How to Make a Bookcase Look Aged

Distressed Latex

• 1

  Don safety goggles and face mask and sand the bookcase with coarse sandpaper to remove old paint or varnish finishes. Go over the wood again with fine sandpaper.

• 2

  Apply colored latex paint to the bookcase, brushing it on lightly, leaving streaks with bare areas. Allow paint to dry.

• 3

  Apply white paint over the colored paint, leaving plenty of brush marks and streaks. Let it semi-dry, then use a cloth dipped in denatured alcohol to rub away some paint. Go over the entire bookcase this way, and allow it to dry.

• 4

  Apply gel stain with cloth, rubbing lightly in a circular motion. When dry, apply a thin coat of varnish.

Lime Wash

• 5

  Wearing safety goggles and face mask, sand the bookcase completely, first with coarse sandpaper, then with fine sandpaper.

• 6

  Paint the bookcase with one layer of colored latex paint and let it dry completely.

• 7

  Wearing rubber gloves and safety goggles, mix a cup of lime putty into a half-gallon of water and stir well.

• 8

  Apply lime on top of the paint on the bookcase with either a paintbrush or a cotton cloth, leaving plenty of brush strokes and streaks. If too much lime wash is applied, remove some with a clean dry cotton cloth.

Crackle Finish

• 9

  Sand the bookcase well with coarse, then fine, sandpaper while wearing safety goggles and face mask.

• 10

  Paint the bookcase with colored paint and let it dry.

• 11

  Apply the crackle finish with a paintbrush. Leave brush strokes and gaps in the application so the undercoat of paint is visible through the crackle, and allow it to dry.

• 12

  Apply the crackle sealer and allow it to dry.