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Into arts and crafts? Check out the great craft ideas in this Howcast video series.
You Will Need
- A solid piece of quality wood
- A chain, a rock, or keys
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrushes
- Strong, cold coffee or tea
- Dirt or coffee grounds
- Wood stain
- Lacquer
- Lye (optional)
- Safety gear (optional)
Steps
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Lye is a hazardous chemical. Never mix lye with aluminum. Wear safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and a vapor-resistant mask when using lye.
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Step 1
Distress the wood
Distress the wood by beating the surface with a chain, rock, keys, or other implement that will scar the surface.
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Lye will also change wood's color, texture, and appearance, but is caustic and can cause chemical burns.
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Step 2
Sand wood
Sand the wood lightly to smooth any rough spots.
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Step 3
Brush on coffee or tea
Brush on coffee or tea with a paintbrush to add a patina to the wood surface. Aged wood typically has dark spots from handling and air exposure.
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Step 4
Rub in dirt or coffee grounds
Rub dirt or coffee grounds into the wood surface once it has dried completely. This further accentuates the distressed areas in the wood.
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Step 5
Brush on stain
Brush on wood stain with a clean paintbrush.
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Step 6
Brush on lacquer
Apply a coat of lacquer using a clean paintbrush after allowing stain to dry completely. The lacquer seals the wood and gives a finished look.
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Did you know? In 2008, Scientists in Sweden identified a 9,500-year-old spruce as the world's oldest living tree.
