I have recently purchased and antique walnut desk for my wife’s studio with the intention of painting it white and ‘distressing’ it. I have never done this before and I don’t want to ruin a very nice piece.
I have read a few articles on line and all differ. I’m thinkig of going this route. Sanding lightly to allow a primer to adhere (I’m assuming it is an oil based finish) but leaving the dark stained finish. A couple of coats of primer….a couple of coats of white paint (oil or latex?) and then some sanding in the areas of ‘high’ wear to give the distressed look. Sounds simple enough.
I’d love to hear from some seasoned finishers that can steer me in the right direction.
Thanks to everyone for past help and advice. It’s always appreciated.
Two Tone
Replies
Define what you mean by an "antique" desk? Is it really made of walnut wood? Solid, and not veneer? What style is it?
If it is really walnut, it would need some protection before painting, so that it can be stripped and refinished to be walnut without having to sand out all the character to geet rid of the primer/paint.
You can paint over the old finish -
since you are looking for the distressed look - there are no hard rules to get to where you want to go.
Paint first - then glaze with a dark color - selectively wipe away color - add some fly specks -
seal everything with a clear coat - the more random the better -
SA
Just try not to over do it, many times people get carried away with the distressing process. I usually use several coats of different colors of paint. I always use a wash over the last coat and sometines after the distressing as well. A dark wax is often helpfull as the final coat.
My advice if you have a genuine walnut antique piece is, do not do what you propose. It would be a shame to try to cover up old walnut and try to put a fake grain on it. Let me tell my story . My house was built in 1860 and the front staircase is solid walnut. Someone years ago had painted it with a white base and used colored varnish to make it look like oak. When I found that it was walnut, I took it all apart, numbered the pieces and took it to a strip shop. When I got it back, there were still flecks of white deep in the grain so I hand planed all treads and risers,(they were hand planed in the beginning). I put the spindles back on a lathe , sanded and picked out all the white. I then reassembled the parts and applied 2 coats of semigloss polyurethane and now have a beautiful staircase in its natural state. You can never create an artificial grain pattern as beautiful as that created by nature. Don't ruin your antique. If you must do the antiqueing bit, buy a piece made from poplar or pine. I have no idea how many hours I spent reworking my staircase.
"Antiques Roadshow"
"Antiques Roadshow" appraiser: "That desk once occupied an anteroom in Monticello. In original condition, it would be worth about $450,000."
Desk owner: "And what about now, painted white?"
Appraiser: "About $25."
;-)
With due respect to all the answers; the desk could be a "faux" antique. I can't tell you how many times I've gone into "antique shops" and wondered if there was another floor or room as all I could see was basic used furniture. I'm sure I could take my double bank walnut veneered library desk I have in my shop and call it an antique. I padded the top numerous times with shellac that I would tint as I went along."Step right up I have an antique walnut desk with it's original finish..."
A couple of books I often recommend
Professional Painted Finishes: Ina Brousseau Marx
The Art of the Painted Finish for Furniture and Decoration: Isabel O'Neil
Some basic tricks for distressing a painted finish
After a ground coat apply a little wax to selected areas then repaint. The areas that are waxed can easily be scrapped off. Just don't make it too contrived looking.
After you've painted another technique is to put a little paint stripper on selected areas (very thinly) and after about ten minutes slap it with a rolled up rag. Be sure to take safety precautions when doing this.
Heat when used with restraint is a wonderful thing.
Glazing is a wonderful thing.
Along with the suggestions you've already received, you have just enough knowledge to get yourself in trouble. But what the hell, ya gotta start somewhere.
Thanks to everyone for your input. I think I can do this!
"... all I can see is basic
"... all I can see is basic used furniture..." LOL! Love it.
http://www.furniturerestore.net/images/antiques_roadshow.pdf
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