Zinc is a hot “thing” right now. You’re seeing zinc furniture, zinc letters, and all things zinc in home decor. It looks so cool, but it’s expensive. Now, I’m going to say that as much as I love paint, I am not a fan of faux. Mainly, because it looks….well, faux. My friend, Jami from Freckled Laundry, recently painted a “zinc” dresser and did a great job, I might add. When we were e-mailing about her technique, she mentioned the possibility of using tin foil to achieve the look of zinc. I had no plans to test it out, but then, I started working on this frame. It was part particle board, part metal…it was ugly and paint just wasn’t going to fix it. I needed to decoupage something over the frame to hide the imperfections. I was a little tired of craft paper and sheet music, so I went for the foil to give it a go.
…and I think it turned out pretty well. What do you think?
Here’s the technique:
Cut your pieces of tin foil to the size you want. Crinkle it and then smooth it out. Apply Mod Podge to the surface of your frame/furniture and apply the tin foil immediately. Smooth out the foil and make sure it is in full contact with the surface. Apply a second coat of Mod Podge on top of the foil and allow it to dry. Once dry, brush on Aphaltum glaze by Valspar and blot off with a balled up dry paper towel. Repeat this process until you’ve achieved the depth of color you want. Since this is a frame, I did not apply a top coat, but you will want to apply a top coat if you’re working on a piece of furniture.
So, we’ll see if it sells!
I also painted an antique ornate frame with an “oops” blue I bought from Lowe’s.
I applied the paint without a primer and rubbed off some of the blue paint to reveal the original gold. I also used Asphaltum glaze on this frame to bring out the depth of detail.
I know my handwriting in chalk looks like my three year old wrote it. I write like junk on a chalkboard. I think I should just stick to drawing pictures. Maybe one of the lovely ladies coming to Lucketts can write some quotes on my chalkboards in decent handwriting.
Both of these frames will be for sale in my booth at Lucketts. For those of you who have asked, The Old Lucketts Fair is a craft and antique fair that is held in Lucketts, Virginia. It is a tiny town that is an awesome antique hot spot. The fair is August 28-29, 2010. There will be loads of craft verndors, antiques dealers, music, food, and activities for children. Admission is $5.00.
Just to answer a few questions. The glaze is made by Valspar, which can be purchased at Lowes and the color I used is Asphaltum. It’s a very dark brown, but reads almost as black. I don’t think a burnt umber glaze would look as good. Second, I used regular weight tin foil and I would be a little nervous that the heavy duty foil would be a bit too much for the Mod Podge, but who knows!
I’m sharing this on SNS at Donna’s.
43 Responses
Your "zinc" looks great! Would you recommend regular weight aluminum foil? Any reason to use the heavy duty kind?
This weekend I will be bleaching my drop cloth according to MMS! Thanks for so many inspiring posts!!
I love both of these so much! I have a few old frames just laying around I've been wanting and waiting to do this to. Thank you for the inspiration!!! (The wanting was to paint but I may try this whole faux finish as well).
Is Aphaltum a color or a brand?
Love these frames.
Lovely greetings…
Love the "zinc" frame!
I'm definitely trying this one!
Aluminum foil! Who knew!
Thanks for the thoughtful shout out, Marian! That "zinc" frame looks ah-mazing! So happy you're the risk taker. It definitely paid off in this situation. I just picked up an Ethan Allen desk for 5 beans but the top is shot…maybe I'll try the tin foil on it. Hmmm. I love the other frame, too. Oh, how I wish I could just pack up and head to Lucketts for the day!
Jami
Love the "zinc"!
Love both frames! Might have to try the "faux" zinc one. It would look nice in my daughter's new room. I plan to bleach a dropcloth too…making a headboard for older daughter's new room.
Both frames are super. Love your drawings too! I have not heard of this technique before but it looks real in the photos. Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE the foil frame… I need to find something to try this on… how fun! I love your new blog look too! Have a great weekend!
I love it when other people try things first, and then pass on their "how to" experience(s) to us!! As usual, you've done a great job. Love both frames, but am anxious to try the foil!!!! Thanks again!
It looks great!
I really like that. Now I need to find something to zinc-ify. I wonder how that would hold up on a small table top? And is it necessary to wrinkle the foil first?
love the Zinc look on the frame!! i may have to try this just not sure where it will fit in at.
It looks fabulous!!! I love them both!! And thanks for the how to!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Both are wonderful. I love the aluminum foil idea! You talked about your chalk board writing…are you left handed? I am. You print like I do…and left handed people are very creative….so I am thinking you are.
Penny
I love both of those frames but the "zinc" frame is gorgeous! I love the tutorial. And I think even I can do that! LOL
Thank you!
What clever ideas – these will fly off the booth!
Wow, the frame even has the look of silver leafed. I love the texture.
Very nice.
hugs
Sissie
What a GREAT idea!!! I love it! Your frames look Fab!! I gotta try this one!! I'm checking to see how far Lucketts Va is from Charlotte NC…I need a trip!!
Have a great weekend
Tammy 🙂
I'm going to have to try my hand at the zinc finish. Interesting and not the normal white
I love the aluminum foil idea, it looks great. Most of all I love the little picture you drew on the board. It is so sweet and I may have to use it as inspiration on my chalkboard.
Your frames turned out so good. I love them! The technique with the tin foil is awesome. I want to try that out. Love & blessings from NC!
I love how the foil turned out and the other frame looks great too. Thank you for sharing again!!
Thank you for the nice comments so long ago. I guess if I am going to blog I need to check and post more often.
Thank you!
Always, Teresa
Your bog is always so inspiring to me! You create such wonderful pieces. This "zinc" is amazing. I must find something to try this on.
xx-Gina
Love this. Did you apply the foil with the shiny side up or the dull side up? It looks like the dull side but I'm not sure. Thanks!
They both turned out beautifully! I love the drawings and I think you write just fine on chalkboard. My chalkboard writing always looks like it is on the end of a kite the way it travels up! Love that "oops" blue. I always say I'm going to look at "oops" paint and see what's there.
Those frames look so good! I'm sure they will sell fast. Thanks for the instructions to make the zinc frame. I'm going to try that. I think I'll make one with chalkboard for my sewing room and write inspiring quotes on it.
So when you sell the pieces, is the chalk sealed somehow so that it does not smear? When sealing it, I would think that it would smudge. Do tell 🙂 THANKS!
Brilliant! Never would have thought to use tin foil.
Laura
http://www.HappyHomemakerUK.blogspot.com
Tin foil… that's crazy! And so accessible. Very cool and creative idea!
Donna
Very nice effect. Isn't is amazing what a little glaze can do?
This is an amazing effect…so real looking! I can't wait to try it….just found a dozen old frames in the back of a closet last week and one of them (at least) will have to have this done to it. Now I know why I hate reading your blog…you keep me SO busy! In fact, I saw your distressed rocker, had to do it myself (two months ago) and then had to start a BLOG, TOO! Learned tons in the last two months. Thank you!
xoxo
Nancy
Both beautiful. Terrific faux zinc technkque. TFS
Kathy
This is great! I can't believe its tin foil! I've mentioned your creation in my Fan Friday's post on my blog Five Sixteenths. Please pop by: http://fivesixteenthsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/fan-fridays-can-do-diy-spirit.html
Oh man, now I am really bummed we missed the Luckett's Fair! It's only about 30 minutes from our house, but we already had plans that weekend.
Are you doing any other fairs this fall in Northern Virginia?
LOVE both of these! You are so talented with your little branch & bird…I have NO artisitic inklings and am so awed by folks like you… These are gorgeous and I'll have to try the zinc look technique-tfs =0)
Hi Marian! Love these frames! I have a question for you…what material did you use to paint the chalkboard paint on? I've made a few chalkboards from an old door, old cabinet doors, an old metal serving tray and they've all turned out great. However, I have some old open frames I'd like to add a chalkboard to and I'm not sure what to buy to paint on and insert into the frames. What has worked for you?
Sincere Blessings to you and I appreciate your help,
Missy
oneshabbyprincess@hotmail.com
This zinc idea is great. I have an end table that is perfect for this technique. Curious though, do you put the shiny side of foil up or down?
Thanks for this post!
I applied it shiny-side-up, but you could use it either way.
This would look great with my decor, YAY!
You are awesome. That is all.