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May 9, 2012

The “Dirty Cowboy” Treatment

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distress your furniture to add a little rustic flare

How to give your furniture the dirty cowboy treatment (distressing with stain) - Domestic Imperfection

Ahh, the Dirty Cowboy…a great way to give your furniture some personality. That’s right… furniture. Is that not what you were expecting? What kind of blog do you think I’m running over here?

So I didn’t entirely make this technique up, it is really just dry brushing… or antiquing, or distressing with stain, or a variety of  other names. I’ve tried to dry brush furniture a few different ways and this is the way I found worked the best, was the easiest  and gave me the best result.

First your going to need a painted piece of furniture. (This is the side of a “mystery table” that I haven’t shown you yet.)

turquoise table before the dirty cowboy treatment

Then you’ll need some stain and the crappiest paint brush you can find. Remember that brush that you accidentally left sitting in paint thinner, then you tried to rescue it but couldn’t, then your toddler found it and used it as a shovel? Yeah, that one…well now you have a use for it.

Tools used to distress furniture with stain

This is a really simple process and it would be hard to mess up. The goal is just to make it look dirty and used, so don’t take yourself to seriously :)

First dip the brush in your stain.

distress furniture with stain

Then “paint” your dropcloth (or old towel or whatever you use to clean up project messes) until hardly any stain is left on it.

distressing furniture with stain

Next, brush it onto your surface. Just brush it on real quick, the side of this table took me about five seconds to do (not counting the picture taking, of course).

The Dirty Cowboy Treatment (distressing furniture with stain) from Domestic Imperfection

 I like to add a lot of stain to any corners or grooves.

The Dirty Cowboy Treatment (distressing furniture with stain)

Then grab a rag and wipe it all down until your happy with the way it looks.

The Dirty Cowboy Treatment (distressing furniture with stain)

If you need more stain just repeat the process, or if you used too much then do the same thing with your paint color.

The Dirty Cowboy Treatment (distressing furniture with stain)

Lastly, seal it (I use polycrylic) and your done!

Also, it is hard for stain to dry over paint and it may be tacky for awhile. You can wait it tout, or you can just poly over the tacky stain. I didn’t wait :)

The Dirty Cowboy Treatment (dry brushing)

And that’s that! I think my dirty looking table matches my dirtfest of a front yard quite nicely, wouldn’t you agree?

(Special note – using a flat paint will make this harder, I used eggshell and it worked well.)

Want more furniture ideas? GO HERE

Furniture ideas

distress your furniture to add a little rustic flare
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Filed Under: DIY Basics, Furniture, Popular Posts, Projects58 Comments

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Comments

  1. Becca says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:11 am

    So easy! This looks great. I’m dying to see the front of this mystery table :)

    Reply
  2. [email protected] Nikiforoff Designs says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:52 am

    This is kinda neat. But as a sister of a real cowboy, I gotta say the dirty cowboys I’ve seen never look quite this good. LOL! I did this treatment years ago on the top of a painted table. Because I’d painted it with a roller it gave an orange peel effect. So with the stain on top, it looks quite nice…no brush strokes. :-) It’s fun what you can do with stain over paint.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      May 9, 2012 at 8:01 am

      OOO, gonna have to try that!

      Reply
  3. Princess Kate says

    May 9, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Looks awesome. Can’t wait to see the whole table. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. bekah says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Ill have to try this sometime! Also, I really love the first few sentences of this post, definitely had me laughing!

    Reply
  5. Jan Elizabeth says

    May 9, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    “Dirtfest”, haha, love it! Looking forward to seeing the final product.

    Reply
  6. mary anne says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Love your site and this project. I’ve never tried stenciling, but may have to try this paisley!

    I do have a question though: Just painted a headboard gray with latex paint after sanding previous finish off. Did three coats and waited several weeks. Then stained using minwax wood finish (dark walnut). Waited 24 hours. All looked good. Then I applied Johnson paste finishing wax in neutral. It took off the stain! What did I do wrong?

    Reply
  7. maggie b. says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    You rock. Plain and simple, girlfriend.

    Reply
  8. Cottage By The Sea says

    May 10, 2012 at 6:48 am

    Brilliant, I love it. And I love that you call it “The Dirty Cowboy Treatment”. Yee haw!

    Reply
  9. margo says

    May 17, 2012 at 7:51 am

    Love this, thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  10. Jenn Gray says

    May 17, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Super Cute. Bythewayjenngray.blogspot.com

    Reply
  11. HeatherK @ AReformedHeath'n says

    May 17, 2012 at 11:42 am

    Thanks! I love this method and hope to be using it soon. I appreciate the share!

    Reply
  12. Becky says

    May 17, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    This looks great–I love playing with different finishes. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Kristin C. says

    May 21, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Can’t wait to see the front =) Love the way the stain makes such an awesome impact!

    Visiting from House of Hepworths

    Reply
  14. Melissa @ Loving this crazy life! says

    May 21, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    I love the name of your treatment! :) Dirty Cowboy! Hehe! Anywho, I love the way it came out and I’ll definitely be giving it a try.

    Found you over at I Should Be Mopping the Floor.

    I would love for you to link up to my party: http://lovingthiscrazylife-melissa.blogspot.com/search/label/POC%20LINKY%20PARTY

    Hope you have a fantastic week!

    Reply
  15. Tanya says

    May 21, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    Haha! Way to grab our attention with the tagline! Worked on me :) Your project turned out fAbUlOus!

    Tanya :)

    Reply
  16. BeColorful says

    May 25, 2012 at 11:17 am

    Dirty or clean, I love it. :D Thanks for sharing on BeColorful this week.
    p

    Reply
  17. Shannon says

    May 29, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    LOVE the turquoise color! What brand/color paint is it??

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      May 29, 2012 at 4:22 pm

      It’s Hallowed Hush by Behr (Home Depot).

      Reply
  18. Christine says

    June 24, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    Whoah. I tried this, and it was SO easy and it came out SOOOO good! Thank you for posting. My husband was amazed at the final product, commenting that it looked “Way beyond my skill level”. I think that was a compliment…?
    :)

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      June 24, 2012 at 8:29 pm

      Lol…husbands have a way of making complements sounds suspicious. I’m glad it turned out well and your welcome!

      Reply
  19. Jennifer Sample says

    August 6, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    Okay, here is my take on the Dirty Cowboy treatment!

    http://nopoquirkymomma.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-bedside-table-re-do.html

    Reply
  20. FlyingMonkey says

    August 12, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    I just redid my master bedroom and used this treatment on almost everything! I did a pale green on an antique door for the headboard and an old 6 pane window for use as a picture frame, and cream on some shelves, a bench and the dresser. This technique really ties them together without them having to be all matchy-matchy.

    Reply
  21. Shannon says

    February 4, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Do you think you could use the technique on metal?

    Reply
  22. Cynthia @ her lovely nest says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    ha this is hysterical! I love using the drybrush technique [actually just used it in my painted summer series] but never knew it came with this awesome name :-)
    thanks for sharing this wonderful project

    Reply
  23. Kinzie says

    January 19, 2014 at 11:24 pm

    What type of polycrylic finish did you use? satin?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      January 20, 2014 at 12:19 am

      I wrote this post so long ago that I don’t remember…but what’s in my paint closet now is gloss and I’m pretty sure that’s what I’ve always used. The gloss isn’t actually that shiny though, it looks more like a satin finish (to me).

      Reply
      • Ashley says

        January 20, 2014 at 11:15 am

        Never mind, it was satin. I just stumbled upon and old photo and could read the can. The gloss still isn’t that glossy though :)

        Reply
  24. Katelyn says

    April 1, 2014 at 10:47 am

    Do you use a dry rag or a wet rag when wiping the stain??

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      April 1, 2014 at 11:47 am

      I use a dry rag, it smudges the stain just enough without removing it. You could also just do the brush technique without smudging (I did that on this table) or just use a rag dipped in stain without the brush (like I did here). Just giving you some options :)

      Reply
  25. Diane says

    January 17, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    going to try this on a sign

    Reply
  26. Cheyenne says

    April 28, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Hi there,

    one questions- I’m super new to the whole DIY thing. Is the stain a colour that you picked or do you just go to a paint place and ask for a generic stain?

    Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      April 28, 2015 at 11:10 pm

      There are a limited number of stain colors from each brand, and they are all pre-mixed (unlike paint). You just pick one off the shelf! The one I use most frequently is “provincial” by Minwax.

      Reply
  27. Juliana says

    June 16, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    I love the way this looks! When I put the stain on it isn’t even close to that dark And when I wipe the stain off my project I wipe it all off. I’m using the same brand of stain you are in an interview ebony. Help please!! :)

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      June 19, 2015 at 10:17 am

      What kind of paint are you cowboy-ing over? If you used a glossy paint that is likely that all the stain will all wipe off, and if you use flat then not much if it will wipe off at all. I usually use eggshell/satin. Also, recently I have been doing the dirty cowboy a little differently. I get stain on a crappy brush, get almost all of it off on a towel (it basically needs to be dry), then brush really quickly and lightly over the furniture and don’t wipe it at all. This looks great too and is super fast and easy.

      Reply
  28. Robin Martin says

    August 18, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Loving the cabinet in the background as well as the project!!!

    Reply
  29. Allyse says

    October 5, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    Have you ever used artist acrylics for this technique? I’ve never done it was stain, but I usually get the big tubes a cheap acrylic at the craft store when it goes on sale for about three dollars a tube. I originally started mixing it with glaze to do a faux antiquing but then started doing the Drybrush technique for what you call the Dirty Cowboy. It dries pretty quickly and then I poly over that. And I absolutely LOVE having a use for those beat up gnarly paintbrushes! Love your site :-)

    Reply
  30. Linda Holley says

    January 19, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    I’m doing my basement in an old saloon style, I need to tone down the white walls, would this work on the walls, the walls are painted wood, not plaster or sheetrock.

    Reply
  31. Julie Maisel says

    January 26, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Would this process work if I used paint rather than a stain to distress the piece?

    Reply
  32. Mary barber says

    March 29, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    You a girll after my own heart

    Reply
  33. Mary barber says

    March 29, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    You are a girl after my own heart

    Reply
  34. Melanie Noack says

    August 9, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    Do you use a dry cloth to wipe the stain off?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      August 9, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      Yes, you can wipe it off with a dry cloth or choose not to wipe it off at all.

      Reply
  35. Donna Anderson says

    August 22, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    I know this is an old post, but any idea which paint and color was used?
    Love it, exact color I am going for in a bathroom redo. Would like to do this to the vanity.

    Reply
  36. Colleen says

    January 23, 2018 at 12:04 am

    Good work i think im gonna give this darn dresser of mine that good old cowboy treatment thanks.

    Reply
  37. Christi says

    February 6, 2018 at 10:52 pm

    What happens if you use satin enamel paint? Would it still work and would you have to seal it? TIA

    Reply
  38. Ashley says

    February 9, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    Love this technique! I’m using it on my stairs!!

    Reply
  39. Lynn says

    April 10, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    I am thinking of doing this technique for a hutch and uding Sloan’s chalk paint for the base color. You mention not using latex paint and said you used eggshell… I thought eggshell was a color so I’m a bit confused. Just wanting clarification before I begin. Thanks, I love this look!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      April 11, 2018 at 10:44 pm

      The sheen of my paint was eggshell, which is basically just satin. If you are using chalk paint I would practice on a test board first. It will work just fine, but chalk paint is so matte and “thirsty” that it might be a little unforgiving until you figure out just the right pressure, speed, and amount of stain to use.

      Reply
  40. Tina says

    February 21, 2019 at 11:01 am

    Love the table! Now I want to start working on all my furniture. Lol!

    Reply
  41. Carolyn says

    May 18, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    Loved your “distructions” just painted an antique mirror so now I’m going to try your method on it. Also going to sand and paint my bathroom cabinets same way. Wish me luck, hope I don’t regret it. Thanks

    Reply
  42. Ruth Roy says

    December 3, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    Ashley, how many coats of poly did you use? I’ve just started to poly my cabinet doors, and I wasn’t sure if I should do a second coat once they’re set.

    Your blog gave me the courage to paint my kitchen cabinets AND give them the dirty cowboy treatment, even with the naysayers telling me I shouldn’t do it. I’m loving it so far, and my husband is blown away. Thank you!

    Reply
  43. Lo’le Lugo says

    February 17, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    I’m gonna try this ty

    Reply
  44. Julie says

    May 25, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    Can this process be used on cabinets as well?

    Reply
  45. Julie says

    May 25, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    Sorry! I mistyped my email. Will this work on cabinets?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. One More Time! « Art, Thou Crafty says:
    November 25, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    […] it to look more country than the last bookshelf, I used the “dirty cowboy” technique from Domestic Imperfection. It’s hard to see the difference it made in my pictures, but it’s noticeable in person. It’s […]

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  2. 10 Ideas for Your Old Shutters | Golden West Shutters says:
    July 23, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    […] try distressing the paint. One way to do this is to use wood stain and an old, frayed paintbrush. Domestic Imperfections has a great post on how to distress paint with her Dirty Cowboy […]

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  3. Sandstone Blog says:
    August 5, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    Go Cowboys 100 Acrylic

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