When you "antique" something, you age it artificially. Things like wood and tin often look old because the passage of time has left a patina of grime on the surface. Tin ceiling panels present an outstanding example of this concept. Ceilings get dirty over time, and discolored--especially tin ceilings in old buildings. You can create an aged effect on a tin ceiling or other tin object with a faux technique.
Instructions
1. Apply a base color to the tin using water-based latex paint if necessary. If you install a fake tin ceiling of white plastic, base color each tile or section of ceiling covering while the material remains in your hands. You risk neck strain if you paint and antique the panels on the ceiling.
2. Select a contrast color in water-based latex paint. For gray, white or lighter colors of base paint, select a dark brown color. For a dark color base, like hunter green, choose a lighter tan color. For a copper finish, choose a pastel green color that mimics the aging verdigris color of tarnished copper.
3. Select a contrast color in water-based latex paint. For gray, white or lighter colors of base paint, select a dark brown color. For a dark color base, like hunter green, choose a lighter tan color. For a copper finish, choose a pastel green color that mimics the aging verdigris color of tarnished copper.
4. Test a brush full of this color on a sample of tin. When the contrast color dries, it should be plainly visible but not too obvious. If you can hardly see it, thicken the solution by adding more paint. Add paint or water as another test until you strike the right balance.
5. Dry brush this contrast color onto the tin piece. Tap out any excess water and paint against the edges of your paint bucket to achieve a dry brush effect.
6. Brush the contrast color into the grooves of any detailing on the tin surface and then gently and quickly wipe away any excess paint with a clean cotton rag. Raised surfaces on the detailing should be clean while the "dirty water" paint remains in the depressions of the detail work.
7. Wash the surface of flat tin areas with a generous wipe of your dirty water brush in one direction. Gently blot any excess paint away with an absorbent rag. You should not be able to see brush strokes--just a thin layer of "dirty" color.
8. Let the object dry thoroughly. Add more "dirt" if desired. If you overdo it, simply paint the object with base color and start the process again.
Tags: contrast color, base color, latex paint, water-based latex, water-based latex paint, aging verdigris