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Dry Brush Technique on a Wood Pallet Sign

Learn how to use a dry brushing technique with a simple stencil to create this wood pallet art!

When we bought our home 1 year ago I decorated my kids bathroom in silly kid colors…..you know, with the hippopotamus, giraffe, monkeys, animals. Not really thinking of my home decor style, I made impulse buys at Walmart (I blame it on my infant who did not sleep at all!) with the animal toothbrush holders, bath towels, and bath rug.

So here we are a year later and I’m over it. I wanted to create more of that modern farmhouse feel. That’s when I decided I would create an inexpensive wood pallet sign with a dry brush technique to help decorate this bathroom.

A quick before pic;

I purchased the wood PALLET frame at Hobby Lobby.

This is what the wall sign looked like below.

10%22 x 18%22 Natural Slatted Wood Pallet Sign with Jute Rope | Hobby Lobby | 80665516

Has anyone ever dry brushed anything or used this technique before?

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For those of you who don’t know, “DRY BRUSHING” is when you take a dry brush (preferably a chip brush), dip just the tip in the paint, “off load the paint” which means to dab it on a paper towel or something to remove the “excess” and lightly paint over the piece you are working on with either long brush strokes or quick brush strokes.

Ready to learn how?

I love to use a dry brush technique because it really gives the wood an aged and weathered look.

As far as what colors to use, the sky is the limit! When dry brushing furniture, most folks use a lighter hue than the base color of what they are painting. White paint is a popular choice. You can see I’m dry brushing a light wood pallet, so I’m using white as a base, then adding dark wax over it to create a more weathered look.

How to Dry Brush Furniture for the Best Results

Dry brush painting is a simple technique that adds texture and dimension to your furniture. It’s especially popular for creating a beachy look or a weathered, coastal vibe.

What You’ll Need:

Your chosen paint colors (chalk paint works best!)
A clean, paint brush (preferably a flat or angled brush)
Lint-free cloth
Drop cloth or old newspaper
paper plate to apply a little paint and wax

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Prep Your Piece

Clean the entire piece thoroughly.
Lightly sand if needed for a smooth finish.
Use a lint free cloth to make sure the piece is free of dust

2. Base Coat of paint

Paint your furniture with a base color. This isn’t always necessary if the piece has been previously painted.
Let it dry completely. I used a generic white paint as the base coat.

3. Dry Brush Technique

Next step, dip your brush into a little bit of your accent color. In my case I’m using a dark wax to achieve this.
Wipe off most of the excess paint or wax on a paper towel. The brush should be almost dry but not completely.
Lightly drag the brush across the surface, focusing on raised details and edges.
Work in light layers—you can always add more!

4. Finishing Touches

If you want a smooth finish, lightly sand with a fine-grit sandpaper once dry.
Seal with a clear wax or topcoat for durability. In my case, I used a wax coat to dry brush so I did not need a top coat.

5. Enjoy Your Results!

Step back and admire your finished product

Pro Tips:

Use contrasting paint colors for more depth.
Practice on a scrap piece first to get the hang of using just a little bit of paint.
Chalk paint is ideal because it dries quickly and is easy to sand for a smooth finish.

Ready to try it yourself?

If you feel like you’ve applied too much paint to the wood, then take a damp towel and lightly wipe the area clean.

When I finished dry brushing the pallet wood sign, I used a stencil kit and a chalk marker to add the words “Wash your hands please.”