How to Put a Vintage Finish on a Table

Applying a vintage finish to a table creates the appearance of a well-worn antique. The look is achieved by painting the piece and sanding in places that the furniture would wear naturally over time. For tables this is along the edges or around drawer pulls. The effect is not difficult to achieve with patience and the right paints and equipment. For color ideas, check out antique or vintage paint colors at your local paint or home improvement store.

120-grit sandpaper
Wire brush
Tack cloth
Wood stain
Foam paintbrush
Complementary paint colors (2)
Paintbrushes
Lint-free cloths
Clear polyurethane sealer

Instructions

- 1
  Use medium-grit sandpaper to sand the table with the grain. Re-sand the table with coarse-grit sandpaper or a wire brush for a more worn appearance. Work on random areas of the table top with the grain and along the table's edges. Stain will accumulate more heavily in the depressions to create a vintage look. Wipe the surface with a tack cloth to remove any sanding dust.
- 2
  Apply a coat of stain to all surfaces of the table with a paintbrush. Allow the stain to dry overnight.
- 3
  Paint a base color over the entire surface of the table. While the paint is still wet, apply a second color of paint.
- 4
  Wipe over the two coats of paint with a soft, lint-free cloth to blend in the colors. Wait overnight for the paint to dry thoroughly.
- 5
  Sand the table along the edges where it would wear naturally. Sand until the stained surface is revealed in several locations along the edge of the table to create a well-worn appearance.
- 6
  Apply a protective coating of clear polyurethane sealer with a foam paintbrush.

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