Crafting To Save Money

Whether you are restoring a vintage piece or just trying to make a wooden accessory or piece of furniture look vintage, the right paint technique and the correct type of paint are vital. The following tips can help you paint your pieces perfectly so they look aged as naturally as possible.

Tip #1: Choose the Right Paint

There are many paint options out there, but generally you want to avoid the latex and enamel. Latex paints tend to peel when you attempt to age them, while enamels create a hard finish that is difficult to age realistically. Consider the following instead:

• Acrylic craft paints. These come in nearly every color imaginable and are perfect for details work.

• Chalk paint. These have a dull, matte finish and work exceptionally well for creating a vintage look.

• Milk paint. This all-natural paint goes on like a stain but it dries like a paint.

• Wood stains. Rub-in stains are sometimes used on their own or combined with another paint.

Tip #2: Prepare Well

The success of your paint job depends largely on the preparation. Begin by sanding off the old paint or finish. Start with a rough-grit sandpaper and remove the top layer of old paint or stain. You can use a sanding sponge or small chisel to get into any tight spots. Then, switch to a finer grit sandpaper to smooth everything.

Tip #3: Work in Layers

Layering and using resists are the keys to the look you want. First, paint on your base layer. This is typically a rich wood stain or a brown paint. No need to coat the piece evenly, since only bits of this will show in the finished piece. Next, add your resist. Candle wax or beeswax are common choice. Simply rub the wax lightly over any area where you would like the original color to show through. Pick areas that naturally become worn, such as on corners and edges, or along the edges of raised details and trim.

Next, apply your first paint color – blue in the example above. Paint a single coat over the entire piece. Once again, no need to worry about protection. You can then use your wax to create a resist on this layer as well, if desired. Finally, apply the final coat of paint. Once it has dried completely, you can sand parts of the piece lightly to reveal the colors beneath. The color will show through more boldly where a resist is used. For assistance, talk to a paint specialist like Koontz Hardware.