DIY: How to Antique Your Crown Molding

Crown molding can add elegance and charm to your room. Antiquing your crown molding will add that designer look to your room, at a fraction of the cost. You will need to wash all the crown molding, then dry with a clean cloth. Remove any furniture or objects that are near where you will be antiquing.

You will need a ladder, paint brush, painting tape, primer and some drop cloths. Place your drop cloths around your work area. Take your paint tape and place above and below the crown molding you will be antiquing. Paint your primer on the crown molding. Make sure the primer is completely dry before you start antiquing.

In this next step you will need poster board, acrylic dark brown paint, paint brush. water-based polyurethane sealant, clean cloths, paint tray, and clear glazing medium. Take your paint tray to mix your glaze. Use a mixture of 90 percent glaze, and 10 percent paint. Stir. Test to see if the glaze is the desired color you wanted for antiquing. Paint a line of this glaze mixture on a piece of poster board or an old piece of wood. Let dry. If you would like the color to be lighter, add more glaze. If you would like the color to be darker, add more paint. Remember paint and and glaze dry darker.

Now you have your glaze, you can start antiquing. Use a paintbrush that is the same size as your molding. Apply your glaze in a thin even coat. While your glaze is still wet, take a damp cloth and firmly wipe of your glaze. Continue this process throughout the room. If you want your antique finish to have a more distressed look, take sandpaper, and rub gently till the raw wood is exposed. Gently paint the glaze on, and then wipe with your damp cloth. Another option is to use a piece of plastic wrap to wipe off the glaze instead of a cloth. This will give your antique finish a marbleized look. When it is completely dry, paint your finish with the sealant. This will add extra shine and durability to you antique crown molding. When completely dry, carefully remove your paint tape. All of the products needed for this project can be found at your local hardware store, or Home Depot.

Antiquing your crown molding will add beauty to your room. Another great idea is to antique a table or chair in this same glaze. Use it for accent pieces in your room. For more information go to www.diynetwork.com.