Do “Rub-through” Light Distress Finish on Furniture

Anne Zellner Pettijohn
by Anne Zellner Pettijohn
5 Materials
$60
10 Hours
Medium
We lightly distressed refinished two identical raw wood islands, one in black and one in creamy white.
More defined rub-through distressed look
Sand raw wood smooth first, using medium sandpaper, followed by fine sandpaper. Clean raw wood next of dust particles next with a tack cloth. Next, add Floetrol to the paint to eliminate brush lines. With Floetrol/enamel paint-and-primer in one, next paint a total of two coats (we use Purdy brand brushes), lightly sanding between coats with fine grit sandpaper. Next, follow by wiping the dust off with a tack cloth. Wait the appropriate drying time (follow label instructions) between coats.
The next step is to come back and sand off a few edges completely back, exposing the raw wood. (See photos). Wipe the sanded edges with a tack cloth, then apply the stain of your choice on these raw edges. We like Minwax brand.
Once again, wait for the stain to dry, lightly sand a last time, then use a tack cloth on the entire furniture piece one final time before applying the clear finish.
The black island has a gray stain rub-through, with an auto clear coat finish. This finish has high gloss and also very high durability.
The Creamy White Island is much more muted, with a very faint “butcher block” colored stain rub-through, and a satin polycrilic clear Finish
We used a project sprayer to apply both types of clear coats, but the clear coat may also be applied with a brush.





Very light rub-through Hubby is applying the stain on the raw wood exposed by rubbing through.
Project spraying clear finish.
...and a second clear finish spray Coat.
Leave doors open while drying. You can see a better idea of the distressing in this picture.
Finished island with countertop and hardware!
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