How to Distress a Tabletop
Distressing a tabletop can make a new piece look worn and well-used. Distressed pieces of furniture have dents, worn areas, holes and other defects. You can distress your tabletop by hand using a variety of techniques. Choose the finish you want the table to have -- a stained wood finish or a painted finish. Once completed, your table will look like it has been passed down and well-loved through generations. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drop cloth
- Sander
- Rag
- Mineral spirits
- Paint or stain
- Paint tray
- Paint roller
- Crackle finish
- Sandpaper
- Chain
- Nails
- Hammer
- Paste wax
- Polyurethane spray sealant
Instructions
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1
Place your table outside on a drop cloth or in a well-ventilated room.
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Sand the table smooth to remove any existing finish.
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3
Clean the table with a rag dampened with mineral spirits.
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Apply the first coat of paint or stain to the table. Allow the first coat to dry completely. If you want a crackle finish to the final coat of paint, cover the tabletop with crackle finish glaze with a paintbrush. Follow the manufacturer's directions as to how long to let the finish dry before applying the top coat.
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Paint the table with a final coat of paint or stain. Allow the finish to dry completely. If you are using a crackle finish, make the top coat a different color from the base coat. The base coat will show through the cracks in the top coat.
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Use sandpaper to sand spots on the edge and top of the table to expose the wood or base paint color underneath. Sand in the areas that get the most use to make the wear appear natural.
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Beat the table with a chain to create dents. Use a hammer and nails to mimic worm holes in the wood. Remove the nails.
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Apply paste wax with a rag to the worn areas to make them appear dark.
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9
Use polyurethane spray sealant to protect the finish of the table.
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Tips & Warnings
Use care when using hammer and nails and the chain technique.
