How to Distress Tuscan Oak Cabinets

Tuscan oak, one of the darker forms of oak, is often used for cabinets and other furniture. It has a classic, antique look that you can augment with the refinishing process known as “distress” refinishing. Making furniture look older and more abused than it actually is, distressing furniture requires the creative use of refinishing glaze, an opaque stain that is applied and then partially wiped off. If you haven’t distressed furniture before, practice on some scrap wood before you start.

Sandpaper (fine)
Refinishing glaze
Paint brush
Wire brush
Polyurethane

Instructions

- 1
  Lighty sand the oak surfaces with your sandpaper, by hand, just enough to dull the existing surface. Wipe away the dust.
- 2
  Brush refinishing glaze over each wood surface with a paintbrush; apply a thick layer.
- 3
  Let the glaze sit for about five minutes, watching the surface for indications that it is starting to dry -- it will start to look less shiny.
- 4
  Run your wire brush over the glaze when it’s almost (but not quite) dry, scraping off as much of the glaze as will easily come off and leaving the rest in place.
- 5
  Scrape the brush across the surface in different directions to create a scuffed, battered look. Do this until the surface looks the way you want it to.
- 6
  Let the glaze dry overnight.
- 7
  Brush a thin coat of polyurethane over the whole surface. Let it set for six hours.
- 8
  Lightly sand the surface by hand to dull the shine.
- 9
  Add a second coat of polyurethane.

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