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How to Distress Furniture

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Last Updated: April 6, 2021References

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This article was co-authored by Tanglewood Sue and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Tanglewood Sue is a DIY and Upcycling Specialist and the Owner of Tanglewood Works out of Hyattsville, Maryland. With over nine years of experience, Sue specializes in upcycled painted furniture and other handmade, personalized, and sustainable goods. With her passion for art and reinvention, marketing experience, and Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Media, Sue has been able to create a business that not only provides quality pieces but empowers customers to create their works through her library of DIY tutorials and live demos as well as DIY supplies.

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This article has been viewed 75,277 times.

Distressing is a simple process that makes newer furniture look antique by manually adding wear and tear. You can distress wood, laminate, or metal easily by yourself to make your furniture unique. While the project does require paint with a chalky finish and sealing wax, you can finish the rest with tools and supplies around your own home. Once you’re finished distressing your furniture, you’ll have a brand new piece that looks like it’s been passed down for generations!

Steps

Method 1Method 1 of 2:Distressing Wood and Laminate

Method 2Method 2 of 2:Aging Metal Furniture

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Things You’ll Need

Distressing Wood and Laminate

Aging Metal Furniture

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About This Article

Co-authored by:Tanglewood SueDIY & Upcycling SpecialistThis article was co-authored by Tanglewood Sue and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Tanglewood Sue is a DIY and Upcycling Specialist and the Owner of Tanglewood Works out of Hyattsville, Maryland. With over nine years of experience, Sue specializes in upcycled painted furniture and other handmade, personalized, and sustainable goods. With her passion for art and reinvention, marketing experience, and Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Media, Sue has been able to create a business that not only provides quality pieces but empowers customers to create their works through her library of DIY tutorials and live demos as well as DIY supplies.This article has been viewed 75,277 times.5 votes - 80%Co-authors:11Updated: April 6, 2021Views: 75,277Categories: Featured Articles | Furniture Finishes | Furniture Makeover and Repurposing ProjectsArticle SummaryX

To distress wood and laminate furniture, start by stripping off the finish using 120-grit sandpaper, and wiping the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and dust. Next, dry the surface with a clean cloth and apply a coat of chalk paint, which has a matte finish and scrapes off easily. Once the paint is dry, brush on a second coat and let it sit for 3 to 4 days so the paint adheres to the furniture. Afterwards, use another piece of 120-grit sandpaper to scrape off the paint from areas where you would normally see wear and tear, like the corners and edges. Finally, rub your furniture with a cheesecloth dipped in finishing wax to seal the wood and paint. To learn more, including how to distress metal furniture, scroll down!

Did this summary help you?In other languagesPortuguês:Envelhecer MóveisEspañol:dar un aspecto desgastado a un muebleThanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 75,277 times.