How to Antique Furniture with a Polyurethane Finish
- 1). Remove any old paint or stain and polyurethane from the wood with a gel-based paint stripper. Paint a thick layer of the paint stripper on the wood, and wait at least 60 seconds. Scrape the old finish off the wood with a putty knife. Depending on the number of paint layers, you may need to apply multiple coats of stripper.
- 2). Sand the wood finish with 180-grit sandpaper, sanding off any remaining stain or paint. Rub the wood with a tack cloth, wiping off any dust or paint flakes. Sand the piece a second time with 220-grit sandpaper, and clean the piece with a tack cloth.
- 3). Apply a dark wood stain to the furniture. Paint the stain onto the wood, and after a few minutes, rub the wood with an old rag. The rag will absorb the stain that the wood did not absorb. Stain the entire piece, and let it sit until the stain dries and the wood feels smooth and not tacky or sticky.
- 4). Distress and antique the piece by hitting the wood with heavy objects, including chains, rocks and keys. Scrape the putty knife across the wood, scraping off some of the new stain. Sand down areas to show distress, such as the area around a drawer handle. Use a tack cloth to wipe off any dust or debris.
- 5). Paint the wood with a thin layer of polyurethane. Let the clear coat dry overnight, and buff the wood with an old rag. Rub the rag over the wood in small circles. If you want a glossier finish, add a second coat of polyurethane and let dry again.