This tutorial will show you how easy it is to turn wood into metal.
Ok – that’s not possible… but it is possible to make a wooden object look like beautifully aged metal with an easy faux copper patina paint finish. I’ve shared faux paint finish techniques here before, and I’m super excited about sharing this one with you!
The Paints:
The Project:
We’ve had a set of chipped and flaking old wooden planter boxes for a few years now, just waiting for me to make them over.
Him: Do we really need these?
Me: Yes, I’ll make them over and they’ll look awesome. I promise.
Him: And how exactly are you going to make them over?
Me: No clue, but I promise you they won’t just sit there gathering dust in the backyard.
The Supplies – Prep:
Hand sander
white rags
Step One: Prep your surface.
Since these planters were old, and had lots of chipping paint, they needed a thorough sanding before any painting could be done.
It’s not a fun step.
It’s definitely a messy step. (I marched my clothing straight to the laundry room after I was finished.)
However, it’s a necessary step when you’re starting with any piece that has paint chips flaking off, as you don’t want any pieces coming off when you’re applying the paint. I used my small electric hand sander to make quick work of this step, then wiped down all the surfaces with white rags to remove all of the dust.
Step Two: Apply two coats of Modern Masters Metal Effects Primer.
The Metal Effects Primer is made specifically for use with the Modern Masters line of reactive metal paints and solutions.
Specifically, this primer provides a protective barrier on the surface you’re painting, so it blocks any of the special activator solutions – for either rusting or achieving patina effects – from reaching the actual surface where they could start eating away at your actual project. Oxidation is a fascinating thing, but since you want your project to stand the test of time, use this primer first!
The second coat of primer can be applied 30 minutes after the first coat. This is a nice feature! Once I finished applying the first coat to the second planter, I was able to begin applying the second coat to the first planter. Did you follow that?
I left the planters to sit overnight.
Step Three: Apply one coat of the Modern Masters Copper Reactive Metallic Paint.
Th Modern Masters Reactive Metallic Paints are SO cool! They have actual metal particles in them, which will oxidize naturally over time when exposed to the elements!
(If you want a solid copper finish that won’t tarnish, use their regular metallic paints.)
Let dry for several hours. Again, I left mine to sit overnight.
You could leave your project as is, after applying this paint – although I’d suggest at least two coats – if you want your piece to slowly achieve a patina finish. But who wants to wait that long? Not me! But if you were patient, you could apply two coats of the Reactive Metallic Paint and stop here.
Step Four: Apply a second coat of the Modern Masters Copper Reactive Metallic Paint, working in small sections at a time, and while the paint is still wet, spray on the Modern Masters Green Patina Aging Solution.
This is the most involved step, but also the most fun!
First, what exactly is the Patina Aging Solution?
It’s an acidic solution (also water-based) that reacts with the metal particles in the Reactive Metallic Paints, thus speeding up the oxidation process. Modern Masters offers their patina solutions in both Green and Blue. You can apply this solution with a brush, a sea sponge, or with a spritzer/sprayer cap that conveniently attaches to their bottles – which is what I used.
Once you paint and then spray one section, move onto the next section and repeat the process until you’ve covered your entire piece.
By the time you finish the last section, you’ll see the paint already beginning to oxidize! Science at work! (And I would have definitely been more attentive in science classes growing up if we were doing cool projects like this!)
After a few hours, I went back down to the basement to check out the planters. They looked good, and the paint was dry to the touch, but I knew it was still oxidizing. Since the look I was going for was a mix of shiny copper in some areas with green patina in others, I applied more copper paint here and there until I was satisfied with the look.
Again, I let the planters sit overnight and do their thing, and the next morning was pleased as punch to see my new aging wood metal planters! Seriously – how cool are they now? Very!
A couple of close-up detail shots . . .
Making over these planters was the perfect project for our backyard gardens, and I can’t wait to see how they look in the Spring when I’m ready to fill them with flowers. This project also satisfied my gardening obsession, which isn’t easy to do during the Winter months.
Future Garden Project Idea:
I’ve already decided on my next major garden project: I’m going to paint several of our smaller outdoor planters – plastic, terracotta and stone – using these same steps! Here they are:
An Indoor Project Idea:
We’ve been slowly redoing our Library in our home. We’ve had a used lamp in there that I’ve been wanting to redo, and can I just say how awesome the Metallic Effects system worked on the lamp base? There. I said it!
Further Inspiration and Ideas:
Want to learn more about Modern Masters and their awesome line of paints? Visit them and follow them here: Website Facebook Twitter
Want to see a ton of project ideas – both large and small? Visit Modern Masters on Pinterest! Their boards are a great resource!
June 14, 2014 update: I’ve written a post on how this paint has held up after spending months in the Winter outdoor elements. (Hint: it’s lookin’ great!) You can click here to read and see more pics.
~Laura
Original article and pictures take www.petscribbles.com site
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