Some people are fond of furniture with character and with a bit of history. Most People who love collecting distressed furniture go to flea markets or garage sales to obtain this type of furniture. Little did they know that they can make their distressed gems within their house.
If you want to make your distressed furniture, the first thing that you need to learn is how to distress painted wood with sandpaper. Making distressed gems are easy and fast. You can even make your existing furnishings look like they have been handed down from generation to generation.
Top Three Furniture Distressing Techniques
There are a lot of techniques to distress your furniture. The three most popular methods are the following:
- Wet distressing
- Dry distressing
- The resist technique
One of the above distressing techniques might be your go-to technique for most of your projects. Always keep in mind that you may get different results every time, and it may also look different from the examples, which makes it exciting and fun.
The dry distressing technique is the perfect way to know how to distress painted wood with sandpaper. Keep in mind that room temperature is the best temperature to apply and dry paint. If the temperature is is too humid or cold, the paint will take longer to dry.
Steps on How to Distressed Furniture
Would you like to make your furnishings look like they have been made by previous generations? It is so easy; you only need to know how to distress painted wood with sandpaper.
You can make distressed gems right in your home. You only need to prepare some paint, sandpaper, and a free day to renovate your furniture. You do not need to find furniture build from the previous generation to have the same look. Why wait when you can already make your time-worn piece of furniture.
To know how to distress painted wood with sandpaper, follow these simple steps:
Materials and Tool Needed
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Paintbrushes or rollers
- Polyurethane
- Candle
- Steel wool
- Stain (optional)
- Drop cloths
- Rags or tack cloths
Instructions
After you prepare all the materials and tools needed, you should look for a clean workplace and far from dangerous and flammable materials. Follow these steps to distress painted wood with sandpaper.
Prepare Your Space
You need to prepare the area and spread down drop cloths. Remove all the metal hardware or knobs from the furniture and place them in a safe location.
Sand and Clean the Furniture
Sand the exterior of the piece. If the piece of furniture is unfinished, do a light sanding. For furniture that was previously painted or treated with polyurethane, you will need a more thorough sanding. It would be best if you softened edges or corners of the furniture that are sharp. When sanding is completed, wipe with furniture with a rag or cloth to remove any dirt and dust.
Paint the Piece
If you want your furniture to be looking like it has been painted before, you will need to buy two colors of paint so that the base colors show through when the top layer is distressed. You can use one paint color if you want wood peeking through. Paint the whole furniture and apply a second coat when necessary. Allow the paint to dry completely.
Apply Wax and a Top Layer of Paint (Optional)
If you want the second color to be visible through the final result, rub the painted furniture areas with candle wax, including the edges and corners. The second coating of paint will not stick to the wax, which will make it easy to remove. Paint the entire piece, even the waxed areas.
Distress the Furniture With Sandpaper and Steel Wool
Once the paint on the furniture is fully dry, it is time to remove some of the paint and distress the furniture with sandpaper and steel wool. Use the steel wool to remove the waxed areas and reveal the actual color; this process is applicable if you painted two different coats. On the other hand, if you use just one color, use sandpaper and steel wool to remove the paint on some parts to show the bare wood beneath. Concentrate on the corners and edges and slowly distress the furniture, adding more damage until you are pleased with the result. Wipe off any dust paint or chips with a rag or cloth before applying the finish.
Apply a Stain (Optional)
You can apply a stain to the furniture if you want to give it an antique look. Apply a coat of stain and use a rag to wipe off the stain using a straight motion. Allow the stain to dry.
Protect the Finished Furniture With Polyurethane
Apply a clear polyurethane to seal the furniture and protect the color/s.
Conclusion
Learning how to distress painted wood with sandpaper will help you make your furniture look like it was made many years ago. If you love distressed items, you will no longer need to find and buy this kind of stuff; you can now create your own and make the designs you want anytime. Here’s how to learn more about sandpapers.