Using Beer To Create Antique Furniture
by
Stan Schubridge
Antique wood is wood that has been aged for many years. Recreating the antique look on newer piecces of wood can be difficult, but beer is often used as a stain. While an unusual solution, try looking at the surface of an antique piece of furniture. The patina, or the surface of the wood, develops with age. The wood absorbs the oils and the air and builds up an antique finish over the years.
While beer cannot completely mimic the effects of aging, creating the antique look is possible by using beer to induce old age.
The type of beer used to create the antique look is important. Using a traditional dark beer will bring about the antique look much more quickly. A chestnut dark and mild beer is strong enough to stain wood while a premier lager will not effect the surface of the wood at all. Choosing a chestnut-colored beer applied in coats over time will stain the wood, creating an antique finish.
Whether re-staining an antique or creating the look on a newer piece, the process of staining the wood remains the same. For an antique piece, sand the surface gently to help with absorption. If this is not done, the beer will not be able to be absorbed through the layers of varnish. If the wood has never been stained or varnished, the surface will still be absorbent. Choose a beer and pour into a bowl. Using a clean cloth, absorb a small amount of the beer onto the cloth and then rub into the wood\’s surface. Ensure that a clean cloth is used as this is essential to proper staining technique.
The process of staining the wood is painstaking. Antique wood is wood that has had dozens of years to gain a certain patina, yet this process is trying to force the appearance of an aged surface on a new piece of wood. Work slowly to avoid making mistakes or becoming tired of the process. The unusued beer can be kept and used again for later coats. Remember that antique wood usually has an uneven finish with some areas darker than others. Creating this uneven surface is also possible with beer. Soak a corner of the cloth int he beer and then let it sit on top of the wood. Repeat this process in several places to create a layered surface. Be sure not to leave the cloth on for more than a few minutes as this can warp the surface.
This process cannot be completed in one sitting and will require many applications before the wood will start to look aged. The depth of the color will depend on the number of coats. Increasing the number of coats used will make the color deeper and richer, helping to create the illusion of antique wood. After you are happy with the color of the wood, apply a light coat of varnish to the surface. This coat of varnish will effectively seal the color and keep the surface from being damaged.
Stan Schubridge is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, New York. Stan writes mostly for Beertaps.com which is an eCommerce company out of New York that sells all the
Kegerators
one could need.
Article Source:
ArticleRich.com