How to Create a Distressed Look by Using Paint

If you are looking to create an item that looks old or aged, you can achieve this look by using paint and a distressing technique. The process is not all that difficult and simply requires a minimum of tools, and some patience and time.

First gather your supplies.

Square or cylinder of wax. You can use a simply house candle if you choose and it works just fine.

Drop Cloth

Painters Tape

Paint Scraper

Latex paint (to work effectively you must use a latex water-based paint and no other kind)

Paint brush for desired size

Sandpaper

Varnish for protection of final product

Put your drop cloth in place to protect surfaces and floors from paint. Put your painters tape in place to protect areas where paint might accidentally brush against. Make sure that the surface you are painting is clean and dried thoroughly.

Apply a coat of wax by rubbing your block or cylinder (or candle) over the entire surface. Make sure you are not going against the grain. Apply a layer of paint and allow to dry thoroughly.

Take your paint scarper and scrape away the paint you have just applied. Brush aside any wax shavings and sand the item clean of remaining wax. You now have a distressed surface. If you are finished, varnish and allow to dry for protection. If you want to make a dual colored item, do as directed above and then repeat the process with a different color of paint. Then apply your varnish to protect.

Other great ideas for this type of painting is to create an area that exhibits team colors for a sports fan or school colors for an academic environment. By using the two colors and distressing them with the wax technique above you will have created a unique item in the colors of choice. These are great for conversation pieces and the final product looks fantastic.

If you are looking for a design that is a bit more subtle, such as the frame of a photograph or the outline of a window, you can simply paint the item you want to distress and allow to dry thoroughly. Then run your paint scraper across it to remove pieces of paint. Sand it down to make it look natural and then varnish for protection. You can use two colors if you wish, being sure to allow the first layer to dry completely (twenty-four to forty-eight hours before applying the next coat).

A third way to create an aged look is to use a crackle glaze. You simply apply one coat of paint (the color you want to show through the crackles in the finished product). Allow it thoroughly. Apply your crackle glaze according to directions included with the product an then paint the top coat (in a contrasting color from the first layer). You will immediately begin to see the crackle look coming to fruition. Use a color wheel to get a concept of which colors work best with one another when contrasting. This is a great look for furniture, walls, or decorative items such as window sill boxes.