Antiquing Furniture Using Gesso

Use a paintbrush to apply a sealer to the entire wood surface of the furniture. Allow the first coat to dry for the amount of time listed on the package, then apply a second coat. Allow the piece to dry for one to three days before moving on to the next step.

Cover the areas you do not want antiqued with painter's tape or masking tape. For instance, you may want to antique the wood while leaving the knobs, hinges and other hardware shiny.

Place the gesso in a bucket and dilute it with water until it is thin enough to spread easily. Do not use more than one quarter water to the gesso. If you use more water than that, the gesso will be prone to cracking.

Apply the first coat of gesso to the wood with a paintbrush. Paint the gesso on to the wood in the direction of the wood grain. Cover the entire wood surface of the furniture with the gesso. Allow the gesso to dry completely for at least an hour, or for the length of time specified on the package.

Paint a second coat of gesso on to the wood and allow it to dry thoroughly. Use a light sandpaper to sand down any rough surfaces.

Apply another coat of undiluted gesso. Use a foam paint roller to apply the gesso straight from the can. Roll the gesso on to the wood vertically to allow for better penetration into the wood. Wait for the gesso to dry, then sand down any rough spots and apply a second coat straight from the can. Apply the second coat horizontally.

Use a paintbrush to apply a coat of oil-based glaze to the furniture. Apply the glaze in sections, allowing it to dry between applications.

Soak a piece of cheesecloth in mineral spirits and wipe the glaze off before it dries into the wood. Rub the cheesecloth against the wood to give it a distressed look. Repeat the same process with the other sections of the wood until the entire piece of furniture has been antiqued in this manner.