Three Easy Methods To Make Wood Look Aged Like Barnwood
Ageing is a process of making the wood look rustic & casual feel to any space. To start the ageing process on the wood in order to make it look like barn wood, go through the methods mentioned below & use one of them that suits you the best:
Method 1: Vinegar/Tea Method
- Gather The Required Items: The first and the foremost thing is to gather some of the items required to accomplish this task such as white vinegar, steel wool, glass jars, paintbrush, black tea, sandpaper, plastic gloves & rags.
- Make The Vinegar Solution: Then, put some vinegar into the glass jar, stocking it about halfway. Splinter the steel wool and put it in the jar. Allow the steel wool and vinegar to sit in the jar exposed for nearly 24 hours. If in case you allow it to sit for a longer duration, then it will create a darker look, just make sure to avoid the formation of rust, otherwise, it is highly possible to have an orange stain. The vinegar will make the steel wool to break down.
- Mix The Tea: As soon as the vinegar solution is prepared, blend hot water and tea in another glass jar. The tannins present in the tea will behave with the steel wool & vinegar solution to create a darker finish.
- Sand The Wood: If in case your piece is painted or finished, then it is necessary to sand it down before applying the stain, otherwise, the solution won’t stick to the wood perfectly.
- Paint On The Tea: With the help of a paintbrush, you need to spread the tea to the wood. Give the tea some time to dry before applying the solution to the wood. Keep performing the aging process as it dries, but make sure to wait before applying a second coat of the solution.
- Protect The Finish: After you are completely satisfied with the aged wood, apply paste wax or polyurethane, in order to protect a finish of the aged wood.
Method 2: Commercial Stain Method
- Gather The Required Items: First of all, gather some of the items required to accomplish the task like sandpaper, paintbrush, paste wax or polyurethane, plastic gloves, wood stain & rags.
- Sand The Wood: After collecting the required items, start sanding the wood in order to remove any coatings & make the surface of the wood smooth. If in case you use a stain explicitly designed to create a discolored look, such as Rust-Oleum’s Varathane Weathered Wood Accelerator, go through the manufacturer’s directions to learn how to apply it.
- Brush With Water: Now, brush the wood with water, if in case you are working on a regular wood stain. This in turn permits less of the stain to be sucked up into the wood.
- Add The Stain: Allow the wood a few seconds to get dried off completely and then rub on the stain. As soon as the wood dries, then quickly cleanse any extra stain with the help of a rag. Give the wood some time to dry and then repeat the process if necessary. Finally, apply paste wax or polyurethane, in order to give it a good finish.
Method 3: Mechanical Techniques
- Gather The Required Items: Hammer, metal chain, nails, awl, drill, wire brush drill attachment & sandpaper are some of the items required to accomplish this task.
- Attack The Wood: You can use tools and other items in order to make the wood look aged. With the help of a hammer, mallet, or metal chain, try striking the wood so that the small divots are created. You can also squeeze the side of a large screw into the wood or hammer the side of an awl to build a long scratch. A sock or cloth bag occupied with nails will build an uneven pattern. Examine the methods on a piece of scrap wood before starting to beat up your furniture, you can consistently get more damage, but as soon as you get started, it’s difficult to get rid of dents.
- Create Texture With A Drill: A wire brush attachment will eliminate soft portions of wood and make the grain glitter. Fix the attachment into the drill and move the brush back and forth over the wood, proceeding with the grain. Repeat the process until the wood gets completely smooth. Finish by gently sanding the surface.
- Add Insect Damage: Potholes are a sign of reclaimed wood. To produce the look & eliminate the bugs propel an awl into the wood, designing a random pattern. You can also drill screws through a 2 by 4 and use it to produce small holes in your piece.