How to Make a Fixture Look Antique

Antique light fixtures aren't easy to find. You must scour the antique malls and secondhand markets to find a piece that is often rusted and damaged from use. Unless you can refinish the light fixture without inflicting further damage, your best alternative may be a freash start. Apply an antique finish to your current fixtures or new ones to achieve a more distressed look.

Rubber gloves
Eye protection or goggles
Newspaper
Base paint color
Paint brushes
Antiquing glaze
Cotton terry cloth towel
Warm soapy water

Instructions

- 1
  Put on your eye protection and rubber gloves. Take these safety precautions in the beginning of the project to avoid contact with chemicals that can stain the skin and splatter into the eyes.
- 2
  Lay out the newspaper to protect your work surface. Create a large enough area for opening the chemical containers and placing the light fixture to dry after completing the process.
- 3
  Sand the surface of the light fixture to roughen it. This allows the paint and glaze to stick later in the process. It also helps to add the character for which antique fixtures are known.
- 4
  Apply the base paint. Use the paintbrush to apply a coat that is thick enough to cover the fixture but thin enough to resist peeling. Use metal paint for best results. If using a glazing kit, follow the instructions for applying the base paint and the glaze. Allow the fixture to dry for 24 hours.
- 5
  Apply the glaze using the terrycloth-like brush. Dab some glaze onto the fixture, using your brush. Coat the fixture. Lightly spread the glaze with the terrycloth towel in circular movements. Move the circle outward to cover the entire fixture. Allow the fixture to dry for 24 hours.
- 6
  Clean up any spills, your brush and the terrycloth towel with soap and water. Scrub to remove the glaze.

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