Tricked a buyer into paying $300 for a fake antique vase using just vinegar and dirt

I was stuck with this ugly modern vase no one wanted at my flea market booth, so I rubbed it with vinegar and buried it in my garden for a week to age it. A collector from Texas bought it on the spot thinking it was 1800s Victorian - has anyone else pulled off a fake patina trick that actually worked?

2 comments

2 Comments

brianm6618d ago

Did you try letting it dry fully before burying it? Vinegar can leave a crust that rubs right off if you don't seal it with something like weak tea or wax first. That Texas buyer might notice the fake wear peeling in a month or two.

val_bailey6617d ago

Did you see that post on the relic'ing forums about using instant coffee instead of weak tea? I read somewhere that the coffee blend sticks better to the vinegar crust and gives it a more natural look when it dries. I mean, I've never tried it myself, but the guy who posted it had photos showing his before and after, and it looked pretty convincing. Maybe it's just me, but I'd be worried about the Texas buyer catching on too. That's a lot of money to risk on a quick fix if it starts peeling later.