How To Distress Furniture With Spray Paint And Vaseline

Getting a new piece of furniture can be exciting, but what if you're looking to achieve a rustic, vintage or shabby chic look? Distressing your furniture can add character and charm to your home décor. While there are many methods to distress furniture, one technique that has gained popularity is using spray paint and Vaseline. Yes, you read that right! In this blog post, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of distressing furniture with spray paint and Vaseline.

Before we dive into the details, let's gather the materials you'll need:

1. Furniture piece: Look for a wooden piece with a smooth finish. It could be an old table, chair, dresser, or any other piece you want to distress.
2. Spray paint: Choose two contrasting colors of spray paint. One will be the base color, while the other will show through as you distress the furniture.
3. Vaseline: This common household item will act as a resist to the spray paint, allowing you to achieve the distressed look.
4. Sandpaper: Use both rough and fine-grit sandpaper to distress the furniture.
5. Soft cloth: Opt for an old cloth you don't mind getting paint on.
6. Paintbrush: Have a small brush handy for touch-ups.
7. Drop cloth or newspapers: Lay these down to protect your work area.

Now that you have all the necessary items, you're ready to start the process:

1. Prep your furniture: Begin by thoroughly cleaning and drying your piece of furniture. Remove any hardware or accessories that could get in the way. This way, you'll have a smooth surface to work on.

2. Apply the base color: Choose one of the spray paints as your base color and spray the entire piece evenly. Allow it to dry completely as per the paint manufacturer's instructions. If necessary, apply a second coat for complete coverage.

3. Prepare the distressing areas: Once the base coat is dry, apply Vaseline to the areas where you want the underlying color to show through. These tend to be the edges, corners, and areas that would naturally experience wear over time. Using your fingers or a cloth, spread a thin layer of Vaseline onto these areas. Remember, less is more.

4. Apply the top coat: Now, it's time to spray on the second color paint, which will act as the top coat. Cover the entire piece evenly, including the areas coated with Vaseline. Allow it to dry as per the paint manufacturer's instructions.

5. Distress the furniture: Once the top coat is dry, use rough-grit sandpaper to gently rub the areas where you applied the Vaseline. Start with light pressure and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired distressed effect. Focus on the edges, corners, and any other spots that would naturally accumulate wear and tear.

6. Smooth it out: After distressing, use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the rough edges and create a more cohesive look. This step helps in blending the distressed areas with the rest of the furniture.

7. Wipe clean: Using a soft cloth, wipe away any excess Vaseline or paint residue from the furniture. This will give your piece a clean and finished appearance.

8. Touch-ups: In case you accidentally removed more paint than intended, use a small paintbrush to touch up those areas. Remember, distressed furniture is meant to look imperfect, so don't stress too much about perfection.

Voila! You've successfully distressed your furniture using spray paint and Vaseline. Step back and admire the vintage, rustic look you've achieved.

Distressing furniture with spray paint and Vaseline is a fun and creative way to rejuvenate older pieces or add character to new ones. The key is to experiment and find the level of distressing that fits your personal style and preferences. So, unleash your creativity, and transform your furniture into unique statement pieces that tell a story in any room of your home.