The renovation of a historic property is no small feat, especially when considering the repercussions it has on the portfolio. If you've always wanted to own a rustic-style kitchen - without having to buy an old country house to renovate - you can achieve the same result by remodeling the furniture you already own.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Setting up the Work Area
Step 1. Clear all shelves, shelves, cabinets, drawers and cover appliances if you have decided to sandblast furniture in your home
The dust will go everywhere; if you do not want to find yourself immersed up to your neck in a nightmare of dirt, better save everything that can be saved. Move the light things and cover the rest. This will simplify cleaning when the job is finished.
The more you can work outside - or in a less delicate work area, such as a garage - the better. However, if you decide not to dismantle the cupboards down to the last screw, preparing to get as little dirty as possible - no matter how boring the procedure - will benefit you in cleaning after the restoration is finished
Step 2. Clean the outside of the cupboards to remove surface dirt, then disassemble all the metal elements
For this purpose you can use ammonia-based degreasers. There are several types on the market, choose one based on the tenacity of the dirt to be removed. Always wear rubber gloves and wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth. Make sure they are completely dry before painting.
Remove handles, knobs, and any other metal items you don't want to paint. Keep everything away from dust and accidental paint splatters
Step 3. Protect non-painting areas with masking tape
The wall bordering the edges of the furniture you are working on will need to be covered with masking tape so you don't have to worry too much about being precise when painting. Make sure you apply masking tape to all places where the furniture makes contact with the walls.
The paint tends to dry slowly. So if you need to fix a smudge, a quick fix is all it takes. The adhesive tape is used to avoid this kind of hassle
Part 2 of 3: Scraping and Painting
Step 1. Remove the old paint from the furniture
Use 80-grit sandpaper; wrap it around a piece of wood to make it easier to grip. Sand the surfaces until the raw wood starts to appear.
- This procedure is simpler if the doors are removed. This will allow you to carry them outside and avoid filling the house with dust.
- Scraping is also used to decide how rustic your kitchen will be. The deeper you go with the sandpaper, the more radical the aging work will appear.
Step 2. If you are aiming for different colored cabinets, add the stain now
If, on the other hand, you are happy with the current shade, you can apply a coat of aging paint to make the task easier. In the first case, however, you will have to work with a bit of artistic DIY. This step is entirely optional; you can still proceed with the next point, whatever your choice. Take a look at this site, it might come in handy:
- Apply 2 or 3 coats of stain, following the instructions on the package. The very first stain that you will apply to the raw wood will be the darkest shade and will form the background that will remain visible.
- Apply wax or petroleum jelly to the areas you wish to “antique”. Use a rough brush.
- Painting with paint. A few hands should suffice. Let it dry before each subsequent application.
- Dust off the dry paint well and then scrape it lightly with sandpaper.
- Use steel wool to remove parts with wax or petroleum jelly. In this way the underlying mordant will return to view.
Step 3. Apply the aging paint
Pour a dab of paint onto a clean, smooth cloth. Very little is enough for you. If you prefer a more “craquelure” look, cracking paint is available on the market. The regularity of the cracking depends on the thickness of the spread product. For large and wide cracks, apply a thick layer of varnish; to have a dense network of cracks, on the other hand, just give it a thin hand. Let it dry for the time indicated on the package.
- While it may seem counterintuitive, apply the paint with small, light circular motions. This way you will distribute it evenly. However, do not expect anything particularly spectacular yet: you are just preparing the basis for the main processes.
- Whether you followed the previous step or not, this is your next point. It works the same in both cases.
Part 3 of 3: Creating the Aged Effect
Step 1. Use a clean rag to direct the paint
When you've finished painting a cupboard, wipe all surfaces with a clean, dry rag to smooth out the circular paint marks. Choose a direction and keep it until the end of the job: from top to bottom or horizontally, but never both.
You will find that the color becomes lighter and lighter as you rub it. This is also the stage where the overall composition will begin to emerge. You can get an idea of how it will be once dry; so remember to check all the details carefully for any corrective actions
Step 2. If you wish, you can darken the edges
Use a small brush to emphasize the areas that must have a particularly rustic look. Be generous with the paint, as a good portion of it will eventually come off.
Aging tends to consume above all corners and edges. The central surfaces also suffer the signs of time, but much less. Think about what an old worn wardrobe looks like and try to reproduce the designs produced by the consumption of wood on the furniture
Step 3. Remove excess paint
With a rag wrapped around your finger, inadvertently remove the finished paint where it shouldn't have been. At this point, let it dry well before proceeding with the last coat.
- Wait 24 hours or at least until the next morning. You certainly don't want the paint to mix, smudging all your work.
- Wash all the rags you used in one wash, but be careful not to add any more laundry, as the paint may stain the fabrics.
Step 4. Spray the surfaces with a thin layer of clear primer
Once the paint is dry, you will need a polish that "seals" your work. You can use polyacrylic enamels or impregnants, but avoid polyurethane, it tends to yellow over time. Always check the labels to avoid buying yellowing products.
