Nothing can match the beautiful look of antique wood. However, no one is willing to wait for their wooden furniture and accessories to age naturally. This is the time to apply the wood aging technique. This method will make the wood look worn in no time, changing its appearance in just a few minutes. There are many different ways to make wood look worn, but the basic principle is always the same. Combine the strokes, strokes, and pressures you use to produce a wood look that looks like a precious antique relic, not a cheap reproduction.
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Method 1 of 3: Making Wood Look Outdated the Common Way
Step 1. Sand the edges
Rub the edges of the wood corners with sandpaper. Use only high-grit (fine) sandpaper and vary the pressure you apply to each area for a more natural look. You can also use an sanding machine with a variety of different grits to lightly change the character of each surface.
- You can also work on a flat surface, especially on smooth and shiny areas to remove any new feel to the wood.
- Strategic sanding may be able to make the wood look worn in a short time.
Step 2. Use gravel to make the wood look worn
Place a wooden plank on the floor, then place the gravel all over the wood surface. Place another plank on top of the pebbles, then stand up and slowly step back and forth on the plank. Your body weight will press the pebbles against the surface on both boards, leaving marks in a random pattern.
- Don't just walk on the plank-you can rock back and forth, or jump up and down, depending on how deep you want the wear to be.
- Flip the plank over and repeat this step on the other surface if the end result will show both sides of the board.
- This method can save time if you are handling raw wood, not wood that is already in the form of furniture or other building materials.
Step 3. Cut the wood with a blunt object
Get a hammer, screwdriver, heavy chain, high heels, or something similar and use it to hit the entire wood surface. This will give the appearance of an inward-looking trail that gives the impression of being hit, hit by a falling object, and hit over the years.
- Chains can give a deep, realistic wear effect because the hooks will have a different impact with each stroke.
- Be careful not to overdo it. Too many indentations make the worn effect of the wood seem artificial.
Step 4. Make a caterpillar hole using wood screws
Drive 6 wood screws into a thin piece of board so that the sharp end sticks out on the other side of the board. Hit the screwed wooden plank many times with different strengths. This will create a series of tiny tunnel-like holes that insects make.
Change the position of the screw board or punch the board from various angles so that the resulting holes have different patterns
Step 5. Cut the edges with a chisel
Drive the tip of the chisel or awl into the side of the wood, then tap the chisel with a hammer. Do this all over the wood and repeat the process on all sides, making sure the carvings are made at irregular intervals.
- If you want wood that looks very worn, drill deeper into the surface of the wood to remove all the chunks.
- These faux nicks can give a unique, personal look, especially to tough wood pieces, such as posts, door frames, workbenches, and coffee tables.
Method 2 of 3: Make Wood Look Outdated with Paint
Step 1. Lightly sand the wood surface
Before making the wood look worn, rub the wood with a soft pad or sandpaper over the entire surface. This thorough sanding will open up the wood pores and help the paint to adhere properly. This will give you a finish that will last a long time and not cause problems later on.
- Sand in a slow circular motion, starting from the center and working outwards gradually.
- Fold the sandpaper over to scrub the edges of the wood and scrub back and forth with fine strokes.
Step 2. Paint the wood with a light color
Colors such as white, eggshell, or opal are perfect for this purpose. Don't worry too much about the first coat of paint, you just need to apply paint to the wood, not make it look perfect.
- Apply a coat of primer into the nooks, grooves, and other hard-to-reach areas using the tip of the brush.
- The light color will remain visible behind the layer of paint above it, which will add to the worn effect.
Step 3. Allow the base coat to dry completely
Place the freshly painted piece of wood in a cool, dry location to dry. This can take about 8-10 hours, but it's best to wait 24 hours to make sure the paint is sticking well. If the base paint is completely dry, you can move on to the next phase.
- Do not touch wood that has not dried.
- If you want to show off the natural wood grain (not by painting it), skip to the phase of making the wood look worn.
Step 4. Apply a second coat of paint
Use a lighter color for the top coat to contrast with the lighter base coat underneath. This time, you'll need to paint the entire piece of wood. Use several coats of paint to get the depth and smoothness you want.
- Change the direction of the brush strokes to get the paint into small crevices and other textured areas.
- For a more worn look, apply an outer coat of paint in a pastel color that looks faded, such as brick red, powder yellow, or robin egg blue.
Step 5. Use a damp cloth to wipe the paint off
Wet a soft cloth or sponge, then squeeze out the excess water. Use a rag or sponge to wipe away any paint that's still a little sticky to the touch. Doing so will reveal the lighter paint underneath, which will give the impression that the wood has been repainted over the years.
- Gently rub the paint with very light pressure so you don't peel off a lot of paint at one time.
- If you accidentally peel off too much paint over the desired amount, apply a new coat of paint and start all over again.
- For a more transparent finish, use fine sandpaper after the paint has dried.
Method 3 of 3: Staining the Wood (Staining)
Step 1. Leave the wood as it is
If you like wood that looks like it's natural, you don't need to dye it. A few scratches and smacks will do what you want, especially if you're working with very old antique wood.
Continue the process by applying a clear coat to give the wood a finishing touch
Step 2. Paint the wood to add depth to the color
Dip a brush with soft bristles or the end of a clean cloth in the dye and run it over the wood. Spread the color pigment evenly throughout the wood, and apply an additional coat if necessary. Make sure you choose a color that supports the natural grain of the wood and matches the sensibilities of this project.
- For example, solid chestnut or mahogany colors make wooden drawers look hundreds of years old, while soft tones can be used to give a weathered effect to outdoor furniture or wooden structures.
- Proper staining will mask the dingy wood color, and increase the level of wear you create, which will give the wood a lasting impression.
Step 3. Make the color faded to give it an old look
Immediately after applying the dye, use a dry cloth to wipe any areas that are still wet and remove any excess pigment. The remaining color will seep into the wood grain, which will accentuate its beautiful texture, but give it a worn feel.
- For a deeper color, allow the dye to soak into the wood for a few minutes before you wipe it off.
- It's a good idea to add a little bit of dye until you get to the depth you want instead of adding too much dye right away, but having to remove it some other way.
Step 4. Protect the worn wood you made with a coat of clear varnish
Apply the varnish or polyurethane evenly over the entire wood surface and allow it to dry overnight before applying a second coat. This is to protect the wood from scratches, dust, and exposure to the elements, as well as to adhere the dye you apply.
Use a weather-resistant varnish for wood used or displayed outdoors
Step 5. Allow the clear coat of varnish to dry for 4 to 6 hours
Wait until the varnish or polyurethane is not sticky before you move, install, or handle wood. If you are patient, the results will be much more durable and last for a long time. When you're done, you can enjoy wooden items with a new look that's elegant, simple, and looks vintage!
Clear coatings sometimes take up to 4 weeks to dry completely. During this waiting time, it's a good idea to place your outdoor wood indoors to avoid moisture that could interfere with the drying process
Tips
- Buy used furniture at flea markets, antique shops, or street vendors and give the furniture a new feel with new textures and color combinations.
- Flea markets, lumberyards, and home improvement stores are ideal places to find unused wood that can be used for this project.
- Look for wood that has many unique natural features, such as decayed branch holes, faded lines, and beautiful wrinkle and grain patterns. This feature makes the wood stand out even more once you've worn it out and gives it some color.
- Prepare at least one sheet of unused plank to test various wood-wearing techniques, along with painting and staining, before you apply them to the wood of your choice.
- All modifications you make to a wooden surface are imitation. Thus, new wood will display the same wear and tear as old wood that has lost its original luster.
