How do I paint and distress a wardrobe?

[kitsmummy]

I'm sure some clever mumnsnetters can help me with this: I want to buy some old wardrobes and paint and distress them. The nicest distressed effect I've seen is where furniture has also been waxed somehow as well, gives it that slight brown aged look (don't want a crackle effect btw).

Does anyone know how to do this?

Oh, and also, has anyone ever distressed a wood veneer piece of furniture - have seen walnut veneer wardrobe that is a lovely shape but as veneer is so glossy I'm not sure if trying to distress it would work? thanks

Hi,

I know you cant distress veneer as it is not proper wood.

The best way is to sand it down with a 180 grade sandpaper, then use a white wash (or whatever wash you want) on it. So basically a water based paint then mix with water. Brush over then repeat process again with a slightly higher grade paper. You can use allsorts of things to distress. Tea can be added also.

Depends what overall look you want.

You can actually distress wood veneer. I've done it lots of times, successfully. Firstly sand down the piece to provide a 'key' paint the wood veneer piece (all of it) with a red oxide coloured primer then an undercoat of sludgey coloured grey and then a couple of coats of whatever colour you want your peiece to be. Then with a ball of fine guauge wire wool rub the areas that would normally get distressed - where there is raised beading, on the handles near the corners etc. Rub gently to to reveal the under layers of paint and then after you have finished rub some clear Briwax (avaialable from good hardware stores) over the whole piece. And buff. It's really easy. Don't be shy about it and go slowly with the revealing underlayers bit as it's easier to reveal a bit more.

Good luck!

Could you try swearing loudly? That can be fairly distressing if done properly.

Awww, come on Idrank, that's just a little bit predictable now

Swedes - does the Briwax just protect the furniture, or does it add that old brown effect that I mentioned?

The Briwax just gives it a nice waxed finish rather than painted finish; makes it smell gorgeous as well. Dark brown boot polish on the distressed bits works well too, let it dry then Briwax over the top.

If varnished, use paint stripper. You could have a dark coating underneath, lighter colour on top and then use sandpaper to distress corners. When you are done, matt varnish on top. If the wood is not easy to paint on, use a primer before you paint. The last piece of furniture I did was made of crappy wood and the primer helped. This is the easy peasy way of doing it. I suggest you go to library and look at the books they have. Jocasta Innes had a book with a lot of interesting distressing effects, in many unusual colour. If you like the 'French Style', you could use light beige or brown underneath and cream on top with the odd distressed gilt touches in carved areas.

Sorry, not light beige, I meant grey

My mum has just painted her MDF wardrobes with cupboard paint and it looks nice.