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Do-It-Yourself

Painting Techniques


Distressing

Distressing can make the surface look mildly or truly beaten up. The more layers of paints you use, the more aged and interesting the effect will appear.

Sealer and Finish:3lb cut shellac (amber or clear), denatured alcohol.
Base Coat: National Trust Matt or National Eggshell .
Glaze: National Trust Matt or National Eggshell , water


Steps:
  1. Using 400-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the surface just to remove any splinters. Wipe with the tack cloth.
  2. If you wish, seal the wood with the shellac and alcohol mixture before painting. Apply the mixture with a foam brush. Let it dry. Lightly sand the surface and wipe with the tack cloth.
  3. Apply the base coat with a chip or house painter's brush. Do not worry if the coverage is not even. Let the paint dry for 1 - 2 days, as necessary.
  4. Sand the entire surface lightly and irregularly using 220 or 180 grit sandpaper.
  5. Continue sanding, removing more paint in some areas.
  6. Mix the first color glaze. With the 3" chip brush, streak the glaze evenly over the surface. Brush loosely in the direction of the wood grain if your surface has multiple components, such as rails and stiles; be sure to rotate the brush appropriately.
  7. At this point the distressing is soft rather than rugged. You can stop at this stage if you are pleased with the balance of colors and exposed wood.
  8. If you wish to further distress the surface, lightly sand it using 60-grit sandpaper. Sand away more color from selected areas, and feather the edges of the different layers. Wipe the surface with tack cloths.
  9. With a clean foam brush, apply another coat of the shellac mixture and let it dry.
  10. Lightly sand the surface with the 220-grit sandpaper to dull the sheen. Do not sand through the previous layers. Wipe the surface with the tack cloth.
  11. If you want to accent the surface with simulated fly specks, mix the accent glaze in a small container and spatter it on with the 1" chip brush; try to create random patterns rather than an allover haze.
  12. The final effect looks worn but not really dirty. Other colors of paint might look older, grubbier, or just different.
Tips:
  • Experiment with different grades of sandpaper to which you like best, or use several grades to accent the effect.
  • Try to sand more areas that would have been frequently touched or bumped, such as protruding corners or knobs or the area near the floor, and that will help the effect from showing wear from handling.