Using A Water-Based Color Wash On An Ikea Wood Cabinet

Before shot above. Ready to finish!

I bought a Ikea Moppe little chest online several months ago. I sat it aside because I wasn't quite sure what to do with it. I thought about painting it or staining it or something else? I was in Hobby Lobby where I ran across this product that I never seen before. It's Tattered Angels Color Wash Tint, which is water-based!!! It comes in lots of different colors and I suddenly thought that might be the perfect solution! I wanted something sheer, so the wood grain would show, but something with a little bit different finish. This was just the ticket! For $3.00 a bottle I bought two figuring that would be enough, which it was. (I have about 3/4 of a bottle left)

First I chose the Weathered Copper Verdigris color. It's green with very fine Copper powder mixed in. No odor, simple soap cleanup. First I laid out some scrap wood and did a test drive. One coat on the bottom, two on the top. I like one coat better. So here's how you use the tint and I have to say I really love the way it came out. The pictures don't really do it justice.

I laid out plastic bags to paint on top of. With the Copper powder you need to keep stirring and mixing! This project was so simple I'm not going to put a lot of directions here. Basically the manufacturer recommends using a brush, so do not use a sponge brush, but one with bristles. I found with the Copper powder you don't want to over-brush or you move the powder around too much. Just let it soak in. So basically you want to use a light hand. I used about a 2" wide craft brush, and clean up is soap and water. I did all the drawers first, front and back in case I want to add handles or pulls later.

Next I did the cabinet base piece.

I let everything dry overnight.

Since it is a water-based tint the manufacturer recommends using some kind of a polyurethane sealer, which I did. I used clear Varathane with a satin finish. I did use a sponge brush, because I didn't want to have to use mineral spirits to clean up. It didn't seem to affect the tinted finish at all, Copper powder stayed put. Dried in a hour or less, but a little smelly. I had to do indoors since it was so cold out.

I let it dry for a few hours.

I love it!

The finish came out great! Love the Copper under tone from the tint. I l plan on doing some more projects and trying different colors! Lots more photos on my blog!