If you are searching for, How to Distress Wood Furniture?
Then I welcome you to this guide on How to Distress Wooden Furniture Step by Step?
Distressing a Furniture Piece is a simple and easy DIY project, which is seen to be popular among many wood furniture lovers.
The most basic way to distress wooden furniture is to use an antacid and a cut, smooth piece of wood.
If you have a large enough piece of wood, you can distress the furniture even further and make it look much more realistic.
Before you start to paint a wooden furniture piece, you should know that this process is very difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
If we go by the first impression, distressed wood furniture might seem like a messy and time-consuming task.
But in reality, the finish involves very simple steps. Let us see How to Distress Furniture Made of Wood?
What is Distressing of Wooden Furniture?
Distressing is the process of making changes to the appearance, texture, and color of wooden furniture.
Basically, we make our furniture look older or aged by distressing it
There are two types of distressing.
- The first type is to apply an acid on the surface of the wood by using a chemical or liquid.
- The second type is to use a lint roller to rub it gently and thin it evenly.
If you need further information about Distressing the Furniture, you can read this guide.
Essential Tools & Materials Needed for Destressing Furniture
The first step while distressing wood furniture is to ensure that you have the right tools for the job.
Distressing can be done with various types of distressing tools. Some of them are as follows:
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Paintbrushes or Paint Rollers
- Polyurethane
- Candle
- Steel wool
- Stain (optional)
- Drop cloths
- Rags or tack cloths
How to Distress Furniture? Easy 7 Step DIY Guide on Distressing Painted Wooden Furniture
STEP 1: Preparation
Begin by laying down drop cloths and then preparing the area.
Take any metal hardware or knobs that are on the piece and put them away in a safe place and away from the way.
STEP 2: Sand and Clean the Furniture Surfaces
First, sand the furniture’s surfaces. If the furniture isn’t destroyed it is possible to do an easy sanding.
Furniture that has been applied or coated with polyurethane, may require additional sanding.
If you need, you can also smoothen out any edges or corners that appear sharp.
After you’ve finished sanding, remove all the dirt and dust from the piece of furniture using a rag or a cloth.
STEP 3: Paint the Furniture
If you’d like your piece to appear as if it’s been painted previously it, you will need to purchase two different colors of paint to ensure that the base color shines through when the top one is distressed.
If you’d like to see wood peeking through, use only one color.
Paint the entire area and apply another coat if needed.
At last,
Let the paint dry completely.
STEP 4: Apply Wax & Paint(Optional)
If you like another color to shine through the final product Rub various areas of the painting with candlelight, including areas around corner edges.
Second coats of paint will not stick to the wax and will be easy to take off.
Paint the entire area including the waxed areas using two colors.
Must Read: Learn How to Paint Laminated Ikea Furniture
STEP 5: Distress the Furniture Using Steel Wool & Sandpaper
After the piece has completely dry, you can wash off the extra paint and then distress the piece with sandpaper and steel wool.
If you’ve painted two coats, you can use your steel wool to cover the areas of wax and expose that base color.
Sandpaper can be used to create more damage.
If the piece is painted with only one color, use steel wool as well as sandpaper to take off the paint and reveal the unfinished wood underneath.
Focus on the corners and edges and then gradually sand the wood, adding more scratches until you’re pleased with the results.
Remove any paint particles or chips using the help of a cloth or rag prior to applying the finishing.
STEP 6: Apply a Stain (Optional)
If you wish to give your piece, you can also apply stain to your furniture.
Apply one coat of stain, and then employ a rag to wipe off any excess.
Make sure to use a straight motion instead of making the form of a circle.
After this, leave the furniture to dry the stain.
STEP 7: Use Polyurethane to Protect Final Finish of Furniture
Apply a clear, and transparent polyurethane to secure the piece and safeguard the color.
After the finish has completely dried install any knobs and hardware.
Top 5 Ways of Distressing Wood Furniture
Distressing furniture is one of the best ways to add character and personality to your furniture.
Getting into the mindset of how you want your piece to look and then distressing it helps you to get the results that you want.
If you want to distress your furniture, it’s important to know what type of techniques you should use.
There are several ways of distressing furniture, and I will give you a few ideas for each technique.
1. How to Distress Wood Furniture with Sand Paper?
It’s exactly what it sounds like! It is possible to use the sanding block or a scrap of sandpaper or a hand sander, based on the amount of distress you wish to impart in the furniture piece to look.
The trick to make the look authentic is to smooth areas that are likely to wear over time, for instance, close to edges and handles.
2. How to Distressing Wood Furniture with Vaseline?
In this technique, apply petroleum jelly on the areas that will be worn over time before you paint the final color.
You’ll need the base coat either a contrast hue or stain.
After you’ve painted over the Vaseline allow it to dry completely, then lightly sand across the affected areas.
3. How to Distress Wood Furniture with Milk Paint?
The Milk Paint is in powder form, and you can add water to make it liquid.
The paint can provide impressive results, and different methods you employ.
4. How to Distress Wood Furniture with Dry Brushing?
If you are looking for, How to Distress Furniture Without Sanding?
I believe this method is the most simple that requires the least equipment.
For this method, you will need a dry brush that you can lightly apply across the surface.
Have some paper towels in your bag to clean off any paint when required.
5. How to Distress Wood Furniture with Antiquing Wax/Glaze?
To give your furniture an old look, apply a glaze or antiquing wax o it.
The product should adhere easily and be able to take off the majority of it with just a little color left.
This gives you the appearance of paint changing color with time and then naturally getting worn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Distressing a Wooden Furniture
How to Distress Dark Wood Furniture?
If you want o distress your dark wooden furniture, you can do it by dry brushing or sand method which I have already discussed. To do it, you also need to Whitewash Your Furniture to give it an amazing look.