Saturday

Wooden Paint Drag For Paint Layering/Distressing

Recently Carlene from Organized Clutter did a post about a product called a layering block. 

I had never seen or heard of such a thing before she introduced it.

I was intrigued.

I was also not near a craft store at the precise moment I wanted to try the product, so I made do instead.

Making do meant making one.

Homemade Wooden Paint Drag for Distressing and Paint Layering, Bliss-Ranch.com
I'm calling mine a wooden paint drag because the wood block needs to be pulled across the item to give it a distressed look. 

It's done with paint and without sanding.

It's a pretty nifty little thing and works great.

Homemade Wooden Paint Drag for Distressing and Paint Layering, Bliss-Ranch.com

The concept is simple; put a light coat of paint on the wood block and drag it across the item you want to have a distressed or layered paint look.

Homemade Wooden Paint Drag for Distressing and Paint Layering, Bliss-Ranch.com

It works wonderful on a flat surface as well as the edges of a project.

Homemade Wooden Paint Drag for Distressing and Paint Layering, Bliss-Ranch.com

The first time I tried out the idea I didn't have a wood block (which really means I didn't want to hunt one down in the garage) but I did have a wood slat, so I used that. 

I simply put a light coat of paint on the slat and pulled it around in the areas I wanted a bit of distressing.

The slat worked fine but the shape was a bit cumbersome, however it worked good enough to convince me of the potential, and it was a lot easier and less messy than sanding.

Earlier in the week I posted this old tool tote that I transformed into a pretty nice table centerpiece, and I used the wooden drag on it in a variety of Fusion Mineral Paint colors.

Homemade Wooden Paint Drag for Distressing and Paint Layering, Bliss-Ranch.com

The drag was used before I lettered the tote, then I did take some sand paper and sand across the brown letters so the other colors of paint would show through. 

If you want distressing down to bare wood, of course you would still have to use sand paper.  The drag adds paint in whatever colors you choose, to give a layered look.

This nifty little homemade wooden paint drag took only a couple times to get the hang of it. 

I'm going to make more in different sizes, smaller for smaller projects, maybe larger for bigger ones.

Maybe I'll even get creative with different textures on the drag itself.

Homemade Wooden Paint Drag for Distressing and Paint Layering, Bliss-Ranch.com

There will definitely still be times where nothing gives me the look I want other than using sand paper, but for smaller projects or ones where I just want a little paint layering or distressing on the edges, using the wooden paint drag will come in very handy.

Oh.... and if you don't already stop on a regular basis at Organized Clutter, do so - Carlene is always re-purposing something and she is full of interesting ideas.






Subscribe, Bliss Ranch arrives magically!

Follow on Bloglovin

18 comments :

  1. This is such a great idea! I DO hate to sand to distress things. Did you just glue or screw the handle on the block? Thanks for sharing this...I am pinning it now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is such a great idea! I DO hate to sand to distress things. Did you just glue or screw the handle on the block? Thanks for sharing this...I am pinning it now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great way to add more character with paint and with no mess. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the mention!!!!! I love my layering block.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am definitely gonna try this! I love the look and the fact that I don't ha e to make a mess sanding...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Making one today! I wanted to try it when I saw Carlene's and thought it would be an easy build but wasn't sure it would work. Thanks for trying it out for me and now I'm off to create one for myself! Thanks lady!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a great make-do idea, Bliss...I love the look you got with it! Carlene is always doing something fun...and she has the most beautiful gardens!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's a great idea! There have been times when I wanted a distressed look but the under layer of the paint wasn't in the right color. So, I didn't want to use sandpaper. I will keep this in mind for future projects.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I need this in my life. I've never even heard of one, but the results look so authentic!

    I'm not sure how I missed that part in Carlene's post... guess I was too busy being shocked at her decadent project to read any words! :)

    Thanks for creating this post, Bliss! Doing this!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great idea. Now you could go into the "layering block" business and make yourself a fortune....just an idea!
    Hope you have a great Sunday and have fun 'layering'. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great idea! Cant wait to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. i wish i was good at these types of finishes. the fall box looks amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is the coolest thing I have seen in ages! I would never have thought to try something like this. Making my own too. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I saw this technique on Flea Market flip a while back. They used it on unfinished wood and it worked well. Glad to see your experience. Cute tote by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  15. hmmmm I will have to remember this little trick. First I've heard of it. I'm surprised I didn't see it on Flea Market Flip as Karen mentioned.

    Thanks for sharing Bliss, love the tote colors!

    gail

    ps pinning

    ReplyDelete
  16. hmmmm I will have to remember this little trick. First I've heard of it. I'm surprised I didn't see it on Flea Market Flip as Karen mentioned.

    Thanks for sharing Bliss, love the tote colors!

    gail

    ps pinning

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've never heard of this either. Cool trick!! I love the tote, but you know that!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for creating this paint dragging tool. Going to make a few. So handy, can't wait to try!!

    ReplyDelete

I read every.single.comment. If comments are turned off on a post it's due to spam, so drop me an email instead BlissRanchBoss@hotmail.com.

BB
Disclosure Policy for Bliss Ranch:
From time to time there might be a written review of services or products on this blog for which Bliss Ranch may or may not have received that service or product for free. Receiving a product or service for free or at a discount will never dictate what is written on this blog or guarantee a favorable review. All opinions here belong to Bliss Ranch and Bliss Ranch alone. Bliss Ranch is not monetarily compensated to write anything on this blog... period! For the complete privacy policy please see the tab at the top of the blog.