So many bottles have very unique shapes, but unless they’re old they’re mostly worthless. Even if they have no monetary value you might want to set some here and there because of their unique shape or design, simply because you like them. But if you really like the look of antique bottles, there are some things you can do to make clear bottles look much older than they are.
Use stain to give bottles an antique look by brushing or wiping it onto the bottle. Stains that aren’t too dark are best. Apply one coat to the outside of the bottle, including around the rim, and allow to dry thoroughly. Add another coat if you want the bottle to look darker. Since most bottles and jars today are clear, adding a dark stain to a bottle makes it look much older than it is, particularly if you stain the lid as well.
Masking tape does wonders when it comes to antiquing bottles. Tear small piece in various lengths and widths and place them at random angles all over the bottle. The bottle should be completely covered with the tape, but only one layer, even if they overlap somewhat. Now apply the varnish or stain to the bottle and allow to dry. A second coat might be necessary. The tape gives the bottle a look of many cracks and the stain gives it an antique color. Instead of tape you can use string. Put one coat of stain on the bottle, and immediately stick pieces of string to the bottle. Then put another coat of stain on the bottle, covering the string well. The string will look slightly darker than the rest of the stain, making the bottle look old and cracked.
Crackle paint that’s sold at craft stores gives most any bottle a very antique look. The crackle is a step-by-step process that begins with a base coat. Different kits have different colors of base coat, like brick red or white. The base coat is brushed lavishly onto the bottle, getting well down into any cracks or crevices of the design. Check package instructions for drying times between steps. After drying thoroughly, a coat of adhesive is brushed onto the bottle, which will leave the glass sticky. Foil sheets are provided in gold, pewter, silver and bronze, depending upon the kit you choose. The foil is pressed onto the adhesive, all over the bottle. Squeezing or rubbing the foil onto the glass helps the adhesive get a good hold of it. When the foil is pressed well into the adhesive, it is then pulled off, where parts of the foil remain attached; and in other areas, the brick red or other base coat shows through. The affect is that of a bottle that has been painted and re-painted, and is now peeling.
Other ways to make bottles look antique include cutting ad replicas from magazines and using decoupage to affix the labels to bottles, printing out label replicas onto clear adhesive paper to stick onto the bottles, using glass paints to barely paint the bottle green, or using a deep blue glass paint to give the bottle a dark blue hue. You can also spread a thin layer of plaster on the bottle, and attach half marbles or craft stones. Mix colored paint into the plaster for a grout appearance.
