How To Layer Paint On Furniture Using Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Did you know you can use Vaseline to create a beautiful layered paint finish on furniture? It’s one of my favorite tricks for getting that worn, distressed look without sanding through every layer of paint.

The secret is applying a little petroleum jelly between two contrasting paint colors. The Vaseline acts as a resist, making it easy to remove the top layer of paint only where you want.

I used this technique to give an old vanity nightstand a shabby chic makeover with layers of coral pink and off-white paint. Wait until you see how it turned out!

 

I bought this little nightstand/end table—whatever you want it to be—at My Favorite Junk Shop for ten dollars. Does it look a little odd? That’s because it’s one half (or less!) of a vintage vanity.

I actually love these little pieces. The peeling veneer and missing hardware didn’t scare me off. I knew at first sight it would be a stunner once I painted and distressed it.

Supplies Needed to Layer Paint on Furniture

• 2 paint colors of your choice 
• Vaseline (petroleum jelly)
• 3M flexible sandpaper
• Paint brush
• Soft lint-free rag (I use old sheets)
• Simple Green
• Sandpaper

You don’t need expensive paint for this technique. In fact, I used a 50-cent sample of Behr oops paint for my first layer!

The trick is choosing two colors with enough contrast that the bottom layer will show when you distress the top coat. You can use chalk paint or other suitable furniture paints, but I recommend testing your paint combination on a scrap piece first.

And don’t forget the Vaseline. A little goes a long way!

How To Layer Paint On Furniture Using Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

This step-by-step tutorial walks you through layering paint on furniture with Vaseline. I also made a quick video tutorial with more details. The video is just over a minute long and shows exactly how to apply Vaseline to achieve a perfectly layered paint finish.

Step 1. Prep the Furniture

The piece I chose for this project has a lot of missing and bubbled veneer. It’s the perfect candidate for layering paint. The detailed wood applique and rough finish will look beautifully distressed.

First, I peeled off the loose veneer, then sanded the rough edges with 100-grit sandpaper. The coarse-grit paper made the surface nice and smooth. Next, I cleaned the table inside and out with Simple Green.

 

 

Step 2. Apply The First Layer Of Paint

Do you remember when shabby chic decor was all the rage? I do, and working on this project reminded me how much I still love the look. The soft colors and worn finish are just so pretty.

For the bottom layer, I used a pinkish coral Behr sample jar. It was on the oops paint shelf for 50 cents. You can’t beat that price, and a sample jar goes a lot further than you’d think. I brushed on one coat of paint, and it covered really well.

Be sure to let that first coat dry completely before moving on to the Vaseline. You don’t want to rub off the pretty color you just painted on!

Step 3. Apply Vaseline to the Paint

Once the base paint layer is completely dry, add the Vaseline. This is the key step for layering paint on furniture with Vaseline and getting that chippy, worn look.

Apply Vaseline only in the areas where furniture would normally wear. I used a clean, lint-free rag to dab it on. Old sheets are perfect for projects like this. They’re lint-free and also great for applying and buffing wax—just tear them into workable-size pieces.

Sometimes I put on nitrile or latex gloves, rub a very thin layer of petroleum jelly on them, then run my gloved hands over the detailed areas I want to look distressed or layered.

A thin layer of Vaseline is all you need. Don’t apply it too thickly or your brush will drag when you add the second layer of paint, and it will get very messy. Trust me—voice of experience here.

How to Apply the Vaseline for Best Results

Think about where furniture naturally gets worn over time. That’s where I like to apply the Vaseline.

Start with the edges, corners, raised details, and areas around drawer pulls. On this little vanity, I concentrated on the decorative details because I wanted the coral paint to peek through the off-white finish.

You don’t need to cover large areas with petroleum jelly. A few strategically placed spots will give your furniture a more natural distressed look.

And remember, less is better. You can always distress a little more paint later if you want a more worn finish.

Step 4. Apply the Second Layer of Paint

Now it’s time to apply the top layer of paint. I used Beyond Paint in off-white. Make sure there’s a clear contrast between the two paint colors you choose. For example, you wouldn’t want to use two very similar shades of pink.

Brush the top color right over the areas where you applied Vaseline. It will look odd at this point, but that’s okay—you’ll see the magic when you start sanding.

Let the top coat dry according to the paint manufacturer’s directions before you start distressing.

Step 5. Distress the Paint Layers

Once the top paint layer is dry, distress the paint to reveal those pretty layers.

I used 100-grit 3M flexible sandpaper, but any sandpaper around 100–120 grit will work. Sand the painted areas where you applied Vaseline. You can also lightly distress other areas of the paint if you like.

Where you applied Vaseline, the top layer of paint will sand off easily, revealing the bottom layer. This is why this is called the Vaseline paint resist technique.

In most cases, sanding without the Vaseline layer would remove both paint layers, leaving raw wood. Using Vaseline is such a great way to distress paint and control where the wear shows.

Troubleshooting the Vaseline Paint Resist Technique

What if the paint won’t come off?

The top coat may need a little more sanding, or there may not have been enough Vaseline in that spot. Start with light pressure and gradually increase it.

What if too much paint comes off?

You may have applied too much Vaseline. Next time, use a thinner layer and concentrate on smaller areas.

Can you use Vaseline with chalk paint?

Yes, it can work with chalk paint. Test your particular paint combination first, since different formulas may respond differently.

Can you remove the top paint layer without sandpaper?

Yes, try the wet distress method. This method works best right after the paint dries. Use a wet wipe or something similar and rub it over the areas where you layered the paint over the Vaseline.

Do you need to seal the furniture afterward?

That depends on the paint and how the furniture will be used. Follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations, and remove any petroleum jelly residue before applying a compatible protective finish.

The beautiful decorative detail on the vanity door was still intact—win-win. Usually, the wood appliqués are in pieces.

The knobs I used for the makeover were salvaged from the white-washed coral chest of drawers I painted earlier this year. The knobs work well because they don’t overshadow the pretty wood details.

Don’t you love the little curvy detail on the bottom? Want to try this technique? I promise you’ll be amazed.

If you love this shabby chic nightstand, take a look at my vintage cedar chest makeover. I used the same Vaseline distressing technique, then added a decorative stencil for a completely different look.

If you like the look of the original stained finish peeking through your topcoat of paint, try this wet distressing technique for no mess and no raw-wood look.How To Wet Distress Paint

 

Shabby Chic never looked so good. It’s still in style for me!

Have a great weekend. Kathy