One of the most interesting ways to add flavor to wooden objects is to age them. In this article, read how to age wood products with your own hands.
Wood is one of the most easily processed materials. This is what makes it possible for manufacturers of wood products to pamper their customers with various options for decorating and finishing. One of the most interesting ways to add flavor to wooden objects is to age them. For such a procedure, it is not so much time that is needed as efforts so that the cherished years or even decades are reflected on the tree in a matter of days.
Brushing
One of the ways that help add age to the young tree is by brushing. This method is actively used in all workshops where artificial aging is performed.
It got its name from the English word brush, which translates as "brush". After all, the main tool that helps to age wood using this method is a metal brush. With the help of such a simple tool, soft fibers are gradually removed from the wooden blank, as a result of which pronounced annual rings begin to appear on the surface. Such a pattern can be observed only on old, worn boards, but here it appears in a few hours. However, simply rubbed wood does not look very aesthetically pleasing, therefore, after the initial rough processing, the workpiece is brought to its final appearance. First, using a special tool, they get rid of burrs on the surface, then the products are sanded,. There is the option of painting different parts in different shades to create a patina effect. The floor, aged with the help of brushing, looks very colorful.
Brushing is usually used for aging rough surfaces: floors, walls, doors. But remember that not every type of wood can be brushed. Pines and larch trees age well with this method. And, for example, such species as beech, birch, maple have an indistinct texture and are not suitable for brushing. Of course, this method cannot be applied to MDF products either.
Faded paint - patina
If you still need to age doors made of solid beech, maple or pieces of furniture, you will have to act thinner and use the patina method.
First, paint is selected that matches the basic tone of the piece of furniture. With this composition, the wooden surface is covered in one layer, after which the wood is allowed to dry. Next, on top of the first layer of paint, a second thin layer is applied. For this, a light tone, up to milky white, can be used. It is important that the second paint is not too light or too bright. The fact is that an overly bright coating will look too new, which will reduce the effect of antiquity.
After applying the second layer, it is also allowed to dry.
When the staining is done, it's time to create the desired antiquity effect. For this, a fine skin is taken, with the help of which scuffs are made on the surface of the tree. It is important to achieve a result when the lower base begins to peep through the top layer, as if the furniture has been painted more than once.
The degree of "shabby" wood can be adjusted independently, bringing the piece of furniture to the desired age.
Wood scuffs
Another way to create fake scuffs is by waxing the wood surface. Individual parts of the product are rubbed with paraffin; before that, the tree should already be painted in an antique style. As soon as the work is done, the product is covered with a new layer of paint, lighter than the base. Then, using a spatula, a layer of paraffin is removed, and the wood is carefully sanded. It remains to tint the wood surface with a stain, and then wax it. With the help of this technique, a plausible effect is created, it has been used for more than a dozen years.
Staining is another common and very effective way to age wood. As a rule, it is also used to treat furniture or doors.
- Start by completely covering the product with a base coat of water-based stain.
- Immediately after this is over, a soft, clean sponge is taken, with which you need to rinse off the freshly applied stain, but only from certain places. First of all, the middle parts of the boards should be processed, while edges, cracks, corners should be left intact. Depressions and hard-to-reach areas can be painted with a paintbrush.
- When the tree has dried, a finishing layer of stain is applied to it, but on the basis of white spirit or other composition, after which the workpiece is allowed to dry again.
- The next stage of aging is filling the wood pores with shellac primer using a brush or the same sponge. This is done to secure the color of the product.
- At the end of the treatment, antique wax is rubbed into the wood fibers using a special metal brush.
- As a result, the surface receives the required texture, and the aging effect will last for a long time.
If you would like to have an aged chair or doors with a patina, but you yourself do not want to do it, you can always buy them in a store where the professionals did it for you.
Learn how to age a tree with your own hands in a loft style at home with your own hands and you can use it anywhere in production: for a wooden kitchen, Provence furniture, tables, etc. The result is a wonderful color that will decorate the decor of any home! The use of modern wood in the design is, perhaps, a win-win option.
This is an incredibly attractive, breathable, pleasant to the touch natural material that has a beneficial effect on the formation of a microclimate in a home, has bactericidal properties, and is useful for human energy. Wooden ceiling beams and individual decor elements will look great in any room.
This wonderful material lends itself perfectly to a wide variety of treatments.: It can be left in its natural form, dyed, aged, and much more.
There is no specific, unambiguous answer to this question.
This procedure is carried out for different purposes, most often it is:
How to make a tree old: brushing
There are many different ways to process wood to obtain the desired result. Brushing, or texturing, is one of the most widely used.
The word brush is of English origin and denotes a brush. From him came the name of the technique, which consists in using the mentioned object to remove the soft pliable fibers of the material. Quite similar processes occur as a result of natural aging, but in this case they take a fairly large amount of time. This method is considered the closest to natural changes occurring with the material.
It gives the wood a distinct woody texture.
What tree can be aged: breeds
It is quite possible to give the surface of a wooden material an aged look with the help of brushing on your own, at home. The problem is that not every type of wood is suitable for such processing.
Maple, cherry, beech, pear, certain varieties of exotic plants do not lend themselves to this aging method.
It is not suitable for products and surfaces made of MDF. What if there is no suitable material available? We'll have to use a different method, a chemical one. Coniferous wood is best processed mechanically.
Brushing is a rather laborious procedure. The main tool for its implementation is an elastic and durable metal brush. You won't be able to quickly change the appearance of the tree with its help, so you can speed up the process.
This will require a grinder or drill with a special hard wire brush.
It should be noted that the use of electromechanical tools for woodworking can be very unsafe. The fact is that during the event, rather strong vibrations occur, which can cause the separation and sharp flying off not only of wooden chips, but also of metal elements.
Therefore, it is important not only to know how it will be possible to age the tree, but also to be able to do it safely, without risking your own health. All activities are carried out in a special protective suit, the eyes must be covered with camouflage goggles or a face shield. The respiratory tract is closed with a special respirator.
Aging chemical treatment
Is it possible to age wood by hand without the use of special devices and tools? You will need coarse sandpaper, with which the surface is sanded. Liquid ammonia (ammonia solution) is applied to the prepared material, from which the tree becomes noticeably darker.
Thanks to this processing, the wood texture becomes more distinct, while the noble darkening gives the material a touch of exquisite antiquity.
Such processing can have a superficial, rather light character.... In this case, a non-coarse polymer brush is used. If the tree is deeply processed, even the annual rings of the wood become noticeable.
Chemical method The main thing is not to overdo it when performing this operation. Otherwise, the result of the expended efforts will not be an elegant textured surface, but loose, indefinite wood.
Regardless of the selected processing method, after a rough initial cleaning of the wooden blank, it is necessary to return to its original aesthetics. Irregularities and burrs are carefully removed from the surface of the object, then it is with a special abrasive brush. Then the material is additionally lightened and given a gloss, for which thin sandpaper is used.
Aged wood effect: patina
Mechanical processing alone is not enough to obtain the desired effect of aged wood. What to do with the material next? You can cover the product with one of the types of varnish. The material looks very interesting after special processing - patination. It allows you to make the surface of the material even more embossed. Patina is a peculiar, unique gloss acquired by the material over time.
Putting on the patina: the process Recreation of it with your own hands requires a lot of effort, and is carried out in several separate stages. What is the patination process?
This is the application of special stains and compounds on the surface to be treated. In each case, they are selected individually, in accordance with the desired shade and color of the product.
The compositions should be applied in such a way that they end up in the pores of the wood, which open during mechanical processing.
The essence of this method is to make the deep pores of the material appear contrasting and dark against the general background, lighter. To carry out this procedure on your own, you need to choose a paint that matches the color. The prepared surface is completely painted over with it, and, without waiting for complete drying, part of the top layer is removed with a cloth or sponge. Such wood looks noble and looks like an old one.
But patina is not the only way to get a similar or similar result. It is absolutely wonderful to age products with the help of special enamels. This method will allow you to get a real work of art, which outwardly differs little from genuine antiques.
A layer of enamel of a certain color is applied to the surface. When it's dry, it's time for the next stain. For secondary application, you will need a composition of a different shade, and a more liquid consistency.
When the treated rock is completely dry, its surface is easily processed with sandpaper. In some places, the initial layer shows through, forming elegant abrasions.
Toning and varnishing
The patina process must be completed with tinting. For its implementation, you will need special formulations containing resins and natural ones. As a finish, a double or triple varnish coating of treated wood is used. After drying, the surface is treated with a soft cloth to give a special shine.
Such varnishing fixes all previous manipulations, gives the product a finished, complete look.
And although the process is quite complicated and time-consuming, everyone can master the art of working with wood.
The main thing here is to carefully study the technology, understand the order of the stages, and strictly follow the instructions.
Secrets of good brushing: how to age wood
How to correctly conduct the brushing process so that the result is pleasing to the eye? You need to know some of the nuances of the process.
Aged wood: use in the interior
Wood treated in a special way cannot be found in every home. The fact is that it is not enough to simply age the wood.
The ability to correctly use it for interior decoration is of great importance. But the use of the described brushing method allows you to make completely unique products, in fact, exclusive.
These can be individual pieces of furniture, or whole sets and headsets.
Chests of drawers, candlesticks, bookshelves, antique sideboards, frames for mirrors and paintings, country furniture and kitchen sets look especially interesting. This way of processing wood is perfect for the manufacture of individual doors and partitions.
The wood brushing method is excellent for adding a special effect to flooring and parquet boards. Often, such material goes to the author's decoration of the walls of saunas or home baths, billiard rooms, retro cafes, bars and non-standard premises.
Set of chairs and tables Various methods of wood aging technology are not a secret today. Tossing- not the only method, there are others. Between themselves, they differ in the amount of time required for the implementation of the process, as well as in the complexity of the technology. But no matter what method is used to achieve the desired effect, in any case, aged wood is capable of creating a completely unique atmosphere of warmth and comfort in any room, ennobling the interior with the sophistication of antiquity.
Recently, the question of how to age a tree has been relevant. And this is primarily due to the fact that such wood processing has been widely used both in the design of interior details and in the decoration of modern furniture. Even the most inconspicuous wardrobe, if the tree is artificially aged, will acquire its own interesting history and will compare favorably with its factory counterparts. Consider a few secrets of how to age a tree with your own hands.
Under natural conditions, it takes a long time for a wooden cabinet to acquire the noble stamp of antiquity. Add to this the effects of ultraviolet radiation, changes in humidity and temperature, mechanical damage and the work of woodworm beetles. We don't have much time left. Therefore, we will replace all natural influences with artificial ones, but in the end we will achieve a very similar result. Artificial aging of wood combines two processes: mechanical surface treatment and subsequent coating with paints and varnishes.
Impregnation of aged wood
In order to age a tree, besides the tree itself, we need:
- steel brush (hand);
- a set of brush attachments for a drill or angle grinder (brushed, plastic, sisal);
- sandpaper of different grain sizes;
- set of brushes;
- White Spirit;
- decorative impregnations for dark wood, for example, the Pinotex and Belinka trade marks;
- azure "Belinka" (white);
- sponge;
- steel wool;
- vinegar;
- clear nail polish;
- acrylic paints;
- craquelure varnish.
Do-it-yourself semi-antique wood processing can be done in many ways. Below are some simple yet effective tricks.
Brushing (from the English brush - "brush") is a special technique for aging wood, in which soft fibers on the surface are removed with a metal brush, and thus a texture pattern is created, which is subsequently enhanced by toning.
Sanding wood with a steel bristle brush
First, consider how to age wood if the surface to be treated is small and there is no need to create a deep relief. In this case, aging does not require the presence of electromechanical tools and can be done manually using a steel brush. The brush moves strictly along the line of the fibers.
For rough brushing, they resort to mechanical processing of wood with the help of attachments for a drill or angle grinder (angle grinder). First, a rough selection of soft fibers is made using a metal brush. It is important to remember that the movements of the brush should be made with the same pressure and along the fibers. Failure to do so could damage the solid annual rings.
Then, to remove excess pile, a plastic brush with inclusions of abrasive material is used, and for the final polishing, a sisal-coated brush (can be replaced with fine sandpaper). At the end of brushing, the product is thoroughly cleaned of sawdust and dust.
Preparation of wood after aging for painting
Further aging of the wood is carried out by applying tinting. For tinting, use a dark textured coating "Belinka" and a brush (or roller). A few minutes after staining with a sponge, carefully remove the top layer of paint, reveal the wood pattern. After waiting for complete drying, we fix the result with transparent varnish.
If you want to get a more complex texture, namely bleached wood, after the first layer you need to reapply a layer of “Belinka” blue, but this time in white. Then, just as gently remove with a sponge and secure with varnish.
There is another simple, but no less effective way to obtain aged bleached wood. To do this, after brushing, white glaze "Belinka" is applied to the wood, after which the surface is treated with fine sandpaper and covered with a protective varnish.
Artificial aging by brushing with subsequent painting is advisable when decorating large interior elements, such as ceiling beams.
Multi-layer staining
Artificial aging of wood in this way gives an excellent result when used to decorate pieces of furniture.
Before painting, it is recommended to apply "traces of time" to the wood surface. These can be scratches, small chips, abrasions, dents, wormholes. The specifics of such work may require the use of a hammer, mallet, nails, hand-held metal brush, etc. Important! If you want an object to look authentic, do not forget that the most vulnerable places of furniture are its corners and protruding parts. And there should be a sense of proportion in everything!
Painting aged wood in several layers
At the end of the mechanical aging process, the product is covered with a layer of dark tinting "Pinotex". Due to the fact that the substance has a thick consistency, in the future you can get an interesting effect if the layer is uneven. When the coating is dry, it can be lightly rubbed with sandpaper or a wire brush.
The next layer is a white translucent "Belinka", which is applied in such a way that the dark base is visible through it. After the glaze has dried with a metal brush, a contrasting texture pattern is created with movements along the grain. To make the texture softer, the wood is once again covered with a white glaze, but this time half diluted with white spirit.
Use for aging wood open fire
There is another way to do the aging of a tree with your own hands. For this we will use a gas burner. Annealing can be performed with or without preliminary brushing. In any case, the wood is exposed to open fire, which gives it a rich color. After that, the texture is revealed with sandpaper, and the result is fixed with a protective varnish.
Artificial aging of a tree with an open fire
In addition, you can remove soft wood fibers with a more intense firing. Then, in order to develop the drawing, you need a steel brush.
When carrying out work with an open fire, fire safety measures should be observed.
Applying steel wool and vinegar
Do-it-yourself wood aging using vinegar and steel wool is based on the chemical reaction of these substances and its subsequent effect on changing the color and texture of the wood surface.
First, you need to place steel wool in a glass container with vinegar, a reaction will begin, the solution will change its color. The intensity of the color depends on the duration of the reaction. We will not dwell on the nuances of the mechanical preparation of wood before painting, they are considered in detail when describing the previous methods.
Using salt and steel wool to age wood
Before applying the resulting solution to the product, the surface must be treated with brewed black tea. Tea is known to contain tannins, which, when reacted with vinegar, will make the color of the wood more intense. Tea, like vinegar later, is applied with a brush.
Then the tree is covered with the resulting solution. As soon as the solution hits the wood, the surface immediately begins to darken, gaining color. It takes several hours until it dries completely. It is possible to apply one or several layers, depending on how intense the color you need. After finishing painting, the surface must be protected with wax or transparent varnish.
The aged wood obtained in this way perfectly imitates old wood.
Getting craquelure on a wooden surface
The craquelure technique is a set of sequential actions that allows you to artificially age the painted surface of wooden furniture, to give it a cracked look. Such aging of wood can be done in several ways, the simplest of which is as follows.
We get craquelure at home
A layer of acrylic paint is applied to the prepared wooden surface. The color of the paint is chosen taking into account how you see future cracks. Each time, before proceeding to the second and subsequent stages, it is necessary to wait until the surface is completely dry.
Further, the paint is covered with craquelure varnish. The width of the cracks directly depends on the thickness of the crackle varnish layer. Then a second layer of paint is applied, always matte. The paint is applied quickly, in one layer, the direction of the strokes is the same. After that, the surface of the tree is covered with a network of cracks.
To preserve such a coating, processing with a protective varnish is required.
These are just a few tips on how to age wood at home. In practice, it is also possible to use wood stains and other textured coatings. There are also technically more complex tricks to get aged wood.
Staining artificially aged wood
At the same time, do not forget that sometimes old boards literally lie at our fingertips: in the closet, in the country house or at our neighbors. And it can be much easier to restore and use a real old board than to artificially aging a new one.
Do-it-yourself wood brushing is an interesting technology that allows you to artificially age a tree. The natural aging process takes decades. But now, with the help of special tools, this effect can be achieved at home quickly and without significant material expenditures. Aged material is ideal for classic, vintage and rustic decor.
DIY wood brushing: how the process is carried out
Residents of modern cities increasingly prefer styles with a brightly emphasized individuality in the decor of the room: classic, vintage, rustic and country.
The main detail of such interiors is wood. Thanks to this material, the design of the room acquires uniqueness and inimitable charm. But for a classic and vintage style, wood in its original natural form is not suitable. In this case, aged wood is best suited, which has a more attractive and noble appearance. Such material is suitable for the manufacture of any decorative element: a vintage lamp, a wooden chest of drawers, stylish doors and window frames, fireplace cladding.
Under natural conditions, the aging process of a tree is delayed for tens of years, since the original patterns on the surface of the wood are formed slowly and unevenly. Therefore, this material is rare and expensive. But among modern technologies there is a simple and quick way to artificially aging wood. This process is called brushing. Interest in this method is shown not only by lovers of luxury vintage furniture, but also by those wishing to diversify the interior of country houses.
Do-it-yourself wood aging (brushing) is a decorative technology for processing wood products, in the process of which an artificial effect of antiquity is created for an ordinary wooden surface. The method gets its name from the English word brush - a brush. The aging process is also called wood structuring.
The artificial brushing method is based on the difference in hardness of the layers that make up the wood. In the process of work, the soft light layer is removed. As a result, the areas become embossed, which gives the material a special look, inherent only in fairly old trees.
Types of safe finishing materials for finishing premises, their specificity and features of use, prices.
Process automation: machines and machines for brushing wood
The mass production of artificially aged wood requires quick work. Some stages of wood processing can be mechanized, which will simplify the work of obtaining aged wood. This will require variable speed drills and special brushing machines.
Let's consider the most popular models of specialized techniques for structuring a tree.
Festool rustofix ras 180 stripping router or brushing machine for brushing wood. Together with this tool, you can buy brushes for brushing wood. They are of three types:
- steel wire brush for primary processing of boards;
- synthetic bristle brush for intermediate sanding;
- sisal or hair brushes for polishing the back surface of the product.
The Makita 974 sander is used for brushing wood. But during work, it may be difficult to process areas on the corners of the part. Therefore, at the joints, it is recommended to use a special angle grinder with different attachments or use a nylon brush on the grinder for brushing. This brush is highly wear-resistant and allows you to process the ends, edges and contours of parts with complex shapes.
The Felisatti AGF 110 / 1010E sander is suitable for processing both flat and uneven surfaces. The tool comes with nylon and metal brushes.
Useful advice! It makes sense to buy a machine for brushing wood only if large volumes of work are planned. Brushes for brushing wood can be purchased either with a machine or purchased separately.
How to age a tree with your own hands: technologies
The aging process opens up the widest possibilities for the master to change the structure and color of different types of wood. Before proceeding directly to structuring, the wood must be prepared. The material for brushing must be free from defects, notches and irregularities, and the moisture content must be 10-12%, but not more than 15%. If the tree does not meet these characteristics, then the wood fibers will break during processing, and a beautiful result from structuring will not work.
Let's consider in more detail the process of how to age a tree at home. Working with the material can be divided into several stages.
Before starting work, it is necessary to perform the initial processing of the part, namely: moisten the wood. This will prevent dust from spreading throughout the room during operation.
Next, you need a hand brush for processing. Depending on the hardness of the wood, we select the hardness of the metal brush for roughing. The bristles of the instrument should easily remove soft surface fibers, but should not damage hard ones. It is necessary to move the brush in the direction of the fibers.
If you decide to automate the processing process using a brush for brushing wood on a grinder or sander, then it should be remembered that the movements are carried out along the fibers. It is necessary to move the instrument with such an intensity that the fibers are effectively scraped out.
Care should be taken when choosing the speed: too fast brushing speed can lead to baking of the wood. When using a hand tool, this problem does not arise, but more effort must be made. Also, hand processing will take a long time.
Useful advice! It is better to select the speed on a separate small sample of wood. The optimal number of revolutions is 1500-2200, but for different breeds it may differ.
Then we carry out the primary grinding of the part. To do this, we use a polymer brush with an abrasive applied to it. This step will remove roughness and scraps of fibers from the surface of the part. By removing all unnecessary, it is possible to assess how deeply and efficiently the structuring of the wood is performed. If necessary, the grooves can be further deepened, making the structuring more distinct.
At the next stage, you can think about the decorative design of the part. For this, indentations and grooves of arbitrary shape are made with a chisel in different places of the part. In appearance, they will resemble cracks that have appeared naturally.
Then the final polishing is carried out. To do this, you need a sisal or hair brush. This tool for wood will give the details a finished look, fully revealing all the decorativeness of the texture. For manual processing, instead of a brush, fine-grain sandpaper with an abrasive surface is used. It will allow you to make a perfectly polished workpiece surface.
Then the wood must be dried well. It must be completely cleaned of dust and thus prepared for further painting and varnishing.
The use of stain will allow the product to age by creating contrasting textured patterns. A generous application of the composition with a quick removal of excess will paint over the soft fibers and leave light areas with hard fibers. Soft fibers quickly absorb paint, which means they are colored, while hard fibers do not have time to absorb the pigment during this time, so they remain light. Wood painted with gold or silver paint looks especially beautiful.
Against the background of the natural color of the wood, this pigment creates reflections on the surface of the part in the sun. This gives the product an original decorative effect and luxury. The product will look especially presentable if the wood is patinated - painting the deepest cracks with a darker paint.
At the final stage, the product is polished again to remove the roughness and unevenness that appeared after dyeing.
Useful advice! The varnishing is carried out on completely dry and cleaned wood. For painting brushed parquet, a special parquet varnish must be used. This will allow the finished coating to maintain a presentable appearance and performance for a long time.
Wood brushing: features of the chemical structuring of wood
Brushing with the help of chemistry is rare, even though the use of chemically active compounds greatly facilitates the process of artificial aging of wood. To carry out chemical treatment of wood, you must have special knowledge and skills in working with chemicals. In addition, the method has a disadvantage - it is not always easy to buy the necessary reagents.
For the chemical structuring of wood, acids are needed: hydrochloric and sulfuric, alkali and ammonia. Reagents applied to the surface of the material corrode soft fibers. The master only has to scrape off the unnecessary wood.
Stages of chemical wood brushing:
- Surface grinding and cleaning from dirt.
- Apply chemicals to the surface of the part with a thin layer. During chemical structuring, it is necessary to monitor the evaporation of reagents. If necessary, it is recommended to reapply them.
- When the chemical acts, that is, softens the outer fibers, the part must be rinsed under running water and the remaining reagent removed with a soft bristle brush.
- Next, the tree must be thoroughly dried, painted or varnished.
The availability and demand for brushing allows you to perform this method at home. When structuring wood, it is imperative to adhere to safety rules. The tools and the wood brushing machine should be handled carefully and carefully. All artificial structuring processes must be carried out in special protective clothing, goggles and gloves. If during work antiseptic solutions are used or too much dust accumulates in the air from the wood, then you should work in a respirator.
Brushing a wooden surface is an unusual way to make a wood product more beautiful, unusual and attractive. This method is very popular among interior designers and ordinary people, since everyone can artificially age wood. It takes a little time and effort to get luxurious furnishings or a chic, original, antique-style ceiling. For the best effect, you can patinate the furniture.
Artificial brushing of wood: the cost of work
The main task of brushing a tree is to create and emphasize the uniqueness of the texture of the surface of the board. The result is a material with a clearly developed pattern of natural material. The procedure is suitable for many types of material. The cost of standard brushing is 350 rubles. per sq. m. When ordering additional painting, the cost increases. The price of the work depends on the selected type of wood, as well as on the size of the board.
The cost of each stage of artificial aging is usually calculated separately. You can order separately grinding or just impregnation. The most profitable option is a full brushing service from the beginning of work to the final coating with the purchase of the material. It is possible to perform artificial structuring from your material.
Workshops that are engaged in brushing wood carry out an individual calculation of the cost of processing, depending on the type of wood, the size of the product and the list of services.
Brushing is performed on any kind of wood materials:
- bar;
- lining;
- strips;
- block house;
- planks.
Scope of wood structuring technology
The structuring method is very popular in the manufacture of interior items and room elements. Such wooden products will become an original addition to classic and vintage interiors. In addition, the advantage of brushing technology is the ability to create exclusive items on your own. In addition, this method belongs to the category of simple processes available to everyone.
Fireplaces, shelves, columns, wall panels, and aged wood are used as ceiling beams with brushed boards. This material creates a unique ambiance for living rooms and halls, cafes and restaurants. The interior design is filled with aristocracy and luxury, and the aged wood creates warmth and comfort in the room.
Wooden furniture with brushed elements looks stylish and sophisticated. Artificial aging and patina of wood with your own hands allows you to make absolutely any furniture: wardrobes, chests of drawers, pegs, beds. The use of brushed elements in furniture and interior design has no restrictions or prohibitions - it all depends on your imagination and creativity.
Quite popular lately. Antique interior items are very exquisite and beautiful, but not everyone can afford it, sometimes the price just goes off scale.
Designers have long come up with ways to give new things an aged look without spending large sums of money. There are dyes for wood, and antique metal paint is also made. So there is a choice in this matter.
Today we'll talk about how to make antique wood and metal. Also on the video in this article and the photo you can get additional information that can greatly facilitate this work.
Antique paint on wood is a way to turn the most ordinary things into a highlight of the interior and an object of admiration. You can paint any items: furniture, doors (see) and decorative accessories.
Aged wooden and metal products look especially realistic. The choice of technique for creating the aging effect is also unlimited. The most popular are those methods that allow you to realize the most daring ideas at home with your own hands.
Surface preparation
Any item that will be painted must be pre-treated.
Making the basis for applying the dye
So:
- First of all, the product is cleaned. Varnish, paint or any other coating must be completely removed (see). Also, fittings or other interfering parts, if any, are dismantled. They can also be aged or replaced with vintage ones.
- Then, to remove all large irregularities, the smoothed surface is ground first with coarse-grained emery paper, and then with finer one.
- An already sanded object is cleaned of dust and other contaminants that can interfere with the uniformity of the future coating.
- The last stage of preparation is coating with an antiseptic primer... It will protect against rotting, mold or corrosion, and will also help future paint to firmly adhere to the product.
- It is not recommended to putty small irregularities.... And even vice versa. If the surface is perfectly flat, then you can artificially add small cracks and chips. They will add realism to the future product.
- After preparation, you can proceed directly to the creative part. Be sure to experiment in less visible areas first to see if you like the result.
Modern designers offer a variety of techniques for giving wood products an aged look. For each individual item, you must choose the most suitable method.
Weathered and shabby surface effect
This method is also called brushing. This is a fairly common method and is great for furniture or wood products.
In order for the wood to acquire a shabby and shabby look, it is necessary:
- Apply to the prepared surface and dry completely. It is better to choose matte shades, this will give the product the appearance of antiques that have been gathering dust on the shelf for many years.
- Create natural fading with fine-grain emery paper or a metal sponge. Thus, the tree will acquire a relief and texture.
- Clean the surface from the formed dust.
- Apply a second thin coat of paint.
- For a brighter worn effect, individual places can be additionally treated with abrasive material.
- At the final stage, walk with fine-grained emery paper over the entire painted surface.
To achieve this effect, it takes not so much time as labor, so that in a short time traces of decades appear on the tree.
Crackle technique
Another effect can be achieved with a special craquelure varnish. Under the action of the composition, a pattern of small cracks forms on the paint. The product takes on a sunburned appearance when the coating cracks and peels off. Craquelure is perfect for wood products, furniture items, and even for doors and glass.
If you use a special craquelure varnish, then you need to follow the instructions:
- A layer of paint is applied to the cleaned product. The cracks in the final work will be named after this background color.
- After drying, the product is varnished for craquelure strictly in one direction.
- The base color paint is applied on top. Under the influence of the finishing layer, thin cracks form on the surface.
- At the final stage, a transparent varnish is applied to protect the coating.
You can achieve the effect of cracks without buying an expensive craquelure.
To do this, you need to complete only two steps:
- Cover the surface with any paint (except water-based paint).
- When the first layer dries slightly, you need to apply acrylic of the main color. Due to the fact that the final layer dries faster, cracks will appear on the product, through which the base layer of paint will show through.
Attention: Craquelure as a decoration method allows you to complement the interior with furniture and interior items in Provence or country style.
Patina effect
Many antique metal objects acquire a specific blue-green tinge. Due to the long-term influence of atmospheric precipitation, a patina is formed (see).
To achieve an antique effect, a special paint is used - patina.
To get high-quality coverage, you must comply with the following conditions:
- Initially the wood is varnished. You should choose varnishes that form a film that makes the surface strong and wear-resistant.
- After drying, the product is covered with a very thin layer of paint with a patina effect.
- After at least 30 minutes, the entire surface is treated with a metal sponge or abrasive paper. The stronger the treatment, the more pronounced the effect will be.
- Wipe off all dust with a dry soft cloth.
- At the end, varnish is applied.
Each product with a patina effect brings uniqueness to the interior and does not need special care.
Coloring effect
Multi-layer staining gives wood products a life-worn look.
What is needed for this:
- It is recommended to artificially inflict all kinds of minor damage. Drill holes in random order and at different angles that mimic the moves of grinder beetles or bark beetles. You can beat off with a hammer, pierce with an awl, walk with a saw. The main goal is to give the wood an antiquity relief.
- The surface is covered with a thin layer of paint of the main color to show the wood pattern.
- Abrasion is created with emery paper or a wire brush.
- The second color is applied with light brush strokes. You can blend the paint in places to make it look more realistic.
This method is based on the color and texture impression of old wood.
Pollution effect
Many items in the process of use acquire natural abrasions, giving them an outdated look.
- It is quite easy to achieve this artificially. In places where scuffs should be, apply hard wax in one direction and with intermittent movements. Then the product is varnished.
- Dark wax applied to the indentations in the wood surface multiplies the antiquity effect.
Protection and care of aged items
In order for things created by your own hands to please as long as possible, it is necessary to protect them from external influences:
- Wax or wax-based mastic can be applied to wood surfaces. They will perfectly protect water-based paint from damage and extend the life of the product. Use a soft dry cloth or sponge to evenly wax the item and rub it as needed.
- If the surface of the object will be used intensively, then in addition to waxing, it is necessary to cover the wood with a matte acrylic varnish. It will have to be updated over time.
- Aged items do not require much maintenance. They must be wiped with a damp, lint-free cloth, and use special polishing agents to add shine.
Attention: Proper protection and care will help preserve the product, and it will delight the creator for a long time.
Aging metal
Many people also make products out of metal. But not always a modern product can fit into the overall interior of the building. These are especially doors and gates (see). Here, too, it is quite possible to give the effect of antiquity. These are either dyes for bronze, or imparting an aging effect to the metal.
Imitation of expensive metal
Items made of precious metals make the interior sophisticated, but not everyone can afford them.
Modern shops offer a wide range of paints with imitation bronze, silver or gold. They are safe, easy to use, withstand high temperatures and protect the substrate from rust.
Metal products can be painted in one tone, or you can try to achieve a deeper coverage:
- Initially, all contaminants are removed from the metal product and degreased. Then comes the primer treatment. This will improve the adhesion to the base color.
- In case of monochromatic painting, you can immediately cover the product with metallized paint in several dense layers.
- If you want to achieve the effect of an old metal, then after a monochromatic staining, all the grooves are tinted with a darker paint. After complete drying, you need to give the product a time-worn look. To do this, light paint is applied to all corners and protruding parts with a dry brush. Finish the work with a transparent varnish finish.
Antique metal effect
Many decorative styles suggest the presence of interior items with traces of time. Antique items are very expensive and require restoration and special care.
The best way out of this situation is to independently create the effect of aged metal:
- On a dry and clean prepared surface, it is better to apply metallized paint with a brush, with careless movements.
- After drying, the product is evenly coated with a craquelure primer. During the drying process, a transparent polymer film is formed.
- At the final stage, craquelure is applied, which will add cracks and give the object the appearance of an old, corroded material.
Which way to age the items is not chosen, the main thing is that the finished product brings joy and harmoniously fits into the interior.
Paint is applied for semi-antique bricks or wood is painted semi-antique, preparation of the plane is extremely important. Only then the dye will lay down evenly and efficiently. The instruction will help you avoid mistakes in this work.
