Sorry - paint effects question:)

[vicky whitworth]

Hello,
I would like to 'distress' the paint on one side of a new butt and bead partition I have just had built. It's bare paint at the moment. My plan is knot the wood, primer/undercoat, then one coat of Inchyra F&B dead flat, then a top coat (or two) of Rectory Red F&B eggshell, and then rub it back through the red to let the Inchyra show in places.
I;d welcome your thoughts on the best way to do this without it looking too unnatural. Firstly is it sensible to use dead flat or would eggshell be better or is it just personal taste? Secondly how to I achieve the rubbing back? I've heard some people say put some beeswax in the places I want to rub back but do I really need to do this? I want it to look like it's been knocked about over the centuries.
Sorry that this is a dreaded paint effects question. Here's a pic of the partition. Vx

 

[MikeG]

Given the quality of F&B paints, just paint it as best you can. The white will show through the red soon enough.

 

[MikeG]

For a more serious response, I would say that you have no chance of making new timber look old simply by painting it, and if you try to bash that immaculate planed timber about it will look like you've tried to bash it about. Fake "aged" paint effects always look like fake aged paint effects. If you want authentic, I suggest you paint the timber in the way it would have been painted new if it had been built 300 years ago, and not try to fake anything.

 

[Andys]

Like Mike says, paint it like new. Then have a dozen teenagers come and live with you for a fortnight...

I've achieved this paint effect by accident where white paint had been applied in uneven thicknesses over many years. Adding a dark undercoat then sanding down gave a lovely effect. Maybe start with a few coats of high-build primer to simulate years of paint application, then apply the underneath colour in uneven thicknesses so it shows through during sanding without you having to gouge through the top layer to get to it.
This is all speculation of course but perhaps worth experimenting. I guess the main thing is to avoid it looking like a seaside craft shop, all distressed white cabinets etc

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Goodness me that is a sharp reply about the quality of F&B!!!!!!! Vicki, if I were you I woild try out your idea on an off cut if you have one---- use candle wax if you must!!!

But, failing that I would simply use a cheap eggshell in your preferred colour and let it get dusty---otherwise it will look a little too contrived as it is quite a large expanse. It looks very good though and you've created a nice bit of space behind it

 

[MikeG]

..............Goodness me that is a sharp reply about the quality of F&B!!!!!!!........

Hopefully most people could see that it was a serious point made in a jocular fashion.

 

[Andys]

On a bit of a side note, and at the risk of committing a Conservation Thought Crime ( 'confusing the narrative' of the building etc) I'm often distracted by the props and scenery when I'm meant to be watching the drama on the telly, or much more rarely, at a theatre. I dunno if anyone's forked out for the tour of the Harry Potter studios but the quality of the the finishes and the 'ageing' looks pretty impressive to me, considering it's a load of fakery. It'd be fascinating to know how it's done by the professionals. Or maybe it's just what you get from people who are good at Art (?)

 

[TheRoost]

If you are rubbing it back it doesn't really matter if you use dead flat or eggshell, go with the cheapest option if there is a price difference. We like F&B eggshell emulsion and have found it to be durable.

I'd say go for it, if it doesn't work out then it's easy to overpaint.