Aging metallic paint

Lagree Wyndham
by Lagree Wyndham
Ok, I just bought some paintable "tin" patterned textured wallpaper to go in the bathroom, to hide some poor sheetrock work. I have silver paint from Rustoleum, but I'm not sure if I will keep it silver or tone it down to an aged look. What type of glaze do you use? This is where my the white pedestal sinks will be going, and it will only go halfway the wall, above this is painted a very dark grey almost black. The white wood wainscoting will receive a fresh coat of white paint.
  3 answers
  • Sally Sally on May 16, 2015
    I cheated and covered mine with Rustoleum Vintage Tin spray. Maybe someone could tell you if you could use a watered down acrylic to tone it down without having problems with the water-based paint and paper
  • Jeani Miller Miner Jeani Miller Miner on May 20, 2015
    If I understand this right you bought the embossed paper that replicates old tin ceilings? Some is sold as Lincrusta or Anaglypta. I have it on all our downstairs ceilings and everyone thinks it's original plaster. You can paint it with anything - it stands up well to paint. To age it look for a gel stain - they are available in a variety of colors. or you can use a glaze. You can buy glaze at Home Depot and have it tinted with universal tint to any color you like. Ask the paint guy to show you. I'd roll or brush it on and then wipe it off so some collects in the recesses. Good luck!
  • Kate Kate on May 22, 2015
    Before you commit to anything, play around with different paint recipes and techniques Cut at least a half dozen good-sized sample sizes from your wallpaper and mount them to something rigid, because the moisture in the paint will curl them. I'd do 2ft x 2 ft each so that you get a really good idea of end result when you prop it into the backsplash space to eyeball it. For each sample, keep detailed notes on what you did. (You think you'll remember. You won't. Don't ask me how I know.) Everytime you add a dab of this or a dab of that, jot it down in the order you did it. That way, you can reproduce it with consistency. I've found that aging and toning down a too-bright metallic is best addressed at the start, with a base coat. One technique I've used in the past for silver was to do an overall matte, dark charcoal grey acrylic paint as a base.The charcoal base will simulate the natural oxidation (tarnishing) process of real silver. I then thinned down some silver Rub N Buff with mineral spirits (add in small increments for the consistency you want. You don't want it runny.) Then, using a dry brush.technique, go over If there's too much contrast, you can soften and warm the overall look when it's dry with a dark furniture paste wax. You really have to play with this, but it's worth it. . The more layers you do (not opaque, except your base), the richer this will look. The aging is not just a layer on top, but seems to come from within, more like real silver. To keep the layers transparent, use ready made glazes or add Floetrol (for water based paints) or Penetrol (oil based paints.) Good luck!
    • Roxanna Roxanna on May 24, 2015
      @Kate Great advise - Off to the store for Rub N Buff. Then I think I just need to start mixing and testing the look I'm after to correct some spray painted projects that are too 'bright'. I'll remember next time to start with your advise!