Weathering and Distressing Techniques
Got a brand-new piece of metal that you'd love to make look old and worn? How about some wood? Or glass? Using a few tools, some simple solutions and a sprinkling of know-how, we'll get that distressed look that will turn your new material into an artifact quicker than you can say Antiques Roadshow!

REQUIRED TOOLS:

* 1 or 2 small wooden hinged-lid boxes - A perfect one for the project can be found <Here>. You know the kind, for decoupage, etc. You can choose the type with a screened top or solid, either one (or both!). They only cost a dollar each, so bring a few extras if you want to. These will be our practice surfaces to get the techniques down.

* Safety glasses/goggles

* Safety gloves (lightweight ones will be best, for dexterity)

• Scraps/objects to work with: Wood, metal, glass...either found objects or raw material... Bring plenty of bits and pieces to experiment on.

• Rawhide hammer - <Here>

• A basic chisel, for scratching surfaces

• Scribe <Here> Alternatively, any fine, pointed metal object will work.... Hatpin, anyone?

• Roll of 'reo tie wire' (found for under $10 in hardware stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!...it should be dark grey-black) If met with blank stares, tell them it's for tying reo-rod together. NOTE: You won't need to haul the whole roll, as it's quite heavy - bring about 2 metres of it with you and you'll have plenty!

• Acrylic paints: Basic set of five or more colors (make sure there's brown and black)

• Plastic Film Canisters or disposable cups to hold paint mixtures

• Acrylic gloss varnish <Here>

• Small awl or scribe (basically, any sharp pointy rod of metal)

• Brush: a few different sizes if you have them

• Sandpaper - Very rough grit paper, such as #40 or 60, as well as a few sheets of medium or fine wet-dry paper available in any hardware store

• Files: Just one will do, any medium-size flat file

• Dirt: Take some simple dirt from outside, dry it out thoroughly on a paper-towel, and bring it in a little container

• Patina blackening solution: Here's one... (NOTE: Airlines are not allowing corrosive fluids onboard planes...if you are driving, please bring what you can so flyers can share, pleez? ...not much will be needed). Any stained-glass supply will have a comparable patina to this for blackening solder.

• Fuller's ULTRA CLEAR: Available at most hardware stores. DON'T buy a substitute!! This is the only one that has the properties we need. <Here> Remember you'll need a caulking gun to remove the sealant from the tube. If you know someone else in the class, you can coordinate so only one of you has to bring it.

• Tin of beeswax furniture polish

• Rags/paper towels

 

Please email me with any questions you might have that this page didn't address.

See you there! Keith