There are many different ways to create a shabby-chic look on your painted furniture, and everyone has their own preferences. To begin with, we will examine in detail the three most popular methods.
The 3 most popular techniques to emphasize your beautiful piece of furniture are:
- wet-angsty
- dry-distressing
- The "resist" technique
You will likely find that one of these distressing techniques will become your technique of choice for most of your projects. Keep in mind that you will probably get different results each time, and the look you create might be very different from the examples. That's what makes it fun and interesting as you can really create a unique look!
Keep this in mind before starting your project:
1) The best temperature to apply paint is room temperature. This is also the best condition to let the paint dry. If it's too cold or humid, it will take longer for the paint to dry, so keep that in mind.
2) Try the techniques below on "sample boards" so you can familiarize yourself with them before using them on a piece of furniture.
Click hereto read how to properly prepare your piece before you start painting.
Wet use technique
This is a popular technique for when you're layering color, because you can use it to create a "natural" looking weathered effect without making a mess.
attendit's videoSee Rosanne Wet Heartbreaking Reveallazy flaxbelowvintage cupcake.
To find out how to use multiple colors for a really chic look, check outit's tutorial!
Step 1) The first layer
Apply a coat of paint to your piece; let dry completely. We recommend allowing the first coat to dry for at least 24 hours when using the wet-use technique. Make sure your first coat of paint is well cured so it won't come off when you use it.
Step 2) The second layer
Apply a second coat in a different/contrasting color. Wait around 1-2 hours until the ink is dry to the touch.
Keep in mind that although the paint appears dry, it is still fresh and has not yet reached its full "hardness." That is what you are taking advantage of when you are using the wet technique.
Stage 3) Distressing
After the final paint is dry, grab a bucket of water and a lint-free cloth or mop (kitchen mop). Make sure your cloth is wet enough, but not so wet that it drips. Use the damp cloth to gently rub the surface in a back and forth motion.
Be sure to apply only a little pressure at first, because you don't want to remove more paint than you intend to. You can always apply more pressure if you want. You can choose to sand only the edges of your piece or the flat surfaces as well. Play and have fun!
And if you leave too distressed? No problem! You can always choose to cover with another coat of paint (the same color as the second coat) and start the painting process over.
Other tools and tips
The longer you wait, the longer the paint will dry and the more difficult it will be to remove. Therefore, it is better not to wait too long before using your part. Give it a try in 15-20 minutes and see how you feel! If too much comes off, let it dry longer. If you've waited too long and the paint has dried too dry, try using a slightly abrasive kitchen pad instead of a damp cloth.
dry anguish technique
This is a great technique to use when you're using a single color on a piece of furniture and want to expose the original wood layer underneath.
Step 1) First layer
Apply a coat of paint to your piece; let dry completely. If you're painting a piece made of raw or primed wood or MDF, it'll probably be ready for the second coat in an hour.
If you are painting a previously painted surface, it is best to give the paint a good chance to cure. For laminated wood, we recommend sanding lightly before the first coat of paint and curing for at least 24 hours before applying the second coat.
Step 2) Second layer
If necessary, apply a second coat of the same color to achieve desired coverage. Wait around 1-2 hours until the ink is dry to the touch.
Stage 3) Distressing
After the last coat of paint has dried, you can start applying it with fine-grit sandpaper. You can start with 180-grit sandpaper to see if you like the look, but feel free to experiment with other grits.The higher the number, the finer the sandpaper.You simply don't want to use sandpaper that is too coarse, as it will not look natural and will leave visible marks on the unworn parts of your piece.
Tip: Instead of regular sandpaper, we suggest sanding pads or sanding blocks. They will be much easier to work with than regular sandpaper. They will also be less likely to leave visible marks on your surface.
Be sure to apply only a little pressure at first, because you don't want to remove more paint than you intend to. You can always apply more pressure if you want.
Other tools and tips
Instead of using sandpaper, you can also play around with a hand sander and even a paint scraper.
Use a damp cloth to wipe off excess dust regularly so you can see how much ink you've actually removed.
The "resist" technique
Use the "resist" method to create a chipped paint look. It is very easy to do if you follow these steps:
Step 1) First layer
Apply a coat of paint to your piece (in this case we chooseBlessing) and let it dry completely. If you're painting a piece made of raw or primed wood or MDF, it'll probably be ready for the second coat in an hour.
If you are painting a previously painted surface, it is best to give the paint a good chance to cure. For laminated wood, we recommend light sanding or even priming before the first coat of paint and curing for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.
Step 2) Apply the “resistant” medium
What you are going to do now is apply a “resist” medium in the places where you want the second coat of paint to come off. Our medium of choice is ourbeeswax relief bar. You can also try ourclear wax, vaseline or candle wax.
rub thebeeswax relief barin some sections of your work. The wax will hold up to the second coat of paint in these places, and the paint will come off as you wear it down. Typically, you will want to apply thebeeswax relief barFor areas of your piece that would naturally see more wear, such as edges, corners, and any high details.
Step 3) Second layer
After applying thebeeswax relief baryou can immediately apply a second coat of paint in a different color. Wait around 1-2 hours until the ink is dry to the touch.
Stage 4) Distressing
After the last coat of paint is dry, you can start applying it with a damp cloth or fine-grit sandpaper. Try using a combination of these methods and use a damp cloth and sanding pad to create the desired look. (See more on these techniques in the wet and dry use sections above.)
You'll find that the second coat of paint will easily peel off in the areas where the wax was applied to reveal the first coat of paint, giving it a worn, classy look.
Other great tutorials worth reading:
- How to paint kitchen cabinets in 4 easy steps
- Surface preparation tips for painting furniture
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