Friday, July 25, 2014

How to Create an Authentic, Chippy Paint Finish

Becky, another paint tutorial?  Why another one, haven't you perfected (ha-ha!) your paint technique by now? 

I like to play and paint (and wood) is the medium I most like to play with.  I told you I went shopping the other day for new paint colors, muted, Oregon Coast inspired colors.  I decided to try them out on this bench:
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html

Now, before you wood adorers freak out on me for painting this gorgeous hunk of barnwood, let me say, I KNOW!  
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
Even I have a tough time painting beautiful wood with so much character.  But, I am in business and I need to sell what I create and what sells is paint.  I have made many benches that I have left au natural.  After several weeks of not selling, I slap some paint on them, up the price and BOOM--they sell.  
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
I started by giving the bench a light sanding and then adding some candle wax in just a few spots on the wood.  I really grind some big wax chunks on there.
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
I then painted a lovely, light green color. I am using interior latex in a satin finish.
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
More wax and then a soft, very light, aqua blue (it was getting dark outside at this point, sorry for the less than stellar pictures). I leave some heavy, messy blobs of paint.  This completely stressed my rather neat and methodical husband out.
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
I let this dry well, overnight.  Next came a little more wax and a final, top coat of a misty grey.  
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
When this was almost dry, but not completely I scraped it with a paint scraper.  This takes the paint off where the wax is, but also off from the textured spots of the wood.  The longer you let the paint dry, the less paint you will scrape off, so decide how much of the top color you want to leave.  This is a random, organic process, i.e. the results will be different every time.  
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
After scraping I do a little sanding with a 120 grit sandpaper and then used Minwax Early American stain over all of it.  
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
Look at that chippy loveliness that does NOT look like it was made in a factory in China.  
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
My pet peeve, okay one of them, is fakey looking distressed furniture.
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html
Now, if I only had a beach cottage to go with my bench.
chippy paint finish on reclaimed wood bench http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-create-authentic-chippy-paint.html

9 comments:

  1. Such a simply constructed but lovely bench. Absolutely perfect for a quaint beach cottage, but also ideal for a porch or patio anywhere. I love it. Good job Becky.

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  2. Love your bench-the candle wax works wonders!

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  3. Pretty little bench indeed. A must try technique.

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  4. I love it....how charming. Pinning!

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  5. I always love your painting tutorials.... can I ever achieve it? nope but that's what makes YOUR work so you. :)

    have a great weekend Becky!
    gail

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  6. Always look forward to seeing your posts in my mailbox:) Wondering if you might share some pics of your workspace and maybe some orgainizational tips you have???

    Be blessed,
    Kathy

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  7. I love'd that shared how to get the chippy look! I have many different wood pieces I'm going to try it one. It was sweet of you to stop by and let me know you liked my vintage dish lid towel holders and for featuring it on your Facebook page!

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  8. love your bench and your picture could be in a magazine!!! xoxoox

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  9. I would love a bench like that. Such a great paint treatment too.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!