How to Distress a Barn's Red Wainscoting

Sandpaper

• Distressing a barn's red wainscoting can be accomplished with a simple square piece of sandpaper. The barn owner can slide the sandpaper lightly across the paneling for a muted distressed appearance. In contrast, heavy sanding can achieve a truly weathered look as the red paint becomes less vibrant. Sanding should stop before reaching the bare wood; any untreated wood exposed to the elements is prone to insect infestation and rotting.

Hammer

• Although it may seem harmful, light strikes against the red wainscoting with a hammer can produce an even more unique weathered appearance. Controlled strikes against the wood produces small dents. These small dents create an aged look from the weather, such as wind damage. It is good practice to refrain from breaking the wood completely so that the barn retains its structural integrity.

Drilling

• Creating small holes across the wainscoting's surface will produce the effect of woodworm. The drilled hole should not pierce through the wood, rather it should only give it a small indentation. Make sure that the exposed wood within the hole is painted with red paint to protect the wainscoting from deteriorating.

Wire Brush

• Scraping a wire brush against the wood creates depth to the weathered appearance. The barn owner can run the brush continually across the surface to create an elongated pattern. Alternatively, the wire brush can be scraped repeatedly in one specific area to create a damaged appearance from age.

Considerations

• Most distressing techniques encourage the applicator to follow the grain of the wood. Adhering to the grain produces a lifelike appearance, as opposed to crossing the grain unnaturally. The distressing technique should look as if it was produced by the weathering elements and not manufactured in a factory setting.