Do you love the look of galvanized metal wall art, planters, counters, or tabletops? So do we! That’s why Amy is showing us how to create beautiful metal patinas this week on Finish Friday. Follow along with the video if you want to learn how to use Amy Howard at Home’s Zinc Antiquing Solution to make all your metal pieces look aged and stylish.

What You’ll Need to Follow Along With Amy & Gene

1. Zinc Antiquing Solution
2. Light Antiquing Wax
3. Clean Slate
4. Surgical gloves (to protect your hands)
5. Lint-free rag
6. Galvanized or sheet metal surface
7. Round Hog Hair Brush
8. Optional: Stencils

How to Age a Metal Surface

To get started on your galvanized metal project, whether it’s a metal wall square, a cabinet or countertop, or a lovely little planter, you’ll need a clean surface. Most galvanized steel surfaces have a slightly oily surface from the production process, which is why you need to clean them with the Clean Slate. Also make sure you buy an unfinished metal surface that doesn’t have a clear coat or any sort of surface protectant. These coatings will prevent the zinc solution from working.

Once your surface is cleaned and dried, it’s time to pour your Zinc Antiquing Solution into a bowl and put on your gloves. Dip your rag into the solution, letting it get totally soaked with the zinc solution, then apply it heavily to your piece. Amy’s husband, Gene, shows you the right way to apply the Zinc Antiquing Solution in this video, so make sure to follow along there.

Of course, if you don’t want a heavy aged finish, you can use less solution on your rag. Once your surface has been patted down with the solution, you can wait a moment for the solution to start aging the metal. Once you see darker areas start to form, rub your rag in circular motions over the darker areas to get a more authentic finish. As Gene tells us in the video, do not rub or apply the solution in circular motions the first time you apply the solution — you will get circular finish marks that ruin the patina appearance.

Set your piece aside to dry for a few minutes and, once the majority of the solution has dried, use a clean lint-free rag to clean up any excess liquid. Once it dries, the zinc solution will create a variegated patina that looks aged, rough, and perfect for your metal surface.

Make Your Metal Surface All Your Own

When you’ve applied the Zinc Antiquing Solution to your piece, you may decide that’s all the refinishing it needs. Paint it, stripe it, stencil it — whatever you want to do. The zinc solution on top of galvanized metal is a great way to decorate. Our stencils are a great way to add a decorative touch to your metal project. Using a Amy Howard at Home stencil in your choice of design, apply the stencil to your piece and pat your zinc solution on into the spaces of the stencil. The areas where you apply more zinc solution within your stencil will have a darker color than the others, giving it a beautiful and subtle patina pattern.

Last but not least, don’t forget to use your wax. The zinc solution gives a beautiful finish to your metal surface, but it will scratch and stain if it remains unprotected. To add a protective coat to your metal surface, apply the Light Antiquing Wax to your round brush and offload the excess as always. Apply in a light brushing motion, making sure to not get the wax on too thick. Let the wax come to tack for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then you can buff the wax with a lint-free rag. After that, you’ll have a beautiful sheen on top of your aged patina!

Of course, Amy and Gene give even more helpful tips in the video, so check that out before or during your own metal antiquing project.

Learn More on the Next Finish Friday

Did you register for the Zinc Antiquing Solution giveaway? Tune into the Finish Friday video to see if your name was called. Finish Friday is every Friday at noon Central, so make sure to like our Facebook page and “Follow” it as well. You’ll get notifications when we go live so you never miss it!