Hey guys!  I will keep this post short and sweet because that is just what it is. Whoop! 🙂

I learned this idea from my super talented father-in-law awhile back and I just now tried it out.  I love it.

My first step was to put on my base coat.  I wanted the distressed part to look brown so I spray painted it with Rust-Oleum London Gray Spray paint.  You can also use latex or acrylic but I think spray paint is the fastest and easiest.

Once that was dry I was ready for step 2.

I used a candle and rubbed all the edges and corners leaving a layer of wax on the board.  I also added some random wax spots on the front of the board.

After I was finished with that, I added my top coat.  I used latex paint for my top coat.  You can also use acrylic paint for this part but I’m not sure spray paint would work well.

Here is my first coat.

I gave it a second coat and let it dry really good.

The next part is the fun part.  Just use a fine grit sanding block (like 220) to sand down your entire board.  Where the wax was applied under your top coat, the paint will just peel away and expose your base coat.  Just keep sanding it until you are happy with the results.

How easy is that?? I love it.

Hope you guys like it!  It’s simple and gives great shanty results! 🙂

For those of you that missed it, I used this paint method on my key hook HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!  Now get to painting!

~Whitney

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34 Comments

  1. LOVE THIS! I’ve got a table in my study that I use as a desk that I’ve wanted to re-do and distress. Do you put a finish clear coat over it? I don’t want paint chips getting into my computer mouse or all over the place. Just wondering!
    🙂

  2. WOW- that is amazing. Thanks for including the paint color too, super helpful 🙂 Definitely going to give a try. I love the key holder too 🙂

    sunshinequeen.wordpress.com

  3. I have heard of using the candle technique before and it really works. The destressing on your wall piece turned out great.

    hugs
    Sissie

  4. You can also use a heat gun to achieve a distressed worn look. Go over areas you wish to distress with your heat gun until the paint begins to bubble slightly. Afterward, sand the area and the paint will come off in a random pattern giving you a look of time worn wood……….you can try a small area at a time and add more until you achieve the desired effect 🙂