Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/8/2007

Question
Hi,
I just painted over my daughter's cherry bed room furniture.  It isn't true wood, but some kind of faux stuff.  I sanded, primed and painted it a color called Sand Dollar by Sherwin Williams. I want to make it looked distressed and am wondering if it is too late to do that.  I don't want to make any dents or anything, just the paint.  What do you suggest?  Do you think if I sand the edges that the cherry will show through enough to make it look distressed??

Answer
Hi Alison
Nice to hear from you.
Its certainly not too late to do this, but I personally do not like this look.
Enough sanding will certainly expose the underlying cherry color if this was real wood, but you say this is not true wood.
Its possible its thin plastic over hardboard.
If thats the case you will ruin the bed.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen