French Polishing and Bespoke 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 .
Immediately after wiping the stain from the raw wood , I drag a semi-dry brush with paint over the surface. And when the paint is almost dry, I drag a little stain back through the entire project to make it look aged and wipe it off again with a paper towel. I do a lot of layering with both paint and stain.
Achieve the look by using your choice of stain or a tinted glaze over white painted furniture . Place a plastic tarp on a smooth work surface. Sand all the areas you wish to antique using a fine-grit sandpaper. Pour some of the stain or glaze into a disposable container while wearing rubber gloves.
Materials Needed old (or unfinished) piece of furniture. latex or acrylic paint in a color of your choice. water-based primer. oil-based stain (that will function as a glaze) oil-based polyurethane. orbital sander.
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.
If it’s varnished, use sandpaper or a good quality paint and varnish remover. Apply a coat of water-based acrylic primer – This simply gives your furniture a smoother finish, making it easier to work on. Because it’s a shabby chic project, you don’t need to be neat. Even if you’re rubbish at painting , you’ll be fine.
Use sandpaper to “distress” After all your hard work to achieve a smooth and even finish , it’s time to grab some fine sandpaper (220 grade) and start to “distress” the finish to add the appearance of age. Sand the newly painted area.
Here are 5 Ways To Paint Furniture Without Sanding : USE A MINERAL PAINT. Mineral paint is very similar to chalk style paints in that no prep or prime is required. USE MILK PAINT + BONDING AGENT. As I already mentioned, the antique desk in this post was not prep- sanded . USE A BONDING PRIMER. USE A LIQUID SANDER /DEGLOSSER.
Instructions Prepare the Furniture . First, remove all hardware and mask off any areas that you don’t want to paint, using painter’s tape. Sand the Existing Finish. Color the Bare Wood . Apply the Main Color. Apply a Second Coat. Sand and Buff. Add Finishing Touches.
The easiest way to age wood is with things you probably already have in your kitchen. Pour vinegar into the glass jar, filling it about halfway. Shred the steel wool and add it to the jar. Let the steel wool and vinegar sit in the jar uncovered for at least 24 hours.