How to Give Furniture an Antique Patina Finish

You can give a worn out piece of furniture new life by updating the finish. Applying an antique patina finish is a great way to accomplish this. Creating a  copper, bronze, or other metallic finish that seems to have aged naturally is easy to do with the right paints and a few simple tools. Below is a step by step process you can use to create an antique patina finish.
           

1)    Start by removing any hardware on the furniture. Wash the piece down to remove any grease or dirt. Strip off the old finish if needed or if you prefer sand the piece lightly. This will even out the surface and help the base coat of paint, Bond properly.

2)  Paint the furniture with a latex sealer/primer and allow it to dry thoroughly. Lightly sand again and apply a second coat if needed.

3)   Use a latex paint for the base coat color. Eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss finish will work well. Apply two coats, lightly sanding after each is thoroughly dry.

3) To prepare the glaze coat, add a similar or a contrasting color to the metallic glaze. The color choice will depend on the look your trying to achieve. Mix in a large shallow container and if the glaze appears to be a milky white, don’t be alarmed, this is normal and it will dry clear.

4)   Lightly dampen a sponge and dip it into the glaze. Dab the sponge on a piece of newspaper or rag to remove any excess glaze. Do not apply thick coats of the glaze, because you want to be able to see the base coat beneath. Randomly blot the sponge on the surface, making every effort to avoid any noticeable pattern. Applying the glaze heavier in some areas will give it a natural textured look. Repeat this process until the entire piece is covered.

5 )     Once it is thoroughly dry, you can apply another coat of glaze if needed.to achieve the desired effect. You can also use another accent color if you choose to get the desired effect. Remember to avoid doing anything that will look like a pattern since you want the finish to appear natural.

6)   Once the final coat has dried completely apply a coat of clear varnish to protect the finish. Reinstall the hardware and you have your self a brand-new piece of furniture that you can be proud of.