To make new and shiny metal items look old/old, you can make them look vintage with paint. You can also lighten the shine using a destructive agent, such as an acid cleaner, vinegar, and salt. This may seem like a big project, but all you need is a few common household products to make metal items look a few years older in a few hours or so. You can make metal utensils or decorations look amazing like expensive antiques.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Make Metal Look Old with Paint
Step 1. Prepare a new shiny metal item
Most often you will find galvanized metal, which contains a layer of steel to protect it from rust. This process is ideal for items or furniture that you want to make an antique and artistic look.
Step 2. Scrub the surface of the metal object with 80-grit sandpaper (The grit number indicates the level of smoothness)
Use an emery block/handle or a sanding machine for larger metal items. Sanding will remove the shine on the finish. Rub the metal until the surface no longer looks shiny or slippery. Remove any dust left behind from the sanding process.
Apply paint thinner (tiner/turpentine) or vinegar to clean metal surfaces. A clean surface will ensure the paint sticks and lasts longer
Step 3. Pour matte black acrylic paint onto the palette
Dip a sponge brush in water to soften the bristles.
Make sure to only paint in areas/rooms with good ventilation
Step 4. Start painting the metal with very light strokes
Start with the cracks and crevices, then work your way up to the surroundings. Black paint should cover these areas, but with variations to mimic the aging process of the metal.
Step 5. Leave overnight for the black acrylic paint coat to dry
You need to dry the paint completely before applying the next coat of paint. Find an isolated area to keep it overnight. Wash the brush while the paint is still wet to make it easier to clean.
Step 6. Choose an accent color
If you want a galvanized look, buy a matte gunmetal gray and a burnt umber paint. If you want a bronze-like look, buy acrylic paint in a dark yellowish brown (burnt umber) and a reddish-brown (raw umber) color.
- Don't touch as if you have to coat the paint. You can try applying a bit of gunmetal gray to make the galvanized metal look old/old. Next, decide how much, if any, of earthen (umber) brown to add.
- If you want a bronzed look, you'll need to mix a yellowish-earth brown and a reddish-earth brown to create a warm bronze color.
Step 7. Wet the brush
Pour the paint color of your choice onto the palette. The paint color will vary depending on the finish you want to produce.
Step 8. Spread the paint unevenly on the metal surface
You need to create the appearance of an uneven patina. For example, you can make it more gray or bronze around the edges or in the holes.
If you want a galvanized look, you can add a light coat of earth brown paint
Step 9. Wait for the paint coat to dry
For the next 24 hours, keep the metal item in an isolated, well-ventilated location.
Step 10. Rub the edges with sandpaper
Take a look at the old looking metal item, then decide if it still needs a little finishing touch. If you want to vary or age further, do a final sanding of the desired area. Remove the dust from sanding, and the old looking metal item is ready for display.
Method 2 of 3: Making Galvanized Metal Look Old with Acid
Step 1. Prepare the gray or galvanized metal items
This process is ideal if you want the item to appear white, aged, or mineral-coated.
Step 2. Sand the metal surface with the help of a sanding machine or sanding block/handle
Choose 80-grit sandpaper. Rub the surface of the object until it no longer looks slippery or shiny. Wipe the surface of the object with a rag to remove any remaining dirt.
Step 3. Place metal items in an open area or in a well-ventilated space
You may also need to spread a plastic sheet on the ground to protect the object from exposure to chemicals.
Wear safety glasses, gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt. Toilet cleaners can be very strong. These materials can damage clothing and irritate your skin and eyes if you come in contact with them directly
Step 4. Pour the acid-containing toilet cleaner over the metal surface
Hold the bottle with one hand and move the metal object in such a way that the liquid flows over the surface until it is completely coated.
Dip the steel fiber pad in the cleaning agent and rub it all over the metal surface. Be sure to rub the handle/stalk or other similar parts. Use a cleaning agent if necessary until the entire surface is covered
Step 5. Allow the cleaning agent to adhere to the metal in a completely even layer for 30 minutes
You will literally see the aging of the metal right before your eyes. If you don't like the result, let the metal item soak a little longer.
Step 6. Rinse the metal item
You can use rubber gloves to help wipe off the cleaning agent during your rinse. Make sure all chemicals are released and disposed of safely. Dry the metal item before using it.
Method 3 of 3: Making a Brass-Like Patina
Step 1. Prepare metal items
Brass or copper metal is best. This process creates a green copper rust patina. (Patina is a greenish coating on copper-containing metals formed by the oxidation process.) Using the same method, you can use different materials to create more varied colors.
Step 2. Make a solution by mixing three parts apple cider vinegar with one part salt
Make sure the salt you use is not iodized, such as sea salt.
- Pour the solution into a bowl if the metal item is small.
- Put the solution in a spray bottle if you intend to apply this process to a large metal item.
- You can find many other ingredients to make a patina. Chlorides will create a green hue, while sulfides will create a brown hue.
Step 3. Soak the metal item in the solution for 30 minutes
Place the metal object in the solution until it is completely submerged. Let it soak for 30 minutes.
You can also spray the item and place it outside. Spray the solution a few more times over the surface after 30 minutes
Step 4. Remove the metal from the solution
Place the metal item on a rag/paper towel. Leave it for a few hours so that it reacts (turns looking old/old-fashioned). As soon as the metallic appearance is fully formed, you may decide if you need to repeat the process to change the appearance of the metal item again.
Step 5. Spray metallic items with varnish or wax
Spraying will cover the color that has changed on the metal. Once you are satisfied with the coloring of the metal item, immediately coat the entire surface with varnish.
