How to antique furniture?

Tracey
by Tracey

Can you rough up (make textured surface) then antique this type of tabletop?

Not sure, corkboard?

Inside material?

  15 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Jun 16, 2020

    Hi Tracey, that is thin veneer so yes you can absolutely sand it as long as you plan on painting it then it should look great! That type of veneer is not stainable but as long as you plan on painting it'll take paint well.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Jun 16, 2020

    you may want to be careful - a roughed up textured table top will be really hard to keep clean.

  • Gk Gk on Jun 16, 2020

    Are you looking to make a more farmhouse style finish on this table top? You could add wood planks to the top and then paint and distress. Check out this link!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD6R8Gch_X4

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 16, 2020

    Hello. I often distress -texturize wood by using a sander on edges sometimes you can even beat up wood with chains or something hard to give it more of a random rustic weathered appeal. Then using a patina layered finish of washers or speckling can make it even look more aged look.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Jun 16, 2020

    Tracey: Here's my coffee table project. Easy-peasy.


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/1960s-coffee-table-into-2020-44255352

  • Chalk paint would work well for a distressed finish.

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Jun 16, 2020

    Hi Tracey, you should have no problem painting this type of table top. Because of the type of wood that it is and the age, it has probably been cleaned with a spray cleaner for years so I would suggest using an eco-friendly tsp to make sure everything (that you can't see) has been removed before painting. Choose a great paint and you should have no problems painting it then. Best of luck with your project!

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 16, 2020

    Hi Tracey,

    Whatever you do, be careful roughing up this table unless you know for sure that it's not veneered. If it's veneer roughing it up with things like chains could crack the veneer, which would make your entire project harder. What kind of roughness is in your mind? Do you want it to have bumps, divots, lines or just a general roughness? Each type would be done differently. For bumps you could add sand to paint, for divots and lines need to be "dug" or "pounded" into the surface but carefully so that you don't crack the veneer. A general roughness could be achieved with 220 sandpaper, used gently to make sure you don't sand through the veneer.


    I do agree with what Vimarhonor wrote. If the surface is roughed up, it will be very hard to keep it clean. Dirt and dust will settle on every low spot and will be difficult to remove. At first it will seem okay, but over time, it will build up. I hope something here will help you. Wishing you the best.

  • William William on Jun 16, 2020

    Here are a few ways

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/furniture/antique-side-table-in-warm-white-shackteau-milk-paint-44248109


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/dry-brushing-44235712


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/super-easy-gray-barnwood-effect-44267927

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jun 18, 2020

    Hi! Instead of adding texture to the tabletop itself, I would go for a smooth finish, adding depth with layers of paint to give it more of the look you want. I rarely distress furniture, because I like a different look, but, when I do, I distress the edges of normal wear areas to reveal the next layer of color. One method I use for the paint is dry brushing. You layer another shade or color by just getting the paint on the tips of the brush and painting it lightly over the previous color. An old worn brush or a chip brush is what I use. Use a light hand and run the length of the piece as if you are following the grain of the wood. Good luck and stay safe!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 18, 2020

    Hi there,

    Leave it outside for a season, it will soon loose its shiny new look once it gets wet a few times and dries out, or put it ion somewhere damp..........best wishes

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jun 20, 2020

    Yes I would sand it down then take a hammer to it use the hammer on a angle and put small dents in it then eather varnish or paint if you paint it after it’s dry sand the adages to look like it’s worn off then varnish so you could wash it do a couple of coats

  • Sally Lang Stoddard Sally Lang Stoddard on Jun 22, 2020

    My sis spray painted hers and you’d never know. She is the Spray Paint Queen!

  • Joy Elizabeth Joy Elizabeth on Jun 22, 2020

    If you rough it up, be gentle as it looks like veneer. If you are looking to stain over it, you could use gel stain. You could even chalk paint over that and lightly sand to create that painted distressed look.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jun 30, 2020

    Check all those pins https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=how%20to%20antique%20paint%20furniture&eq=how%20to%20antique&etslf=11259&term_meta[]=how%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=to%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=antique%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=paint%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=furniture%7Cautocomplete%7C0