Step-by-step Take the stress out of distressing Washington DC

The installment was provided by Dexter Adams, finishing specialist with Chemcraft International Inc.

1. Distressing
   • Soften edges with 180-grit sandpaper on palm sander.
   • Add wormholes and knife cuts for effect.
2. Base colors
   • Smudge yellow dye stain in select areas.
   • Smudge red dye stain in select areas.
   • Smudge brown dye stain in select areas.
   • Wash and blend over-all with clear dye stain base to achieve the washed effect.

   Note: This is not typical use of a dye stain. Dye stains are meant to be sprayed and not wiped. Wiping these dye stains is intended for obtaining this particular effect.

3. Sealer
   • Apply a wet coat (3 to 4 wet mils) of a sealer. In this system a vinyl sealer was used.
4. Sand the sealer
   with 320-grit stearated paper.
5. Glazing
   • Spray glaze wet over the entire door front/sides.
   • Remove glaze with rag accenting the distressing and leaving very slight accent on the edges.
   • Apply a small amount of glaze to a brush and remove most of it on a dry rag. Firmly and quickly brush the edges to further accent those areas. This is called dirty brush and should darken the edges.
6. Topcoat
   • Apply topcoat compatible with the sealer used.

   Note: Proper dry times depend on the glaze and coatings being used. Follow all manufacturers' recommended dry times, and be sure all components of the color system are compatible.

If a lot of glaze hang-up is necessary to achieve the desired look, be sure to dry properly and then use of a vinyl sealer over the glaze, before the topcoat, is recommended.

For more information, please visit Chemcraft International at www.chemcraft.com.