How do I get the old dirty distressed look for my white headboard?

Answer 1

Before painting, attack the headboard with a soap sock, beat it with a chain, nick it with a blade or a screwdriver, rub a chain around the spindles and corners, etc. You want natural looking dings and dents and small gouges in it. Of course, if this is an old piece, it probably has this already, and if it is an heirloom you don't want to damage it any more than it already is, it is likely very well lovingly distressed over years of use. If it is a new piece, and a cheap find, then beat it up all you want.

Then paint it out, and do one of several things:

Apply a crackle treatment to make it look like it is chipping.
Rub the "high-traffic" spots with sandpaper to knock off some paint. By high traffic, I mean, where you would touch it, or where it would get banged up over time, such as by drawers being opened and hitting it, or a vacuum cleaner getting under the bed.
Wipe some of the damp paint off with the grain to make it look faded.
Antique over the paint with stain...makes it look dirty.

Answer 2

Paint it Black use a thick design faux brush, let dry, paint again black, in between use sand paper on the corners and ends to make that distressed loo, sand paper while still wet, then wipe with a cotton towel.. until you get the look you want.
hope this helps

Answer 3

Just frown like your depressed, That's the look I usually give when I'm distressed. Or try a woodworking internet site, Distressed wood usually looks good with stained or natural wood, Not painted.

Answer 4

Invite my 7 year old daughter for a weekend visit! Guaranteed to work!

Answer 5

Try a craft (Franks/Michaels) or fabric (JoAnns) store. They sell a paint for that type of look. They also have paints to make things look rusty.