Antler Chandeliers: How to Stain

Do you want to stain your antler chandelier? In this article, you will learn how.

Whether you're trying to match your antler chandelier to a new color scheme, repair a fracture, or simply to bring new life to an old and faded set, you're going to want to use a stain. In this article, we will go step by step through the delicate process of staining an antler chandelier.

Step 1: Sand it Down

It is important to give your antler chandelier a good sanding before you begin. If any of the paint or stain is flaking off while you reapply a fresh coat, you will have to start again from scratch. Use a light 80 grit sandpaper and apply it vigorously.

Step 2: Clean the Antler Chandelier

The worst thing you can do is avoid this critical step. If you stain on top of antler that is in any way dusty from sanding, the stain will not stick and you could be left with patches that flake off. Clean the entire surface of your chandelier with the eye of a surgeon using a rag, then dry it using a different rag. You may want to use sticky tack cloth to ensure you get in all the cracks.

Step 3: Prepare for Primer

You might not necessarily want to stain the entire chandelier. If this is the case, apply tape to those areas that you want to remain as they are. This is especially important if you are merely repairing your chandelier. Cover all areas you want to stay the same with a drop cloth for extra protection.

Step 3: Apply the Primer

There are many different primers that you can use. If you prefer to spray, use a white acrylic latex spray enamel. Apply it generously to ensure none of the original color can be seen, especially in the cracks. Wear a mask and be sure to spray at least 8" from the surface so that the primer doesn't pool. Let it sit for 2 hours. If you would prefer to paint on the primer, use a painters brush and be sure to get into all the cracks. Let it sit for 24 hours if you paint on your primer.

Step 4: Apply the Stain

The staining process is fairly straight forward and requires much less time than all the prep work that came before. Make sure the stain is the right color by only applying a small sample and leaving it to dry. If the color matches what you had hoped for, apply it to the rest of the antlers. Use an acrylic spray enamel, ensuring that you spray around 8" from the surface to protect it from pooling.

In following the above steps your antler chandelier will look as good as new. Good luck!


------

Bringing the best of nature home is what CDN Antler does with their real (naturally shed) and cast antler chandeliers, lighting, furniture and accessories.