Distressing
The art of making a piece of furniture look "old" "well loved" or "vintage". Take a hand held electric sander or sandpaper and rub the edges and top surface in places to let the wood show through in areas where normal wear and tear would have obviously occur. Dings, dents, scratches and damages give character to a piece that is distressed.
Antique-ing
A painted piece with a sheer stain of light brown color over the original paint giving the aged time worn look. Products used can be miniwax wipe on stain in pecan, or old english.
Glazing
A sheer wash of a lighter or darker color over the original color of paint on a furniture piece. Use 4 parts faux finishing glaze found in quarts at most paint and hardware stores, to one part of your desired paint color. Wipe on with a rag or rough bristled paint brush lightly for desired effect. The more coats you apply, the darker the effect. Start with less, and build up to more.
Bonding Primer
A professional construction quality primer that "bonds" to most varnished, painted surfaces allowing you to avoid most sanding and stripping before paining a piece. Allow to dry for one hour before paining.
Waxing
Two great products to use include Howards Feed N Wax or Min Wax Natural. Wipe on, allow to soak in, and then buff out. Feed and Wax is a thinner coat, Min dries to a harder sheen.
