A bronze finish with an antique look is easy to achieve. The process involves mixing layers of color and sealing or patina finishing. Technically, patina is the green film that forms on copper and bronze. As it ages, various types of acids in the air cause a green sheen on the metal. Faux patina is a green cast illusion created on many surfaces including wood, ceramic or metal. This gives the substance a bronze, antique finish. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Wood
1. Remove any hardware, such as knobs or hinges.
2. Sand the wood lightly.
3. Paint the furniture with a latex sealer/primer and let dry completely
4. Cover the wood with a latex base coat. It should be similar in color to the bronze glaze. Use a paint roller for large areas and a brush for the smaller regions. Let the base coat dry, then sand off any bumps in the finish. Paint a second coat. Sand again, if needed.
5. Pour a small amount of the metallic glaze on to a paper plate. Dampen a sea sponge and dip it into the glaze. Dab the sponge on newspaper to remove excess.
6. Blot the sponge onto the surface. Use random movements to avoid creating a noticeable pattern. Don't apply the glaze too thickly---you should see the base coat underneath. Cover the entire piece.
7. Let it dry and touch up with more glaze as needed. Let dry completely then spray with a clear varnish.
Ceramic
8. Mix in small a container, 4 oz. of black latex paint and 1 oz. of water. Keep adding water until paint is a creamy consistency. Stir in ¼ tsp. of antique bronze pigment powder. Apply two coats of black mixture to the ceramic. Allow 15 minutes drying between coats.
9. Thin one part forest green latex paint with two parts water in a container then apply green on top of the black with a small wet sponge. The thin green should not obscure the black. Let the green almost dry. When slightly damp, wipe it off with a paper towel.
10. Dip one finger in the antique copper pigment and rub it gently on top of the remaining green. Pick a few select areas to apply. Do not coat the entire piece. This should be a highlight.
11. Apply rutile powder, a metal pigment available at craft stores, liberally to textured areas with a small brush.
12. Apply paste wax over the entire piece. Wait five minutes then buff the surface with your hand.
Metal
13. Clean the piece using a metal conditioner and cleaner.
14. Brush on antique bronze patina glaze. Rinse off with water, then a dry rag.
15. Spray on a lacquer sealer.
Tags: base coat, entire piece, antique bronze, latex paint, patina green, with latex, with small
