Distressed wood finishing: How to make new look old (part 2)

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This post is part two of the distressed wood finishing technique. Learn an easy to follow six step process to make newly created furniture look like it has been around for decades.

Step 3: Sealing the door

Apply a sanding sealer to the door. A vinyl or latex sealer can be used. Following the manufacture’s directions and allow ample drying time.

Step 4: Sanding

Sand the door smooth with 320 grit sand paper. Be careful not to sand through the sealer and sand off the stain.

Step 5: Glazing – Making the finish look old

Apply a spray on wet coat of glazing over the entire door, face and sides. Using a cotton rag remove the glaze from the door, before it begins to dry. Accent the distressed areas of the door. Leave a very slight accent on the edges of the door especially where the raised panel meets the rail and stiles.

Use the dirty brush technique to accent the edges even more. Apply a small amount of glaze to the door with a brush. Using a rag wipe off the most of the glaze. Using a brush firmly and quickly brush the edges to increase the accenting. The dirty brush technique will result in darken edges and corners.

Step 6: Topcoat

Apply a sealer over the glaze before applying the top coats of varnish.

Apply two to three coats of a varnish. Between each coat lightly sand the varnish to remove any raised grain, dirt and other contaminates from the finished door.

Make sure that the varnish is compatible with the sealer. The last thing you want is to have a chemical reaction that causes the glaze or varnish to fail.

This is my six step process for distressed wood finishing. Enjoy and go out and beat up some new furniture and make it look like it is fifty or more years old.

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