How to Paint Cabinets to Give Them an Aged Look

Staining

• 1

  Choose a staining technique if you have light-colored cabinets. Staining is the simplest means of antiquing cabinets.

• 2

  Select a dark-colored stain and apply it to a section of the cabinet using a sponge or brush.

• 3

  Wipe away the stain using paper toweling or a clean rag.

• 4

  Continue this process of applying and wiping away stain section by section until all surfaces of the cabinets are antiqued.

• 5

  Use more stain on areas that would naturally show more wear, such as edges of doors and areas around the handles or knobs.

Distressing

• 6

  Paint cabinets with two distinct shades. Use a light-colored undercoat with a darker topcoat, or use a dark color underneath with a lighter topcoat. Distressing cabinets will reveal the undercoat color.

• 7

  Use a hammer or length of chain to gently strike the cabinet, creating small nicks and dents.

• 8

  Use medium-grit sandpaper to create distress marks on the cabinets.

• 9

  Continue sanding strategic areas to simulate an antique look. Give extra attention to areas that would normally show wear and tear, such as the edges of doors and drawer fronts.

• 10

  Apply stain to cabinets and wipe away, if desired. Distressed cabinets gain a particularly worn appearance when stained, as well.

Crackle Painting

• 11

  Select undercoat and topcoat paint colors for your crackled finish. Crackle-painting cabinets will involve applying water-based crackle glaze over a latex paint undercoat, followed by a latex paint topcoat.

• 12

  Paint the cabinets with the undercoat paint color you have chosen.

• 13

  Apply the crackle glaze with a bristle or foam brush.

• 14

  Follow the manufacturer's directions and allow the glaze to set.

• 15

  Apply the topcoat paint. When the topcoat is applied, the paint will "crackle" and the undercoat color will be revealed in the cracks.

Waxing

• 16

  Wipe natural or tinted beeswax onto all surfaces of stained cabinets using a clean rag.

• 17

  Allow the wax to dry completely.

• 18

  Apply a second coat of wax and allow it to dry.

• 19

  Paint over the wax, if desired. Painting will create a richer texture.

• 20

  Sand the cabinets. Removing some of the wax -- and paint, if you've painted -- with sandpaper gives cabinets a textured patina. Sand to reveal as much or as little wood as needed to achieve the look you want.