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    Home » Thrift Store Decor » How To Make Paint Look Old Using Waxes And Toners

    How To Make Paint Look Old Using Waxes And Toners

    This post may contain affiliate links

    There is more than one way to make paint look old. I'm going to show you four ways to do just that today. These special paint techniques to age, antique, or make paint look old are super easy.

    4 Wood Trays Four Special Paint Techniques Petticoat Junktion project

    I painted these four wood trays using four different techniques to age the paint. Then I spruced them up with recycled belt handles. After  looking at the paint techniques and all of the trays you'll have to let me know which is your favorite color and technique.

    trays before

    I found the four wood trays at my favorite junk shop. They were three dollars each. Can’t beat that. Do the trays look heavy to you? They each weigh between 10 and 11 pounds. I know because I weighed them on my vintage kitchen scale!

    painted trays

    The day I painted the trays I felt like experimenting. I have days like that and sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. This was a good day. I selected a popular paint color for each tray. Then I used various products on the trays to make each of them special. four special paint techniques Petticoat Junktion

    I like all of the trays but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the black one. I bought belts at the local thrift store for $1 to $2 each and I cut some of them up to make the unique handles. I saw this idea somewhere months or years ago and loved the look. While I was searching for drawer pulls for the trays I remembered the belt idea.

    wood tray handles from recycled leather belts

    The belt handles could be nailed or screwed on but I used decorative tacks. This was easy and I had the tacks on hand. The handles are decorative and not functional. Now we're going to look at the paints I used and the products that make the paint look old.

    white paint distressed

    First technique. The white tray is painted with Beyond Paint in Off-White. This paint is great. It's an all in one primer, paint, and sealer. The paint is perfect for kitchen cabinets too.

    distressing white paint

    I applied two coats of paint then distressed the paint with 100 grit sandpaper and that was it. This is the simplest technique for making the paint look worn or old. Distress the paint as much or as little as you like. A clear wax can always be applied to add extra sheen or for protection.

    recycled belts for tray handles

    I cut up the thrift store belt to make handles. I actually used the reverse side of the belt because it had a softer finish. Not sure what the material is.

    tacks and leather belt for tray handles

    I nailed the belt pieces to the tray using upholstery tacks. As I mentioned before these are purely decorative and on the heavy wood boxes the belt handle would probably pull off if you tried lifting the tray by the handles.

    waxed paint

    Second technique. The black tray is painted inside with brown latex paint and the outside is Beyond Paint in Licorice. The white finish is Barnwood Wax from FolkArt.

    black paint

    This tray is two colors because I started painting it brown then decided to go with black on the outside.

    Barnwood Wax

    I applied the Barnwood Wax using a soft lint free cloth. I just rubbed the wax on and then rubbed off the excess until I got the look I wanted.

    recycled leather belts for decorative tray handles

    Same process as for the white wood tray above but a different belt. This one kind of has an alligator look.

    good with a hammer

    Tacked it on too. I've mentioned being lazy and you can see I go the easy route.

    white wax over black paint and a recycled belt for a handle

    How pretty is that. All of the belts I bought were faux leather but they still look good. The day I went to the thrift store I couldn’t find any belts made of real leather. They probably go pretty fast.

    toner for antiquing or aging paint

    Third technique. The brownish tray is painted with Beyond Paint in Pebble. The Pebble is a neutral color but it has a little pizazz too. This is one of my favorite colors. Caromal Colours Toner gives the tray an antiqued or aged look. I use this product on painted furniture all the time.

    brush on toner for aging

    You just brush the toner over the paint. Then wipe it off with a dry or damp rag.

    wiping back toner

    A damp rag will remove a lot of the toner, a dry rag does just the opposite. The toner seeps into the little dings and crevices in the tray. It’s best to wait until the paint has cured for several days before using wax or toner on a paint project. The paint may come off in places if not dried well.

    Antiquing paint Petticoat junktion how to use waxes and toners

    See what a difference an extra step makes when you paint something. You can use any of these techniques on painted furniture or home decor item.

    dark wax for antiquing and aging paint

    Fourth technique. The bluish turquoise paint is an oops sample. Have to love a price of 50 cents. Howard’s wax in Golden Oak gives the paint an aged look.

    rub on dark wax for aging and antique effect

    Always apply wax with a lint free cloth (old sheets work great). Howard's wax comes in neutral or clear too and there is a walnut color that gives a deep color to paint. Wait about 20 minutes then buff the wax with a dry lint free rag. Buffing the wax is what makes it shine.

    waxes for antiquing paint

    Like toner the wax also gathers in the dings and crevices of the tray adding to the aged look.

    I made a short video on how to antique painted furniture using the toner and you can see it at the end of the post or you can go to that post here.

    It's time to tell me which technique is your favorite or which one you would like to try.

    I listed the products below and all can be found on Amazon except for the Caromal Colours Toner and I linked to their website.

    Products used for this project:
    Beyond Paint
    Howard's Wax - Golden Oak
    Caromal Colours Toner
    Painted Finishes Barnwood Wax
    Upholstery Tacks

    How To Use Waxes and Toners to Antique or Age Paint Petticoat Junktion

    How To Use Waxes and Toners To Make Paint Look Old

    Be sure and watch my video on How To Antique Furniture...

    How To Antique Furniture Video Tutorial

     

    As always, thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Renee'

      April 19, 2021 at 1:08 am

      Funny that I found this, because I have three boxes already. I planned to use these for our cats after I put leather handles on them. They are to sit on a long and low dresser under the living room windows. Thanks for reminding me what I wanted to do with them. I will make each one a different color also.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        April 19, 2021 at 8:47 am

        you're welcome Renee. Glad you found it.

    2. Chokky Sue

      March 28, 2021 at 9:40 am

      How is this for serendipity - I was cleaning out my husband's closet today as he passed away recently and guess what I found? lots of leather belts which I am definitely not going to throw out now.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        March 28, 2021 at 9:51 am

        No! Use them in a project. I brought home a bunch of Dad's old belts on my latest visit to him. I plan to make some more recycled belt projects!

    3. Kasia

      October 08, 2020 at 10:47 am

      I love the trays! The colors are great. Thank you for sharing this tutorial, Kathy 🙂 I'll definitely be trying out one of these methods for my next project.

      Reply
    4. Dee | Grammy's Grid

      September 29, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      Nice, looks good!

      Reply
    5. Lizzy

      September 21, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      I love them all! The black one is my favorite. Great information. Thank you!

      Reply
    6. vickie

      September 21, 2020 at 9:47 am

      I think if the sides were shorter, they would make great casserole holders, and help keep casserole warm longer. Love the handles and the colors you chose

      Reply
    7. Bev W

      September 21, 2020 at 8:22 am

      Kathy! I would be the one at the booth picking up each one saying, 'Oh I love this! Wait! I love this one! & this one too! Oh rats I'll take them all!'

      Reply
    8. Michelle

      November 19, 2016 at 3:16 am

      Those handles do make such a big difference Kathy and I'm loving your experimental paint techniques. I can't really decide which one I like more, but I think I'm leaning towards the blue. I've always been partial towards blue and brown

      Reply
    9. Ann Burke

      November 13, 2016 at 6:44 pm

      Where is the post for the technique for the blackish tray?
      Wish to copy
      Tks
      A

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        November 13, 2016 at 8:12 pm

        Hi Ann, I haven't written the post for that yet. Hopefully it will be coming on Tuesday! Stay tuned.

    10. Angie ~ ambient wares

      November 12, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      I love these and the belt idea is great! I love adding things to my stash of stuff and leather belts will definitely be something I'll use in future projects! Thanks! Pinning 🙂

      Reply
    11. Marie from The Interior Frugalista

      November 10, 2016 at 11:03 am

      Love all four finishes equally, Kathy and would have a hard time picking just one from your booth. The leather handles are perfect too. Pinning to share.

      Reply
    12. Linda Kaplan

      November 10, 2016 at 9:01 am

      really like it

      Reply
    13. Bliss

      November 10, 2016 at 8:15 am

      I LOVE every one of them! Miss you guys too.

      Reply
    14. gail

      November 09, 2016 at 8:52 pm

      Your trays look awesome Kathy! I just picked up a couple of great belts for .50 each last week for this very purpose. 🙂

      I love the colors.

      gail

      Reply
    15. Joan Polly

      November 09, 2016 at 5:26 pm

      Love the trays. I'll be looking forward to your post where you talk about the different paint techniques. Black one is extra awesome.

      Reply
    16. Cindy

      November 09, 2016 at 3:07 pm

      These are fantastic 10-11 pounds each, like weight training. Can't wait to read painting techniques

      Cindy

      Reply
    17. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking

      November 09, 2016 at 2:55 pm

      I love all four of those trays Kathy... and the leather handles... LOVE!

      Reply
    18. Angie Walsh

      November 09, 2016 at 8:42 am

      Love it ! You always come up with the greatest idea's.

      Reply
    19. Kelly Newman

      November 09, 2016 at 8:28 am

      One of my favorites! Thanks for sharing?

      Reply
    20. EFFIE CARROLL

      November 09, 2016 at 7:32 am

      Love the trays. Would never have thought to use belts. They look great.

      Reply
    21. Linda at Mixed Kreations

      November 09, 2016 at 6:28 am

      I love the tray's! They all turned out really nice. I like the handles with the decorative tacks. I wouldn't be carrying them around, I would use for decorative purposes. I can't pick a favorite, I like them all. Can't wait to learn your technique's.

      Reply

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