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Distress Painted Furniture Using Vaseline | Apply Between Paint Layers

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You can distress painted furniture or distress wood furniture using the Vaseline paint trick. Petroleum jelly or Vaseline is a paint resist meaning the paint will not adhere to any area covered with Vaseline. This is a step by step tutorial with photos and an awesome video with all the details at the bottom of this post.

How To Use Vaseline To Distress Furniture

Distress Painted Furniture Using Vaseline

I promised you guys step by step details on the cedar chest I painted red and turquoise. Here it is…

Distress Painted Furniture Using Vaseline

This is the cedar chest after it was painted, distressed, and stenciled.

cedar chest before cherry red vaseline distressed paint technique

I paid $15.00 for the cedar chest with broken top. The JTS made the repairs for me. I could see potential in the cedar chest despite the flaws.

vintage cedar chest

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It was a bit discolored inside but a little cleaning with Simple Green took care of that.

furniture makeover using layered paint and vaseline for distressing

Step 1. Paint furniture desired color using paint of choice.

I didn’t have the perfect paint color on hand and I combined several colors from my paint stash to get this beautiful blue.

Mixing Paint colors

I hate to go and buy more paint if I can work with what I have on hand.

Step 2. When paint is dry wipe Vaseline lightly over selected areas of the painted surface.

using Vaseline to distress furniture

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 Vaseline (petroleum jelly) as a paint resist has been around for a while. I’ve used this process numerous times with beautiful results.

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 or all over the cedar chest, just little swipes here and there.

how to layer paint and distress paint using vaseline

Step 3. Brush on second coat of paint in a contrasting color to first layer.

I used a can of oops paint from Wal-Mart for the top coat. This paint has been sitting on my shelf for over a year.

Cherry Red color oops paint from Walmart

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.

vaseline distressed paint project

After I rubbed the chest 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.

Step 4. Let dry then immediately wipe off top layer of paint with a rag.

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 between the top and the body of the cedar chest. It’s okay to change furniture makeover plans mid-stream. I do it all the time. If the plan isn’t working, move on.

I went through the same process with the top…..damp rag…..rub all over…..paint comes off. I use a damp rag instead of sandpaper because I don’t want the scratched paint look.

Step 5. Add A Stenciled Detail

Martha Stewart Stencil Flourish

Next for the “over the top” touch, a Martha Stewart stencil from Michaels.

Martha Stewart Stencil

I selected parts of the stencil and placed them in a decorative pattern. I used the same turquoise paint for the stencil.

You can distress painted furniture using the Vaseline paint trick. Petroleum jelly or Vaseline is a paint resist meaning the paint will not adhere to any area covered with Vaseline.

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 so the paint wouldn’t look scratched.

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.

View My Video Tutorial Using Vaseline To Distress Furniture……

Video Tutorial: How To Distress Painted Furniture Using Vaseline

If you liked this project you will love this project using Vaseline To Distress Paint. ..Turquoise and Green Layering Using Vaseline

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and choose to make a purchase from the partnership site, the price will be the same but will share some commission.

Favorite DIY Tools and Paints:
Beyond Paint for Furniture 
Ryobi Drill (cordless)
Mouse Sander (cordless)
FrogTape Painters Tape
Howard’s Restore-a-Finish
Rustoleum Heirloom White Spray Paint
Rustoleum Metallic Copper Spray Paint

If you have any questions about this process just email me. My email is kathy(at)petticoatjunktion.com. As always, thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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!

  5. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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!!!

  10. 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!

  11. 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.

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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!

  16. 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!

  18. 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

  19. 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?

  20. 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!

  22. 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.

  23. 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

  25. 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

  26. 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.

  28. 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

  29. 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.

  30. 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!

  31. amanda @ mommy is coocoo says

    Beautiful! I love this color and the transformation is amazing! Have a great night my friend.

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