Aging/distressing

[Jon_Brooke]

I've got some 1920's oil paintings to frame and I want to put them into painted wooden frames with aging/distressing to match the slightly dirty, slightly knocked about look of the pictures.

In the past I've done multiple coats of paint and rubbed back with wire wool, and used a Fiddes mellow wax soemtimes with some liming wax mixed in, but anyone got any top tips for other ways of aging/distressing.

Frames are already made in obeche.

Thanks!

[JFeig]

Some of the "tools of the trade" for recreating distressed period frames when gilding are"
rasp files for taking down edges
rough sandpaper for general abrasion
awls or drills for holes
a heat gun
craquelure paints - paints that self create cracks
hammers and other hard/heavy objects for dents and dings
glazes filled with such things as - ashes, rotten stone, dry pigments, etc.
multi-layers to finishes with the adjoining layers using different solvent bases so as to not take off the previous layer

OR

just give it to a 2 year old to play with for a bit.

[vintage frames]

Your method is good. Go for multiple coats of paint. Rub a little wax on to the edges between coats, that makes it quick to rub through into the bottom colour.
After the paint has dried, give the frame an overglaze with a transparent antique tone solution. This will knock back the rather garish look of 'new' paint.
Make an antique solution with-
1 inch of Burnt Sienna Winton Oil Paint - that's the cheaper student W&N brand.
1 inch of Raw Umber " "

Mix them together with some white spirits to a thinnish glaze then stir in some Winsor& Newton Artists Matt Varnsish.
This can now be painted or dabbed on with a cotton pad.
And then some wax if you want it a bit glossy.
You can get all this from Jacksons Art Supplies.

[Jon_Brooke]

I'll give your antique solution a try.

FYI here are a couple of the frames I did for that customer.

[vintage frames]

That is working really well for you.
Another trick you could try, on the raw wood, run a Stanley knife along the outer top edge of the frames, shaving off just the slightest amount and only incidental here and there.
Then rub around with 320grit paper to blend in the effect.
This will take off the crisp new edge look of the moulding.

[prospero]

The most convincing method for worm holes is a Dremel with a fine engraving tool.

Another fine point... to simulate accumulations of smoky residue, apply a mucky wash and make it
heavy on the top, lighter on the sides a almost clean on the bottom.