it enough at this point. Personally, I use Kiwi brown shoe polish for the first and second coats… yes I said shoe polish! Afterwards I lay on as many as 14 - 20 layers of a good finishing wax to really bring out the beauty of the wood. This process actually seems to push what you’ve done down deeper into the wood. It’s also great for adding age to the dings and other distressing you’ve added because it fills in the areas with a rich look of wear and gentle age.

FOURTH - Now, get out that buffer you got for Christmas and let ‘er rip! Continue to add wax as you see fit. And you’ll be amazed at the look you’ll be able to bring up on this lovely old, “new” antique.

Top coat??? NO WAY!!! I personally love the look of a richly polished piece of woodwork. And once you see yourself, yes you’ll be able to if you’ve put enough effort into this… you’ll agree. Although a yearly touch up may be needed, depending upon where your piece sits and how much wear it’ll take, most of the time you’ll be OK. And yes I did say shoe polish!

Now you can add your hardware and other decorations… wall paper the interior, stickers, etc… etc… You may want to even “antique” them a little too. If you do a process similar to what we’ve just done is not too shabby… a hammer on the metal and a little time do wonders too.

I hope you enjoy this process… with a little practice you’ll be able to turn out great pieces of new antiques… and your friends will be impressed…

You can see more woodworking articles here

by: Router Table Depot

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