Adding A Distressed Finish To Your Cabinets

If you are looking for a way to give your kitchen a charming, country-style feel, adding a distressed finish to your cabinets is a great way to go.

Tools and Materials You'll Need:

• Power drill or screwdriver
• Thick chain (optional)
• Sandpaper, medium grade
• Lint-free cloth
• 2 inch flat brush
• Water-based glaze
• Water-based polyurethane

Step 1 - Prepare the Doors

Clean cabinets thoroughly. Remove hardware on all the doors, then remove the doors from the cabinet frame. If you would like a heavily distressed finish, beat the wood with a thick chain to create indentations. Sand the entire door with a medium, 60 CAMI, sandpaper. Wipe off excess dust.

Step 2 - Apply Paint

Apply an even coat of primer, then allow to dry. Brush on a coat of paint, typically in a cream or white shade. If necessary, apply a second coat until the cabinets are completely covered. Let dry thoroughly.

Step 3 - Distress the Doors

Sand the edges and corners until the primer or wood shows through (depending on how much you sand off). Wipe off the dust before brushing on a dark, water-based glaze in long, even strokes. Before the glaze dries, use a rag to remove as much as desired, following the same up-and-down direction the glaze was applied.

Allow the glaze to dry thoroughly before applying a water-based, satin-finish polyurethane to protect the cabinets from damage. When the polyurethane has completely dried, reinstall the doors before adding the hardware.