Antique Gold Finish to Classic Mirror Frame

There are several models of gold finish on the wood finishing. Now I want to share an antique gold finish. It is the gold color that impresses the old and dirty-looking. It is the paint gold finish with combination with glaze and physical distress to make antique and old-looking. It is special and often used to finish the classic furniture. In this article, we do the antique gold finish to do the antique classic mirror frame. 

antique gold step panel

 
Here is the finishing process, step by step:

• Physical distress

Physical distress is the physical manipulation to tear and wear the wood to create the damage because of usage and age. You can find more explanation about physical distress in our previous article: physical distress for antik finishing. It is the process to enliven the impression of the antique. Beat and hit the surface by chain, rock, and file a little bit to make some damage on the wood surface. Sand the wood surface to smooth the distress marks.

•  Red base coat application

The red is the most widely used as the base color under the gold finish. Traditionally, the red color will strengthen the gold color on it. In the antique gold finishing, the red color will come through when it is highlighted. The red color will produce a nice combination with the gold color above.
A red-colored base coat is applied by spraying evenly all over the surface. Let it dry and do sanding on the red base coat layer. Then repeat the application of the base coat until we get an even red color and an even surface. Usually we need to apply 2 or 3 layers of base coat to obtain a smooth and even red color.

• Sealer application

Application of sealer is used to coat and protect the base coat and produces a smoother surface before the application of gold leaf. Sealer is applied by a wet spray coat. Wait it to dry and do scuff sanding to prepare a smooth surface for the gold leaf application.

• Application of gold paint

In this finish, we use a gold paint for the gold color. Gold paint is applied by sprayed evenly to the entire surface. Wait for the gold paint to dry. And then do highlight by sanding on the gold paint layer.

Sand trough on the gold paint to show the red base color

•  Sand trough

Sand trough is sanding the gold layer to open the gold color in some parts. The rubbed gold paint layer will display the red base color. The combination of gold and gold colors will produce a gold finish with life and a natural antique look.
Do the sanding on the surface of gold carefully. Use sandpaper with # 360 ​​or # 280 grade. Rub to the outer edges parts of the gold paint. Do the rub trough naturally as much as possible to make an impression of paint wearing since of age and usage. The finishing appearance is largely determined by the rub trough in this step. Check the antique result and make sure it seems as we want before we continue with the next process.

• Sealer application

The sealer coat is required to give protection to the gold color. Layer a coat of sealer by spray-wetting it evenly. Wait for it to dry, then we can continue with the glaze application. We do not need to do sanding on this step. 

Glaze is brushed to fill the crevices inside the carving

•  Glaze application

The glaze is used to generate a more antique impression in the finishing. In this finishing, we use a black-gray powder glaze to mimic the dust look. Glaze is brushed evenly to fill inside the crevices in the carving.
Wait for the powder glaze to dry, then highlight by using steel wool. Wipe and remove the glaze on the outside part, and leave the glaze inside of the carving. We want to make an old-looking dusty gold finish.

• Sealer

The sealer application is needed to protect the finishing look. Apply a layer of sealer by spraying it evenly to the entire surface. Wait for the sealer coat to dry, then scuff sanding the sealer to prepare a smooth surface before the top coat application.

• Top coat

Top coat as a final layer, which provides protection to the finish and forms gloss. In this antique finish model, we can use a low or medium gloss top coat.
Apply the top coat by spraying evenly to the surface overall. Wait for the top coat to dry and the finishing process to be completed.

the antique gold finish