how to get the perfect chippy finish.

Published on by Quandie

chippy-finish-titleWhen I posted the farmhouse chippy cabinet on Monday, I mentioned that I ran out of paint and had to request more from Homestead House to complete my project.  When I sent in that request I included a photo of my original chippy mess and explained that I had it nearly under control, but had run out of paint!

When Jennylyn, the president of Homestead House, responded she suggested I try her foolproof method for perfect chipping on my next project and she offered to send me the product she was suggesting I try.  To be fair, she didn’t call it ‘foolproof’, I’m adding that adjective on my own.

salad-bowl-finish

But wait, what?!  Back up a minute.  There is a method?  And it doesn’t involve clicking your heels together 3 times, or crossing your fingers, or knocking on wood?  Sign me up!

Here is what Jennylyn told me to do.  First, prep the piece properly, then apply a very thin layer of Homestead House Salad Bowl Finish (you can also use Miss Mustard Seed 100% beeswax which is the same thing) to the areas you want to chip.  Then paint as usual.

Sounds pretty simple, right?

So I pulled out an old framed mirror that I had salvaged from a dresser to do a little experimenting with this method.  I remembered back to my high school science class and decided I need a ‘control group’ of sorts, so I used my old method on the outer sides of the frame and just sanded them lightly and wiped them with a damp cloth.  On the front of the frame I sanded a little more thoroughly, vacuumed away the dust, and scrubbed it down with a water/vinegar solution.  Then I added a thin layer of the Salad Bowl Finish using a cloth, focusing on the edges and the corners where I wanted chipping.  Next I painted two coats of Homestead House milk paint in Buttermilk Cream.

Once the paint was dry I could clearly see that the ‘control group’ or the sides of the frame were chipping A LOT.  The front of the frame didn’t look terribly chippy at all though.

chippy-1

But then I got out my fine sandpaper and lightly sanded and voila!  There were the chips right where I wanted them to be.  And they were indeed pretty much perfect.

chippy-2

Although the ‘control group’ area was chippy, it was not a controlled chippy.  In fact, the ‘control group’ was a little out of control.

You can also use this method with layers of different colored paints.  For example, paint a base coat of French Enamel blue, add some Salad Bowl Finish, then paint white on top of that.  Then you’ll see color under your chips rather than the wood.

For a little extra bit of fun on this project, I added a row of rub-on phrases all along the frame just under the mirror.

frame-words

They are tiny and you have to pay attention to notice them.  Embrace imperfection, discover yourself, look within, one of a kind, stand boldly.

chippy-mirror

The next time you are thinking it’s too hard to use milk paint and get just the right chippy finish, be fearless and try the Salad Bowl Finish!

be-fearless

39 thoughts on “how to get the perfect chippy finish.”

  1. Wow…the President Of the company responded? How cool is that ? I think you havr missed your calling and should be President, CEO and CFO of a company. Wait… maybe you could start your own blog! Oh…..you’ve already done that. Well, congratulations on your promotion to President, CEO and CFO of Q is for Quandie. ..and keep on chipping…love reading your adventures.

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  2. I have been enjoying your furniture posts. You can use this technique with Miss Mustard Seed’s Beeswax as well. As Homestead House is also the manufacturer for Miss Mustard Seed’s paint, I am not stealing any of their thunder.
    This technique can also be used with Fusion Mineral Paint, applying it where you want distressing or as a technique to layer paint colours.

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    1. Actually, I did mention that in my post (that MMS beeswax is the same stuff and works the same way, 4th paragraph). So no worries about stealing any thunder 😉 I hadn’t thought about using this technique with Fusion paint, I’ll have to try that. I also want to try layering Fusion paint under milk paint, and using some beeswax to get the milk paint to chip. I’ve got a dresser already lined up for that technique, just trying to decide on my color combo. Any recommendations?

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  10. So, did you add bonding agent to the milk paint to prevent the massive unplanned chippiness? Thanks for sharing this very helpful tip!

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  14. Just a question on your method? Do you rub in the beeswax? Or just apply it and then paint over it?
    Thanks looks great can’t wait to try it.

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    1. I just apply it lightly and then paint over it. And I use just a very thin coat, and only where I want chipping. In other words, I usually only apply along the edges of pieces and around handles and such … spots that would normally be more worn.

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    1. Thanks Kathy. The small rub-on phrases that I used on this mirror are from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology line. Here in the U.S. I have found them at Michaels and Hobby Lobby (although last time I was at Hobby Lobby I couldn’t find them). I think most of the ones I used on this mirror are from the Word Remnant Rubs (here on Amazon).

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