a rustic look

i have a dresser that i repainted in southwestern colors. I also have replaced the hardware with faux iron lookalikes. my question is, how do i make it look older, more weathered and rustic looking. i like the colors and the new look it has overall but it is just too new looking for me. thank you for your time. i appreciate all the help i can get.

kkcheyennarose@aol.com

thanks again

kat

 

Kat:

I would normally have tried to work teh aging into the application of finish, but since we're past that point, let's try this.

Use one of the drawers to experiment with adn see what happens.

Sand lightly with 220 grit paper or finer - this will dull it down enough to start it toward the look you're after. Pick up several 'earth' colors in a gel type stain. Brown, yellow, a red clay color if you can find one - you get the idea. Use this to LIGHTLY and irregularly lay a color over the piece - take away the uniformity of color that's there. Just a little will make a BIG difference in the aging process, so don't get heavy-handed.

If you don't like what you see, wipe it off with paint thinner and try again.

In my shop I would make up a sample board - painted the way the piece was originally and experiment on THAT - you might want to go that way yourself.

 

Dear George:
thank you very much for your reply and advice. i will try this as soon as possible i can't wait! i will let you know how it went. thanks again.

ps if you ever need greeting cards, let me know. i make them.
http://Communities.msn.com/Centaurio...eProducerPage/
then click on kathryn's kreations

i'd be happy to make you one in return for the advice!