QA

How To Paint Distressed Furniture

What paint to use on distressed furniture?

Yes you can distress furniture paint with regular flat latex paint. It’s a budget friendly alternative. A flat latex paint is easy to sand and you can use my vinegar and water distressing technique . You can layer two colors, and create lots of the looks if you use flat latex paint.

What kind of sandpaper do you use to distress furniture?

Step 3) Distressing Once your final paint coat is dry, you can start distressing it with fine-grit sandpaper. You can start with 180 grit sandpaper to see how you like the look, but feel free to experiment with other grits. The higher the number, the finer the sandpaper.

Can you whitewash over painted wood?

Whitewashing works best on raw wood. That being the case, it’s critical that you remove as much of any existing finish—be it paint, stain, or varnish—as possible. Do so by thoroughly sanding the surface you intend to whitewash. Sanding by hand is one option, but it’s far quicker and easier to opt for a power sander.

How do you make a dresser look distressed?

Prepare Your Space. Start by laying down drop cloths and preparing the area. Sand and Clean the Piece. Sand the surface of the piece. Paint the Piece. Apply Wax and Top Layer of Paint (Optional) Distress the Piece with Sandpaper and Steel Wool. Apply a Stain (Optional) Protect the Finished Piece with Polyurethane.

Do you have to use chalk paint to distress furniture?

Chalk paint is great for achieving a distressed look on furniture. Everyone has their preferences but I still believe the best paint for farmhouse furniture is latex. Latex allows you to distress and you can even achieve a very matte finish without waxing with this flat clear coat (check the current price here).

How do you get white rustic look on wood?

First dilute the white paint with water, to a consistency of heavy cream. Dip a rag into the paint and wipe it onto the wood surface. Use it as a white wash stain. Repeat with another 1-2 layers if you want it to look more white.

What is chalk paint?

Chalk Paint® is a decorative furniture paint specifically designed by Annie Sloan to be easy to use, quick, and reliable. Chalk Paint® very rarely requires any preparation, such as sanding or priming, and can be used indoors or outside, on just about any surface.

Do I distress or wax first?

When you distress your furniture after you apply your initial coat of wax, you don’t want to wait a day or two to do so. You will have an easier time of it if you distress immediately after you paint and wax… before the paint has had a chance to thoroughly dry and begin its curing process.

How long should chalk paint dry before distressing?

Most recommend waiting 24 hours of dry time in between each one, although Annie Sloan says it will often harden well before that. According to the Annie Sloan Unfolded F.A.Q., a piece will take about 30 days to cure in its entirety, but you should be able to use it gently within 24 hours. Step 12. Clean your wax brush.

Can you distress already stained wood?

To distress wood that is already painted, remove some of the paint on the edges and in the high-use areas of the piece with sandpaper or another abrasive material. You can also apply a stain to the edges and high-use areas of your piece for a more modern-messy or patchy-distressed look.

How do you whitewash dark wood furniture?

The Best Way to Whitewash Wood Stain the wood (or leave it raw for a light finish). Mix 2 parts white paint (flat latex or matte acrylic both work fine) with 1 part water. Brush on the water/paint mixture in the direction of the wood grain. Use a clean rag to wipe off the paint in the direction of the wood grain.

How do you make painted wood look rustic?

The most simple and straight forward method to distress wood is to sand some of the paint off. This technique works great on both already painted wood and unpainted wood. The key is to sand random areas that tend to get bumped or scratched naturally, so it looks organic.

How do you whitewash painted wood furniture?

Steps: Mix paint and water to desired consistency (for this example, I used equal parts). Dip rag in mixture and apply it liberally to the wood as you would a stain, wiping over it with a rag to evenly distribute it. Dry and repeat coats until desired opacity.

Can I whitewash a painted surface?

Scuff the painted or stained surface with 180-grit sandpaper. Don’t sand deeply; roughing up the surface increases whitewash adhesion. If the surface is greasy, oily or heavily soiled, wash it down with warm, soapy water; an all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate.

What Colours can you get in chalk paint?

As detailed above, chalk paint comes in a variety of colors, ranging from white to light green, as well as shades of red, pink, and gray. You can choose whichever color you like, provided it pairs well with the color of the furniture you are painting.