How to Antique Oil Based Painted Furniture

Remove any hardware on the furniture with the screwdriver. Set the hardware aside momentarily. Remove drawers and shelves. Place the furniture pieces onto a drop cloth.

Mix 1/4 cup trisodium phosphate and 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket. Wash the furniture well with a cleaning cloth to remove surface oils and dust. Rinse away the cleaner with water and dry the furniture well with a towel. Allow the furniture to dry thoroughly for at least 12 hours after washing it.

Pour the glaze into a paint tray. Dip the paintbrush into the glaze to load it lightly. Brush the glaze onto a small section of the furniture and cover the area with a thin layer of glaze.

Wad the cheese cloth into a bunch in your hand and rub the wet glaze lightly to remove some of the color and create a mottled appearance on the wood. Continue rubbing with the cheese cloth until the wood develops an aged look.

Apply glaze to another section of the furniture and then use the cheese cloth again to remove some of the glaze and give it a blended, mottled appearance. Continue working in small sections until you apply glaze to the entire piece. Allow the glaze to dry for about 24 hours before you continue.

Brush a layer of oil-based polyurethane over the wood surfaces, coating the surfaces evenly. Allow the polyurethane dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer.

Place the hardware back into the furniture with the screwdriver.