Looking to step up your furniture painting game? This wet sanding technique is one of my favorite ways to achieve depth on painted furniture.

These boring side tables needed a new life so I decided to do layers of So Serene, Vanilla Bear, and Hazelnut Armor to give them a beautiful second chance. The top was painted with Buffalo Brown then Hazelnut Armor was applied to give it the look of stained wood without all the sanding mess.

Colors Used:

Before so serene vanilla bear side tables
Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique

As always start with a clean finish. This piece had years of furniture polish build up so I used a sanding block and vinegar water to make sure there was no chance of any greasy polish left behind. See more here for prep and a basic painting how-to. Furniture Painting 101

How to clean furniture for painting

The first step is to paint your base coat, I used So Serene on all the areas I knew I would be distressing and wanted this color to show. The edges, details, corners, etc…

Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique

Once that dries apply your top color. I did two coats of Vanilla Bear all over.

Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique

After your final coat dries use a misting water bottle and sanding sponge to reveal So Serene and some of the original finish.

Start by misting a small section with water and then use a damp sanding sponge (I start with Fine grit and move up to Medium grit if I need to remove more) Use a damp washrag to wipe away paint as you go.

After I have distressed and revealed all the base paint coats I wanted I went over the entire piece with Matte Armor.  Doing this makes using the Tinted Armor easier to work with.  I used Hazelnut Armor as a glaze and applied it all over a section with an Armor Applicator Sponge then used a damp washrag to wipe away leaving it heavier in details and in areas that would normally have aged.

Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique

After Sanding

Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique

After Matte Armor

Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique

After Hazelnut Tinted Armor

Have fun with it…don’t be afraid to use multiple layers of different colors. Practice on a piece of cardboard or scrap wood..Be brave and Paint with Passion!

Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique
Layered Furniture Finish - Wet Sanding Technique