Give your Wood Project a Distressed Finish
Want to give your wood project that vintage aspect that makes it unique? Well, a distressed finish should do just the trick. You do not have to let your wood project age for decades in order to get that old, well-used appearance that you are so fond of. In a few steps, you will be able to achieve a distressed faux finish that will dazzle your guests.
What you will need:
- Hammer or small chain
- Craft knife
- Awl
- Distressed wood glaze
- Paste wax
- Towel or rag
How to do it
With all of the necessary materials on hand, you can begin the transformation of your wood piece - from a new look to an antique look! With the hammer or small chain, pummel the surface of the wood to achieve ruts and impressions that will make it appear well-used. Then take the craft knife and simply carve some scratches, and with the awl, add wormholes to it. The next step is to take the dark wood glaze and apply it to the imperfections that you have just created; it will highlight the marks and make them more obvious. Finally, using a towel or rag, finish your project by rubbing paste wax over the entire surface, and voilà!
An alternative distressed finish look
If you want to achieve a distressed faux finish on your wood project without the added imperfections described above, a similar approach is required, but with some slight alterations to the process.
Additional supplies you will need:
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrush
- Flat coat
The first thing to do is to use your paintbrush to apply a flat coat on the entire surface of the wood piece. When choosing the color, it is important to pick the right combination of flat coat and glaze in order to get the shade you have in mind. Allow the flat coat to dry for 24 hours, then, apply the paste wax with a towel or rag. The amount or thickness of wax you use is up to you; however, be aware that some chosen areas will need to be sanded down to give them the impression of being worn.
Let the wax dry for about one hour, then, apply the glaze. The flat coat will usually show through the glaze, most specifically where you choose to sand, and in accordance to the level of distress you wish to give to your project. It is best to brush the glaze on in the same direction that you applied the flat coat. It does not have to go on evenly as you want some of the flat coat to show through; that will give it some color highlights. After letting it dry for no more than 24 hours, it is time to sand.
Again, when sanding, know that wherever you sand is going to affect the overall distressed finish look. It is recommended that you practice your sanding technique on another piece of wood prior to tackling your prized project. When you are satisfied with the results of your efforts, start sanding away until your piece has reached the desired distressed aspect that you were aiming for.
To protect your beautiful antique creation, it is recommended that you apply some sort of clear coat finish to the whole surface.
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