A paint brush has been my best friend this summer. (when isn’t it, really?) I have painted our entire exterior of our home, twice, by myself. That doesn’t include the furniture pieces I have done as well. I guess that makes me a lean, mean, paintin’ machine…or just plain nuts. ahem.

Since our home is taking on a more rustic appeal, I wanted to give these metal items an earthy look. In my mind, there was no other way to go than an aged copper look. You know, the lovely copper color with a green cast to it…oooh…perfect patina.
This time, though, a spray paint and a rag are my best friends. Follow along and I’ll show you how to make anything; wood, metal, plastic, into a faux tarnished copper piece.

I have really come to love the newer Rustoleum spray paint products with all the different metals…hammered, aged, and rustic, and it sticks to anything. Right away I knew I wanted to use their Aged Copper spray paint. These cans are great! You can spray in any angle, whether upside down or not, the flow never cuts off (unless it needs shaken).
*affiliate links are included in this post.

Next I sprayed like none other. (Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area!!)
Tip: When spraying a surface or object, make sure you begin spraying before you hit the piece and continue until you’re off the piece – working in back-and-forth motions. This will give a nice even look.
Here’s after only the first coat.
After 3 coats (which took 3 full cans to do both awning top & underside + flower box), allowing for drying time in between, I was ready for the next step.
Most aged copper not only has that awesome bluish-green cast to it, but it also gets a dark mottling or splotchy marks. So, in order to achieve that look, I took dark gray paint and thinned it with a little water, then took an old t-shirt rag and dipped it in. I pounced all over and under the awning and window box, making it as random as possible, and darker in some places than others.
Once that coat dried, I dipped my gloved fingers back into the thinned gray paint and flicked splotches all over in a random manner. Tapping it lightly with a rag so the drops didn’t look round. That extra bit really gave it a true aging look.
My end idea was to get an in-process copper aging, not a completely green color. In order to do that, I took a minty green paint and thinned it like the gray paint earlier. This time I did a glazing; wiping it all over and then wiping it off with a cotton cloth leaving a little behind here and there – all the while giving it a that luscious green color cast.
Just simply wipe it on with a generous amount, allowing it to fill in any nooks and crannies.
Then gently wipe off, leaving a washed layer behind.










Here’s a little ditty I sang to myself while up there: (didn’t know I sing while I work, did you? tsk.)
“Up on the housetop, Mama paints.
It’s all good until she faints.
Give her a hammer with lots of nails.
She’ll come down when the kiddies wail.”
{applause}
Share if you love this!
Now onto our shutters and window boxes for the rest of the house. sigh. Maybe I’ll show you how to do that too…if you say pretty please! I will share before and after photos of our home when and if we ever get it done, so become a follower to see the progress.
Give this finish a try…I know you’ll LOVE it!!
More makeover project for you:
14 Comments
Hi Larissa,
How clever of you to create the way to make a change without making it look brand new. I so agree with attention to the age of a home. I’m visiting you from The Dedicated House link and would enjoy having you drop by #9 to see me.
Thanks,
July 29, 2013 at 6:33 pmHelen
Hi Helen! Thanks for stopping by and your kind words. I’d love to stop by! :o)
July 29, 2013 at 6:53 pmLooks great, Larissa! The paint looks so authentic and goes great with the color of your house. 🙂
July 31, 2013 at 11:30 amThanks, Kelly! It’s fooled some neighbors so far, and I just finished our cupola… I think it looks good…makes the house gel.
July 31, 2013 at 12:53 pmWhat a great project! It turned out perfect. I will have to look for that spray the next time I am out. Thanx for partying at THT!
August 1, 2013 at 5:36 amThank you, Pamela! The paint is great stuff…my favorite is Oil Rubbed Bronze. I’ve used it on everything…my standing lamps, knobs, drawer pulls, etc.
August 1, 2013 at 10:40 amThat’s such a clever idea….love how you gave it new life too!
XO,
August 1, 2013 at 11:00 amChristine
Yep, so rewarding to reclaim my own property and add that extra touch. Thanks, Christine! :o)
August 1, 2013 at 11:03 amWow!! I didn’t know they had this new color, buying some today, or soon. It turned out so awesome, and great tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing at Redoux!
August 7, 2013 at 9:12 pmYep, it’s a great color and so versatile! Glad you liked it. :o)
August 7, 2013 at 10:30 pmLOVE the door color!! Can you please tell me what it is? I need to repaint my mustard-colored door, and yours is the exact shade I’ve been thinking of……..
April 21, 2016 at 10:33 amThank you, Julie! I actually custom mixed it myself with paint I had on hand…sorry!
April 21, 2016 at 4:05 pmUmmm, what brand/type paint did you use for your aging? (The grey and patina green/blue) You show the spray paint used, then do not mention the others at all.
September 11, 2017 at 11:01 amIt was what I had on hand and I did this over 3 years ago. It doesn’t really matter the shade since the effect will be the same. 🙂
September 11, 2017 at 5:46 pm