In this tutorial company co-founder, Rosanne will show you how to create a gorgeous, glamorous finish on raw wood using Country Chic Paint products!

Step 1) Start with clean, raw wood

This technique works best on raw wood that doesn’t have a stain or paint on it. If your piece was previously finished with another product, it’s best to strip that finish off before you begin. Make sure your piece is smooth and free of dust or other contaminants.

Step 2) Apply a coat of Glaze

To start, we want to deepen the wood tones by applying some glaze. We can achieve this by applying a coat of Tiger’s Eye glaze. Make sure you shake and stir your jar of glaze before you begin, then use a synthetic bristle paint brush to apply one even coat all over your surface. You can use a damp, lint-free rag to wipe away the excess until you’re happy with the look. Work with the grain of the wood! Keep your brush strokes and rag movements in line with the wood grain for best results. If you’re working on a large project, keep in mind that the glaze dries quite quickly so you’ll want to work in small sections. You can let the coat of glaze dry for about 30 minutes or more, depending on humidity.

Step 3) Add depth with another coat of Glaze

To add a bit more depth to the color, we will add another coat of Glaze. This time, we will use Smoky Quartz Glaze. Simply brush on one coat and use a damp rag to wipe off the excess. After applying both glazes, let your piece dry for 1-2 hours.

Step 4) Apply a wash of paint

Now that you’ve deepened the wood color, you can make the finish a bit more delicate by adding a wash of paint. We chose Pebble Beach to add as the first wash later. Pour a small amount of paint onto a paper plate. Dip your paint brush in water to thin the paint down. If you are working with a larger piece, you’ll want to stir a small amount of water right into the paint before you start to help thin it out. If you’re thinning your paint down, try a ratio of 1:4 parts water to paint to start with. Apply the paint across your surface in the direction of the wood grain and immediately wipe off the excess. If you’re working on a large surface, make sure you work in small sections and wipe off the excess occasionally as you go. Let your piece dry for 30 minutes – 1 hour.

Step 5) Add another wash of paint

To add more depth, you can use another color of paint for one last wash. We’re using Lazy Linen to complement the darker tone of Pebble Beach. To add another wash, simply repeat the Step 4. If you feel like it’s too light or too dark, you can always go back and touch up the color. Let your piece dry for about 1 hour.

Step 6) Chic it up by adding Pearl Wax

Now that your piece is completely dry, you can add some final touches with Pearl Wax to make it more glamorous. Apply the wax with a Country Chic Paint wax brush or a lint-free rag if you prefer. Scoop some of the wax out with a stir stick, and apply one thin coat of wax over your entire surface. Begin buffing your piece and continue until the wax feels smooth and dry to the touch.

Step 7) Seal your piece with Hemp Oil

Use a lint-free rag to apply one coat of Hemp Oil over your entire piece, then let it soak into the finish for about 12 hours. If it feels wet to the touch after 12 hours you can use a clean rag to buff away the excess oil. This technique will lighten up any raw wood piece and add a hint of glamour and shimmer. This technique works beautifully on surfaces such as dresser tops!

Find these products at your local retailer

If you would like to try this technique for yourself, stop by our store locator and call your local retailer for availability. If you do not have a local retailer, you can also find these products in our online shop.

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We would love to hear what projects you’re working on, so make sure to leave a comment or post a picture of your project to our Facebook page or Instagram (@countrychicpaint)!