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How to Age and Distress Wooden Decor

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age and distress wooden decor

How to Age and Distress Wooden Decor

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Step 1 of 22

Prepare your wooden object. Clean it if it is dirty, sand it if it is too polished, or feel free to prime.

Step 2 of 22
Paint a thin base coat on your wooden object. I wanted mine to look rotten/mossy underneath. You want to choose a color that contrasts your top coat. Let dry.

Paint a thin base coat on your wooden object. I wanted mine to look rotten/mossy underneath. You want to choose a color that contrasts your top coat. Let dry.

Step 3 of 22
Paint on your crackle medium. This stuff looks like spit but dries quickly and shiny. Let sit in dry area for at least 2 hours.

Paint on your crackle medium. This stuff looks like spit but dries quickly and shiny. Let sit in dry area for at least 2 hours.

Step 4 of 22
Paint on top coat. I noticed the areas with thinner paint seemed to crackle better.

Paint on top coat. I noticed the areas with thinner paint seemed to crackle better.

Step 5 of 22
Let dry.

Let dry.

Step 6 of 22
It will begin to crackle as it dries. Cool, huh?

It will begin to crackle as it dries. Cool, huh?

Step 7 of 22
Wear a mask. Sand down edges and corners that would naturally wear. This takes some patience, not brute force. If you push hard you will sand through your base coat, which may look nice in some spots.

Wear a mask. Sand down edges and corners that would naturally wear. This takes some patience, not brute force. If you push hard you will sand through your base coat, which may look nice in some spots.

Step 8 of 22
Sand thicker areas.

Sand thicker areas.

Step 9 of 22
Where my wood showed through, I used a wood stain pen of darker color to age my wood. (see next)

Where my wood showed through, I used a wood stain pen of darker color to age my wood. (see next)

Step 10 of 22
Then taking the paint dust on my hands

Then taking the paint dust on my hands

Step 11 of 22
I quickly smudged the wood stain with paint dust so it blended well.

I quickly smudged the wood stain with paint dust so it blended well.

Step 12 of 22
Another example....

Another example....

Step 13 of 22
After

After

Step 14 of 22
Sand corners then dust out paint bits.

Sand corners then dust out paint bits.

Step 15 of 22
Use stain in corners and blend with sponge.

Use stain in corners and blend with sponge.

Step 16 of 22
Wipe down really well after sanding

Wipe down really well after sanding

Step 17 of 22
Brush dust out of corners

Brush dust out of corners

Step 18 of 22

Add oil finish of your choice. I recommend oil finish because it will naturally yellow over time adding to the aged look of your piece.

Step 19 of 22
Finished.

Finished.

Step 20 of 22
Details.

Details.

Step 21 of 22
More details

More details

Step 22 of 22
Hanging

Hanging

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!
Winston-Salem
PA student trying to graduate. I like good music and photography.

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Start Over

233
12 Comments
Supplies
Embed

Wooden decor (preferable used)

Base color paint

Fine sander (150)

Top coat paint

Crackle medium (optional)

Oil based sealer

Paint brushes/sponges

Melissa Brown

Thanks guys! I'll be posting a new project soon!

(author) 3 months ago

Vickie Oates

Great instructions, can't wait to try this! Your piece is gorgeous!

Vickie Oates 5 months ago

Mike Turvey

Excellent guide and excellent results. Thanks!

Mike Turvey 8 months ago

Sammi<3 Bluu

its sooo pretty ahah :)

Sammi<3 Bluu 10 months ago

Melissa Brown

An acrylic sealer would add an extra level of protection and an oil based sealer would have a similar effect. However if the piece is going out doors I would recommend water-based.

(author) 10 months ago

Mandy Lockhart

Would an acrylic sealer do the same as the oil finish? I'm refinishing my first antique chair this week & I am trying to do the crackle effect.

Mandy Lockhart 10 months ago

Melissa Brown

I use acrylic because my crackle medium was for acrylic. They also make them for regular paint if you prefer.

(author) 10 months ago

Tabasom Sam

What paint did you use? U mean acrylic or sonething special??

Tabasom Sam 10 months ago

Melissa Brown

Thanks! :)

(author) 11 months ago

Katy Bath

I love that, it's very nice

Katy Bath 11 months ago

Sharon Chan

Beautiful!

Sharon Chan 11 months ago

Kacey Thimmes

That's reallly pretty!:)

Kacey Thimmes 11 months ago

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Maya Govrin

Very nice

Maya Govrin 3 months ago

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Vanessa Feghali

Just Beautiful!

Vanessa Feghali 11 months ago

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