How to Distress a Red Table

Distressing is an inexpensive way to give furniture a weathered, washed out and shabby-chic look without having to empty your wallet at an antique or vintage store. If the base coat of your table is red, choose a contrasting top coat such as yellow or blue for a bold distressed finish or a complementary top coat such as orange, brown or another shade of red for a more subtle finish.

Table
Tarp
Damp cloth
Rag
Paste wax
Small bowl
3-inch paint brush
Flat or eggshell paint
100- to 220-grit sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Spread out a tarp in the middle of a well-ventilated room. Place the table in the center and wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris. Allow the table surface to dry completely.
- 2
  Put a manageable amount of paste wax into a small bowl. Scoop some of the wax onto a clean rag and wipe it over the entire surface of the table in a thin, even layer. Allow the wax to dry for an hour. The wax will allow you to sand through your top paint layer without reaching all the way to the raw wood.
- 3
  Apply an even layer of your top coat paint to the entire table, making sure to paint in the same direction as the red base coat. A thinner top coat will yield a more distressed finish. Allow the paint to dry for about eight hours.
- 4
  Sand the entire surface of the table, starting with a gentle, even pressure, to remove some of the top coat, allowing the red base coat to show through. Apply more pressure on the areas of the table that would usually show more wear, such as the legs and edges.
- 5
  Wipe off the dust from sanding with a damp cloth. Apply a thin coat of clear glaze to seal your distressed finish. Allow the table to dry for 24 hours before using.

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