Do “Rub-through” Light Distress Finish on Furniture
by
Anne Zellner Pettijohn
(IC: homeowner)
5 Materials
$60
10 Hours
Medium
We lightly distressed refinished two identical raw wood islands, one in black and one in creamy white.
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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Published January 17th, 2018 11:21 PM
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