How to Distress-Paint a Chair

Sand the chair with fine-grit sandpaper. Sanding the chair should degloss the finish on the chair and prepare it for painting. Remove the dust from the sanded chair with a damp cloth.

Prime the chair with latex primer. Place the chair in a well ventilated area and set it on a drop cloth. Paint the primer on the chair with a paintbrush. Apply a thin coat of the primer and let it dry per manufacturer directions.

Apply the undercoat of paint to the chair with a paintbrush. Choose a paint color that contrasts with the main color of paint you will be using on the chair. This layer of paint will show through the distressed finish. Cover the entire chair with the paint. Let the paint dry for three hours.

Apply the top coat of paint to the chair with a paintbrush. The top-coat color should contrast with the undercoat paint. Let the paint dry for several days.

Distress the paint on the chair with sandpaper. Lightly sand the edges of the chair. Remove the paint down to the undercoat of paint with the sandpaper. Sand the chair in areas that would normally see a lot of wear and tear. Wipe the chair clean of sanding dust.