Antiquing Wood with Liberon Black Patinating Wax

There is no shortage of ways to give wood that antique effect. One product that was designed for exactly this purpose is Liberon's Black patinating wax. The wax appears similiar to boot polish and does an excellent job of finding its way into the pores of open grain woods such as Oak.

Before applying the patinating wax, it is important to replicate the aging process by distressing the wood. This can be done by several methods.

Indentations - Fill a sock or small plastic bag with screws. Secure the screws by tying a knot in the sock/bag. Then strike the wood repeatedly, this will cause minor indentations on the surface of the wood. The sock or bag will ensure the damage is not too severe.

Cracks - Replicate the appearance of cracks by using a stanley knife. Work with the grain and draw a line with the knife. This works especially well by starting at the end grain.

Rings - Fill a cup or food tin with boiling hot water, put some coffee or tea on the bottom ring of the cup/tin. This will imitate those dark rings you see on old tables or pieces of furniture.

Edges - Finally, if you want your piece to look old then you should remove any sharp edges and corners. Care should be taken at this point because if you take too much off, you cannot put it back on. The best way to slightly round off the edges and corners is by using a sander.

When you are happy with your distressing it is time to apply the black patinating wax. Take an old rag, cloth or brush and use a small amount of wax. Make sure it is applied sparingly, you only need enough to enter the pores and indentations. Leave the wax to dry for a few minutes then wipe off the excess with a clean lint-free cloth or ultra fine 0000 grade steel wool.

If you find that too much has been applied, do not despair. Finishing oil works well for diluting or removing patinating wax. Eventually, you should end up with an effect you are happy with. It is always handy to have a tin of this stuff around the workshop. If you want to artificially age a piece of wood then this product fits the bill. Black patinating wax can be purchased from all the usual Liberon product stockists.

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