Distressing is one of several faux painting techniques used to create a worn and weathered finish. The distressed effect on wooden items endows them with an antique or ‘shabby chic’ look that is essential in a variety of d?cor schemes, from antique elegance to the informal rustic style. Distressing is an effective way to age doors on bedroom, kitchen and other cabinets to produced a textured and less bland appearance.

Distressing Techniques

There are several ways to achieve a distressed look on cabinet doors. Perhaps the simplest is to give a new-looking cabinet door a controlled bashing and scraping with hammer and chisel, but paint techniques are the favored way of simulating age.

The basic technique involves creating the illusion of wear and age-related texture using two layers of paint. For a more variegated effect, more than two colors can be used. Scraping and scarring the topcoat so the layer beneath shows through gives the impression of age. It is possible to achieve a similar effect by painting streaks with a fine brush, but this may require more artistic expertise. Applying a top coat and then, before it has dried, using the dragging or combing technique to remove areas of paint can also create a distressed look on wooden doors.

Usually, the base coat, which will be showing through, will be a lighter color. The darker topcoat gives the impression of patina, the deep glow that develops over decades or centuries on old wood. You can use shades of the same color (typically shades of brown) but different effects can be achieved with different combinations, such as gray undercoat and brown topcoat.

Distressing With Wax:

One of the most popular methods entails using wax to ensure that the base paint layer is exposed. Beeswax is especially suitable though candle and other waxes can be used. The wax is applied in streaks and/or patches and allowed to dry before the second coat is applied. When dry the door is then sanded down. Paint applied on top of the wax comes off easily, exposing the undercoat. Depending on how vigorously you sand, a textured effect with clean ‘wood’ showing through the painted surface will result.

Distressing With Crackle Glaze:

Crackle glaze is a special kind of paint that is meant to crack and peel as it dries, giving the effect of varnish peeling with age. The crackle glaze is painted on top of the base coat and the topcoat is painted on top of the crackle glaze. You need to use latex paint for this technique, since oil paints will not crackle properly.

Pickling:

This is a paint technique that involves applying paint to an unpainted wooden cabinet door and then fairly randomly wiping it off before it dries. This technique is an easy way to give the impression of years of use and wear and is good if you want to leave some wood grain exposed to view.

Distressing is a relatively uncomplicated way of adding texture and color to a uniform, flat surface, enhancing its visual interest.

By: Debra T Conrad

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Creating distressed cabinet looks in your own home? Visit ThatPainterLady.com for more ideas and discover useful tips for creating a distressed look on a kitchen island.