How to Make White Rustic Furniture Look More Rustic
Bright white furniture can look too modern for your country-style decor. To avoid this problem, you can apply some finishing techniques to make bright white furniture look more rustic. If you have older children, they may want to get involved with the finishing process as well. It will give them the opportunity to pound the furniture to give it a rustic look. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Distressing furniture
When considering redecorating your home, consider using distressed finishes on your white rustic furniture. Distressed pieces have a worn look and make your furniture look antique. If you aren’t sure how to begin, here are some tips:
First, decide what look you want to achieve. If you want a worn look, try using chalk paint or milk paint. They’re inexpensive and come in a variety of sheens. When applying them, use a wet rag to remove any excess paint from the edges and around the hardware. Once you’ve done this, repeat the process until you’ve achieved the desired look. Once you’ve achieved the right look, you can add a touch of rust and distressing to make your white rustic furniture stand out.
Applying paint stripper
If you want to turn your wood furniture white, the first step is to remove any existing paint on the pieces. Before sanding, it is recommended that you use a chemical stripper. Chemical strippers contain methylene chloride and are dangerous to use if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you’re confident that the piece of wood is completely bare, you can start applying a new coat of paint.
If you don’t like chemicals, use a citrus-based paint stripper. It will have a pleasant smell and will not damage the wood. Use a chip brush to apply the stripper evenly over the painted surface. Do not use a foam brush, as it will disintegrate in the paint stripper. Once the paint stripper has been applied, wipe off the excess paint and use a cloth to wipe it clean.
Distressing with sandpaper
Sandpaper is a staple tool for antiquing furniture. It is an excellent medium for removing paint and other layers and revealing cool details. Sandpaper comes in many different grits to suit varying finishes. Start by using fine sandpaper and gradually increase the grit level as you work towards a more distressed finish. Make sure to sand lightly and move quickly to avoid damaging your piece.
Using a paint scraper will remove too much wood and leave deeper scratches. Steel wool is a better option for removing paint, but may scratch the furniture. Using a paint scraper will make the distressed finish look darker. The best method to follow is to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply the desired finish by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Then let the paint dry.
Sealing distressed furniture
A simple way to preserve your white-painted distressed wood furniture is by applying a clear varnish or polyurethane top coat. Apply a few thin coats for the best results. Thicker coats can chip the finish, but three coats will protect your distressed pieces from the elements. After the first coat has dried, sand the piece with 120-grit sandpaper. This will help the wood stain penetrate the surface. Use a scrap piece of wood for the distressed look.
If you want to apply a darker wood stain to your white furniture, you need to sand the surface thoroughly with a rag. After the stain is dry, you need to apply three coats of polyacrylic to give it the distressed look you’ve been striving for. This step will help your distressed furniture last longer and look like it was made of a different wood species. However, before applying a new coat of varnish, make sure to dust the furniture first.