Rhonda's Tip #5 - Rhonda's Rules for Distressing Furniture

Follow 5 simple rules when distressing your furniture.

Rule #1: Don't wait too long to distress!

Paint, especially Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan, begins to "set-up" fairly quickly once the paint is dry to the touch. Don't wait days to distress your painted finishes, try to complete the distressing the same day you paint or at least within 24 hours of painting.

Rule #2: Pick your Dressing Tool!

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to tools for distressing. Use what works best for you and the look you are trying to achieve. 

Clockwise: dry/damp 3M Scotch-Brite Scour green pad, Sandpaper or wet/dry sanding block (no lower than 220 grit sand paper), for a wet distress - lightly moistened rag

Rule #3: No spotted Cow treatment!

For an overall or heavy distressed finish, distress your piece all over. Don't pick and choose certain spots on the surface to distress. Using your preferred distressing tool begin distressing the ENTIRE surface of your piece.  Applying more elbow grease and pressure to areas that would authentically "wear" or "age" of time, such as edge sand seats. If you want to add just a little distressing where pieces would naturally wear, only do areas like edges, corners, and raised details - spots that would get touched and bumped the most. That's it!

Rule #4: If you're sweating and aching, then you're working too hard!

Don't over work your piece. Stand back and look at a section before continuing to further distress. Let the paint naturally remove where it wants to come off...you and your tools are just helping it along.

Rule# 5: ALWAYS HAVE FUN!

Distressing should be easy and fun.

 

For more techniques on Distressing watch Part 2 of this Video of Annie Sloan's distressing method with sand paper. 

To see additional inspiration and visit our Pinterest Page!