Get The Look: 3 Rustic Wood Finishes by Distressing Water Based Wood & Dye Stains

From GF University, 3 rustic, casual barn-wood style finishes created with General Finishes Water Based Stains & Dye Stains using a unique wet sanding technique. Pallet board was stabilized with an MDF base using Titebond 3 Wood Glue & ½ Fine Brad Nailer.

GET THE LOOK FROM GF UNIVERSITY: 3 RUSTIC WOOD FINISHES 2 MINUTE VIDEO using General Finishes Water Based Wood Stains and Dye Stains. PLEASE SHARE.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • ¼ “Pallet Board glued and roughly planned to desired thickness, then glued and nailed to an MDF substrate to provide stability.
  • Black Water Based Wood Stain
  • Water Based Dye Stain – your choice of color. We created 3 looks using LIght Brown Dye Stain, Vintage Cherry Dye Stain and Blue Dye Stain
  • Foam Brushes
  • Wiping clothes
  • Sandpaper -150-220 grit
  • Tack Cloth

HERE IS HOW TO GET THE LOOK

Step 1: Apply a liberal coat of Black Water Based Wood Stain with a foam brush to the entire piece.

Step 2: Work the excess stain into the grain with a cloth, then wipe off the excess.

Step 3: We show sanding the wet Wood Stain in the video immediately, but you can let the stain dry for easier sanding. Sand off the stain beginning with #150-grit sandpaper and finishing with #220-grit sandpaper. Sand lightly over rough area’s so you see more of the rustic character, saw cuts and other markings in the wood.

Step 4: Wipe down your piece with a tack cloth several times to remove any black dust from sanding.

Step 5: Apply a liberal coat of the Dye Stain color of your choice.

Step 6: Wipe off the excess Dye Stain. The dye will take differently in some areas because of the first layer of Wood Stain.

Step 7: Let the stain dry and topcoat with any GF Topcoat. We used High Performance Flat.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

  • Use Wood Stain FIRST. If you use the Dye stain first it will not sand off.
  • Work the Wood Stain into the grain.
  • The longer you let it dry the easier it will be to sand off.
  • Apply second coat of Dye Stain if you’d like a deeper color.