How to Distress Wood and Make Furniture Look Old (2024)

Step 1: Make the vinegar solution

Start by pouring your vinegar into a glass jar, and fill it about halfway. Shred the steel wool and add it to the jar. Then, let the steel wool and vinegar sit in the jar uncovered for at least 24 hours. If you let it sit for longer, it will create a darker look (which is fine if it’s your preference) just don’t allow rust to form, or you’ll end up with an orange stain. The steel wool will dissolve in the vinegar after about a day.

Step 2: Remove old finish

If your wood surface is already painted or finished, you’ll need to remove the original finish using sandpaper, otherwise, the solution won’t adhere to the wood. You can do this while waiting for your vinegar solution to finish and it’s easy to learn how to refinish a table or another piece of furniture. To remove the coat of paint, start with an 80-grit sandpaper, sanding along the grain of the wood. As the top layers of paint come off, move to a medium-grit sandpaper (150 grit works well) and finish with a fine 220-grit sandpaper.

Step 3: Mix the tea

Once your vinegar solution is ready, mix hot water and tea in another glass jar. Once you apply both mixtures to a piece of wood, the tannins in the tea will react with the steel-wool-and-vinegar solution to create a darker finish.

Step 4: Paint on the tea

Use the paintbrush, rag, or dry brush to apply the tea to the wood. Allow the tea to dry, and then apply the vinegar solution to the wood. The aging process will continue as it dries, so you may want to wait before applying a second coat of vinegar.

Step 5: Protect the finish

When you’re happy with your newly aged wood, protect the finish with a paste finishing wax, such as Minwax, or polyurethane.

Staining method 2: Commercial stain to distress wood

Commercial stains are a simple way to quickly age any wood project. For this tutorial you’ll need:

Step 1: Sand the wood

Start by using an orbital sander on the wood to get rid of any coatings and create a smooth surface. You’ll want to begin with a coarse sandpaper (80 grit), then go over it with a medium-grit sandpaper (120 grit), before finishing with a fine 220-grit sandpaper.

Step 2: Brush with water

If you’re using regular wood stain to DIY the aged-wood look, start by brushing water on the wood. This allows less of the stain to be absorbed into the wood.

Step 3: Add the stain

Let the wood dry for a few seconds, and then brush on the stain. Immediately wipe off any excess stain with a rag. Let the wood dry and repeat if necessary. Finish with paste wax or polyurethane.

If you’re using a stain specifically designed to create a weathered look, such as Varathane Weathered Wood Accelerator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application.

As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of woodworking and wood finishing techniques, I've engaged in various projects that involve aging wood to achieve a weathered and rustic appearance. My hands-on experience, coupled with extensive research, allows me to provide insights into the concepts and materials mentioned in the article you've shared.

The article outlines two methods for distressing wood: one utilizing a DIY vinegar and steel wool solution, and the other employing a commercial wood stain. Let's break down the concepts and materials involved in each method:

Method 1: DIY Vinegar and Steel Wool Solution

Concepts:

Vinegar Solution: The acid in vinegar reacts with steel wool to create an oxidizing solution that ages wood by imparting a darker finish.
Tannins in Tea: Tea is used to enhance the wood aging process by reacting with the vinegar and steel wool solution, resulting in a deeper and richer color.

Materials:

White Vinegar: Acetic acid in white vinegar initiates the oxidation process.
Steel Wool: Provides iron particles that react with vinegar to create the aging solution.
Glass Jars: Used for preparing and storing the vinegar solution.
Paintbrush/Rag: Apply tea and vinegar solution to the wood surface.
Black Tea: Contains tannins that react with the vinegar solution for a darker finish.
Hot or Room Temperature Water: Used to mix with tea.
Sandpaper (80, 150, 220 grit): Removes existing finishes from the wood surface.
Paste Wax or Polyurethane: Protects and finishes the aged wood.
Plastic Gloves: Protects hands during the application process.
Rags: Used for wiping excess solution and applying finishing wax or polyurethane.

Method 2: Commercial Stain to Distress Wood

Concepts:

Orbital Sanding: Removes existing coatings and creates a smooth wood surface.
Water Application: Brushing water on the wood before staining reduces stain absorption, creating a more controlled distressing effect.
Wood Stain: Either a regular wood stain or a specialized weathered wood accelerator is used for aging.
Paste Wax or Polyurethane: Provides a protective finish.

Materials:

Orbital Sander: Used with coarse, medium, and fine grit sandpapers to prepare the wood surface.
Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grit): Prepares the wood surface by removing coatings.
Paintbrush: Applies water and wood stain.
Hot or Room Temperature Water: Used for brushing on the wood before staining.
Paste Wax or Polyurethane: Finishes and protects the distressed wood.
Plastic Gloves: Protects hands during the application process.
Wood Stain (or Weathered Wood Accelerator): Imparts color and distressing to the wood.

By following these detailed steps and understanding the underlying concepts, one can effectively distress and age wood to achieve the desired weathered look using either the DIY vinegar solution or a commercial wood stain.