How to Distress a Wall Frieze

If you have a frieze carved or painted in your home and you want it to have a distressed look, take the time give it some wear before you put a seal over it. You can also add some wear to frieze that has not previously been sealed. After a frieze is sealed, avoid trying to remove the seal, as this can damage the frieze itself.

Drop cloth
100-grit sandpaper
Clean cloth or vacuum

Instructions

- 1
  Put down a drop cloth to protect your work area.
- 2
  Sand along the frieze’s raised portions using 100-grit sandpaper, if it is a frieze that uses bas relief. Every raised surface, especially at eye level and below, should have at least a small amount of wear.
- 3
  Sand highlights into the frieze. Look at spots that you want to make more visible or to stand out and lightly sand them using 100-grit sandpaper. Try not to go all the way through to the plaster, but if you do, do so only once or twice.
- 4
  Wipe away any dust that has accumulated with a clean cloth or vacuum the dust out of the frieze with a crevice attachment.
- 5
  Wet a clean cloth with water and use it to rub down the areas that you have sanded. This makes the distressing look less deliberate and it also gives your frieze a soft glow. Once the frieze dries, you can seal the frieze or simply leave it as is.

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