How to Beautifully Patina Wood Furniture

Study old wooden furniture with real patina. This will give you an idea of the sort of texture you're trying to replicate on your own pieces. Patina is all about texture, and that texture includes all the nicks and bruises of time.

Chip off small pieces of the furniture with a hammer and chisel. Focus on areas that would naturally see heavy use, such as the legs or bottom areas of the furniture. Use your chisel to make dents and scratches on the furniture, indicating use over time.

Wrap a length of chain around the furniture and pull it back and forth. Repeat this process over a few areas of the piece to create irregular dents, nicks and scratches.

Sand the surface of the furniture with 100-grit sandpaper. Sand lightly with the grain of the wood to create subtle signs of age. Go against the grain and apply pressure to further age the finish or paint of the furniture.

Create an abrasive chemical solution by combining drain opener, lye, sodium hydroxide and water. Use roughly 50 percent chemicals and 50 percent water. Wear rubber gloves and avoid contact with your eyes. Place a drop cloth in your work area to collect chemical spills or splatters. Spread the solution over the surface of the furniture with a rough-bristled paintbrush or a lint-free cloth. This acidic solution will tarnish wood, creating an instant patina. Allow the piece to dry completely.

Dampen a lint free cloth and wipe the surface of the furniture. Allow it to air-dry.

Wax the furniture with furniture wax. Use a wax with high beeswax content and select any color you wish for your piece. Wax in a circular motion with with a lint-free cloth, such as a cotton terry cloth. Apply up to three coats of wax; there is no need to wait for the wax to dry between coats. Waxing regularly deepens the patina over time.