Painting Furniture to Make It Look Antique

Through time and use, wooden furniture develops a patina of age. As paint builds up, some layers dry at uneven rates, producing the appearance of fine lines and paint separation. However, you don't have to pay a lot of money to purchase an antique or wait many years to achieve this same look. A crackle faux finish will mimic the appearance of old paint in a few, simple steps. Sanding the corners and raised areas of furniture contributes to a realistic antique look.

Wooden furniture
Drop cloth
Sanding block
Tack cloth
2 colors of latex paint
2-inch flat paintbrush
Tinted painter's wax
Rag
Crackle medium

Instructions

- 1
  Put a drop cloth down to protect flooring. Sand wooden furniture with a sanding block to scuff a painted or varnished surface. Remove sanding debris with a tack cloth.
- 2
  Apply a coat of latex paint with a flat brush. This first color will not show as much as the second color. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
- 3
  Use a rag to apply a coat of tinted painter's wax to the furniture. Cover the entire surface. Let the wax set.
- 4
  Brush on the crackle medium. Apply an even coat over the surface to ensure that the next layer of paint will crackle. Allow it to dry.
- 5
  Paint over the crackle medium with the second paint color. This paint should form crackles and reveal the first layer of paint. Only paint over the crackle medium once or the crackles will disappear. Allow this coat of paint to dry.
- 6
  Sand the surface to get a distressed look. Give extra attention to edges and raised areas that would naturally receive more wear. Wipe off the surface with a tack cloth.
- 7
  Apply a second layer of tinted wax. Allow it to set and form a protective coating on your furniture.

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