Faux Metal Furniture Painting Tips

Crackle Technique

• Crackle finishes work best when the metal furniture receives a properly prepared surface to which the paint can adhere. Begin by sanding the furniture with a fine grit sandpaper. In areas that are intricate and difficult to reach, use a liquid sandpaper product to remove dirt and old paint. Prime the surface with spray primer made for metal and allow it to dry completely. Apply the base paint color and let it dry thoroughly. Now, the metal furniture is ready for the crackle application. Follow all manufacturer's instructions as application and drying times may vary from product to product. Make sure the crackle product can be applied successfully to metal---this is usually noted on the product label or marketing materials.

Faux Gilding Technique

• Instead of using real gold or silver leaf, try a rub-on metallic product. Sand, prime and prepare the metal furniture surface. Choose a background color for the faux finish---black, red, burnt orange and a very dark green work the best as a backdrop for metallic colors like gold, silver and bronze. Paint the metal furniture the background color and allow it to dry. Use the rub-on product by placing a small amount on the index finger and rub it directly on the metal furniture surface---cover the whole piece of furniture or chose to highlight specific areas. After the product has been applied, buff the furniture surface using a clean, cotton rag. This faux technique works best on carved and intricate patterns.

Faux Aging Technique

• Create an aged patina on metal furniture by using a dark glaze painting technique. Sand, prime and apply a base coat color to the furniture---don't choose a dark color but instead choose a medium- to light-toned color. The aging concept focuses on building contrast between the base color and the glaze placed over it. Since the top coat is dark the base coat color should be lighter. Apply an aging glaze using a cup of paint to a cup of water. Choose the glaze color from black, dark green or burnt umber. Apply the glaze to the furniture using a paint brush and work in 1-foot intervals: paint the glaze on, allow it to get tacky and then wipe it off the metal furniture with a damp rag. Use several coats of glaze to make the piece appear older. A flat paint for the base color will absorb the glaze better and look more aged than a glossy or semi-gloss paint.