How to Distress Cabinet Doors

Naturally distressed cabinet doors are an interesting focal point of a kitchen due to the individuality of each piece. No two patterns of scratches and nicks are the same, giving the cabinets character. If you aren’t willing to search garage sales and flea markets for a set of age-distressed cabinet doors, you can reproduce the unique designs yourself. The effort to make your own distressed effect is worth owning a special piece that is suited to your personal tastes.

Paint
Paint brushes
Wax
Sandpaper
Paint primer
Water
Cleaning sponge
Gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Wash the cabinet doors with warm water, let dry, and put a layer of primer to the surface to ensure that the layers of paint will stick. Let the primer sit for two to four hours.
- 2
  Paint the cabinet doors with a color that you want show through the distressed areas of the design. You may need to brush on two or more layers of paint for the appearance of a solid-colored undercoat.
- 3
  Brush a thin layer of melted beeswax in patches and streaks over the painted areas of the cabinet. The door will be ready for its top coat of paint after the wax solidifies.
- 4
  Coat the entire piece, including over the wax, with a new layer of paint that is a distinctly different color than the hue you picked for the base layer.
- 5
  Score, scratch and chip at the painted wax layer so that portions of the undercoat are visible. Lightly sand portions of the top layers so that the under layers are exposed.

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