Vaseline Distressed Furniture
Today we look at Vaseline distressed furniture and how the process works. This is a step by step tutorial with photos.
Step 1. Paint furniture desired color using paint of choice.
Step 2. When paint is dry wipe Vaseline over painted surface.
Step 3. Brush on second coat of paint in a contrasting color to first layer.
Step 4. Let dry then immediately wipe off top layer of paint with a r
Each step in the technique for Vaseline distressed furniture is explained in depth below.
Vaseline Distressed Furniture
If you guys stopped by yesterday and read my Cherry Red and Turquoise Painted Cedar Chest post then you’ve already seen the before and after pictures. Now here’s the in-between happenings.
before
I paid $15.00 for the cedar chest with broken top.
I wanted the bottom coat of paint to be turquoise, but I didn’t like the paint I had on hand so I did some mixing. The butter dish on the bottom right is some paint I mixed for an earlier project. The Behr sample on the left I picked up for $.50. The Behr was a little green and my pre-mixed was a little blue so I mixed them to make the top color.
one coat of turquoise paint
Vaseline……the secret ingredient
From Wikipedia…The first known reference to the name Vaseline was by the inventor of petroleum jelly, Robert Chesebrough in his U.S. patent for the process of making petroleum jelly (U.S. Patent 127,568) in 1872. “I, Robert Chesebrough, have invented a new and useful product from petroleum which I have named Vaseline…”
The technique of using petroleum jelly as a paint resist has been around for a while but I haven’t tried it until now. I’ve read several posts about it and have seen some beautiful results.
this is what I did….
I rubbed a little Vaseline on the cedar chest in strategic areas after the coat of turquoise paint was dry. I wore gloves so my hands wouldn’t be icky, and I didn’t put the Vaseline on thick, just little swipes here and there.
Some oops paint from Wal-Mart for the top coat. This paint has been sitting on my shelf for over a year. It’s a beautiful Cherry Red and I fell in love with it at first sight. Just haven’t had the perfect project until now.
After I rubbed her down with Vaseline (sounds a little strange when I put it that way), I put a coat of the Cherry Red on the bottom of the chest. The top I intended to leave turquoise, no red topcoat.
When the red paint was dry I took a damp rag and wiped it down. The areas where the Vaseline was applied rubbed off pretty easily. At this point I decided to go ahead and put Vaseline on the top and then paint it red too. I wasn’t loving the contrast.
I went through the same process with the top…..damp rag…..rub all over…..paint comes off.
Next for the “over the top” touch, a Martha Stewart stencil
I used the same turquoise paint for the stencil. I didn’t want a perfect look so I did a few off center curlicues at the bottom of the design and then I took a sanding block and lightly sanded the whole chest, stencil included, just very lightly. To protect the finish and for a little extra pow, I applied two coats of Minwax Poly Acrylic Latex Gloss Sealer. The turquoise and red really pop against each other. The turquoise doesn’t show as well in the photos. It’s a little more vibrant than its showing here.
The color combo inspiration came from a chest painted by Amanda of Mommy Is CooCoo. She painted and stenciled a beautiful chest using these colors. I’ve had it pinned to my Furniture Inspiration board for over a year.
Update October 28, 2016 – Video Tutorial: Vaseline Distressed Furniture / How To Distress Paint With Vaseline
Since I painted the cedar chest I’ve completed several projects using Vaseline To Distress Paint. You can see the complete project by clicking the pink links below.
Turquoise Sewing Table
Pink and Gray Layered Paint Finish
Shabby Chic Layered Paint Using Vaseline
amanda @ mommy is coocoo says
Beautiful! I love this color and the transformation is amazing! Have a great night my friend.
Kathy Owen says
thanks CooCoo
jp says
I’ve been pretty absent, lately, due to our moving process…but, just had to pin this one and comment that I love it! I have a cedar chest that I painted many years ago, white with a floral design and it has been waiting for me to repair and re-do it. I can’t wait to get re-settled and transform it again! Thank you for sharing your wonderful project!
Kim C says
Kathy, This is an awesome looking re-do and I really appreciate the tutorial, I was wondering if you sealed it with anything when you were done painting?. Thanks!
Kim C.
Kathy Owen says
you know, I did seal it and I forgot to put that on the post. thanks for asking. I put on two coats of minwax polyacrylic latex gloss.
Mary Melton says
I would not have thought the colors would work together; the chest is lovely. It colors are so pretty and the stencil was just what it needed! Good job, Kathy!
Kathy Owen says
I know Mary, I wouldn’t have put them together either but I’ve noticed a lot of fabrics designs with the two colors together
Sharon says
I have never tried vaseline to distress, but you’ve inspired me to give it a try!
Kathy Owen says
It was sooo easy and worked great
Sue says
It’s so charming and pretty, and I love the two colors together.
I love your creative process.
Kathy Owen says
Thanks Sue, I love the two colors together. I have to admit I wouldn’t have paired them together if I didn’t have inspiration from other places.
Goedele - Old Red Barn says
Hi, fellow MMS retailer, great tutorial!! It would be awesome if you would join my first link party this weekend with this project!
Hugs
Goedele
Old Red Barn, from Belgium
Kathy Owen says
thanks for the party invite, I’ll hop right over!
Heather May says
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS TRUCK! I have one that I white washed but it isn’t near as cool as the red color….maybe it needs updating?!?!? I pinned this so I can use it as a guide! I will be hosting a blog hop on Monday at http://www.frugalfitfamily.com and the link is up so if you get a chance…stop by and join in!
Little Bit says
Wow! I haven’t heard of using vaseline for this before, but I’m for sure going to try it sometime. it looks great. I’m pinning this too. Little Bit from http://www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
Tía Pepa says
The trunk turned out great. I always use wax to make the paint come of more easy but next time I will try te vaseline. Thanks for sharing. Pascale
kelly arent {copper roof interiors llc} says
Hi Kathy, Love the look of this chest! It turned out fabulous. I have used the vaseline tech too…..it’s a great look. Love your site and following.
Kathi says
Thanks for the tip; really enjoyed learning this stuff!! Awesome!!!
Rebecca says
I’ve been researching distressed painting. I have purchased several pieces for my bedroom and am eager to get started but feeling a bit intimidated by all the different processes/paints available. (Oil vs. latex, chalk vs. milk, sanding vs. not sanding, etc.) I love the idea of using vaseline as opposed to candle wax. Thank-you for sharing!
Chippy says
I live on Vancouver Island. Recently took a class on chalk paint and have done a few small projects. Will give the vaseline a try. Do you prefer latex to chalk paint?
Sue says
I wanted to use the milk paint, two colors, and have the bottom color show through. I was going to use one of the wax pucks for coving some of the dried lavender paint (1st coat) and then paint over that with the linen paint. I’ve gone through your videos and I don’t see a video of the process I want to use. I’m a newbie at this so need some technical help.
Thanks
Kathy Owen says
Sent you an email Sue. Miss Mustard Seed has a wax puck tutorial on her site.
Crazed lover says
Do you have to sand down the dresser before you apply the paint?
Kathy Owen says
I never sand before painting if I can help it!!
Jeannie says
I have an old metal milk jug that I want to try this on. I want it to be a deep brick red with hints of turquoise throughout. Great post!
Kathy Owen says
That would look awesome…now I have to look for a milk jug!
Vanessa says
Definitely adding this to my list of things to try! This seems much easier than sanding to get the distressed look. Thank you for sharing!
Leticia says
This looks just beautiful…I am going to use your instructions on a wall cabinet I purchased for my kitchen! Thank you for sharing! Leticia
Rula says
Amazing idea to use vaseline instead of chemicals products .i have another idea acts same way as vaseline which is to rub candle over the surface and then put the other coat of paint ,which will stick away from the candle coat and give rustik feel like
[email protected] says
Love this look. You’ve inspired me. I’m sitting here trying to figure out which piece of furniture I can try this on!
Paula says
I’m a bit confused. Did you put the thin layer all over the piece or certain places where u wanted to rub & distress?
Enjoy reading all your posts! Thx for the inspiration!
Kathy Owen says
Thank you Paula. I love my readers! I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you guys. I put the Vaseline on willy nilly where I thought I wanted the piece to be distressed. I’m getting ready to do a piece maybe in January and try something a little different.
Janet says
Thanks for sharing this technique! I have done some chalk painting…..I can’t wait to try the Vaseline method. Also, luv the color combination. Another idea I heard was to use a dark pink 1st coat with a red 2nd coat, then distress it with the dark pink showing through. Awesome. I want to try both these! Thx. Keep those creative ideas coming!
Bev says
I’m in the process of painting a wooden ottoman and found your technique of using Vaseline to distress the color a bit; I can’t wait for the first coat to dry!!!
patty matthieu says
what kind of blue paint did you use was that chalk paint? i sent a message but don’t know if it went threw i’m new at this
Nancy Hayward says
Ive been thinking about trying this technique and was happy to see it used with the same colors i will be using on an old sewing machine table I purchased for just $7 (minus the sewing machine). With any luck mine will turn out just as nicely.
vikki says
This is beautiful, doesn’t hurt that RED and TURQUOISE
vikki says
Sorry, hit the send button to quickly, I meant to say those are my favorite colors!! lol…I am just trying to learn how to distress furniture so I need to know EVERYTHING! I spoke to a lady in a furniture store the other day and she mentioned Vaseline, I thought she much be nuts, but now I see that I was wrong! I really need to know, step for step, EXACTLY what to do, althought you covered most of it, I need to know if you have left anything out, event he smallest bit of info. I have a whole house full of rustic furniture that I am tired of having NO color and have been given the OK to distress, but I have to know how FIRST!!! A “painters” paradise! lol Please give me all of the advise you can. Thank you so much!!! Love your work! Vikki
Stacie Jenkins says
Great tutorial! I’m a beginner and this was very helpful. I bought my first small project yesterday and I’m wondering if you can use this process with chalk paint?
Kathy Owen says
I don’t think I would try the process with chalk paint. Chalk paint really grabs on to wax or anything applied to it. I would be afraid the vaseline would soak into the chalk paint and you wouldn’t get the same effect. But I could be wrong. Maybe try this on a sample board with the chalk paint and the Vaseline. Hope this helps!
Carmen says
I am currently doing a refurbishing project with the Behr latex paint, and I want to try the Vaseline technique. I am curious, however, when it comes to wiping off the Vaseline, if one uses a damp cloth, would the latex paint (the paint that one wants to stay on their project) not wipe off due to it being water-soluble?
Thanks for your advice.
Kathy Owen says
Carmen, You don’t wipe the Vaseline off. Brush on your first layer of paint…let it dry….wipe on the Vaseline….heavily….paint on your second color….let dry….rub the top layer off with a damp cloth or wet cloth depending on how easily the paint rubs off. Hope this helps.
David Guetta says
Thanks for sharing this technique! I have done some chalk painting…..I can’t wait to try the Vaseline method. Also, luv the color combination. Another idea I heard was to use a dark pink 1st coat with a red 2nd coat, then distress it with the dark pink showing through. Awesome. I want to try both these! Thx. Keep those creative ideas coming!
Kathy Owen says
Thanks David. That color combo sounds fun. Someone also suggested gray and pink combo!
Pami says
I applaud your courage on this project! i almost cried when i saw the BEFORE pic…that cedar was SOO BEAUTIFUL! I was so sure I would only hate whatever you did to it. Turns out I do not know my own mind. The new look is great. I am so gonna try that look… I have an old trunk that needs some lovin’! Thanks for opening my eyes … My goal is to rescue stuff from the dump..so I must learn that my personal prejudices about wood need to take a back seat!
Kathy Owen says
I know what you mean about painting some wood furniture. There are some things I will not paint. I also wish you and every one else could see the piece in person. Those photos are horrible. I’ve worked on my photography skills and have improved since those photos were taken. I still have a long way to go. Good luck with your trunk.