How to Distress My Rocking Chairs With Paint

Paint a coat of latex primer on unfinished wood, or oil-based primer if you will be painting over used furniture. If you distress used furniture, be sure to remove any dust and grit before you attempt to paint it.

Paint on one coat of flat latex paint. Chose white or a lighter shade than the final color of the rocking chair. The color depends on the look you wish to achieve. Use a paintbrush, and paint in the direction of the wood grain. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.

Rub a thin, even coat of paste wax over the painted chair in the areas you will distress. Use an old rag to do this. Allow the wax to dry for one hour. Do not buff it.

Apply a coat of the main color of the rocking chair over the entire piece. Apply it with a paintbrush, following the grain of the wood. Usually this will be a darker shade than the first paint applied, and in a satin or flat finish, depending on the look you want. Let the paint dry overnight. If the color is not as deep as you wish, add a second coat, then allow it to dry overnight again.

Very lightly sand the seat, especially the front edge, as well as the rungs, arms and headrest, using fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool. These are all areas that would be well-worn on a rocking chair. You can sand other areas as well. Sand off only the outer color, allowing the lighter color of the first coat of paint to show.

Apply a protective sealant, using a paintbrush, over the entire rocking chair to protect the finish.