Get the Chippy Paint look using Debi’S Design Diary DIY Paint and a surprising little tool.

Chippy Paint Look Using Cece Cadlwells paints Redouxinteriors

I am in the process of switching from a PC to my MacBook.  In that process, somehow all my before and during pictures disappeared.  SIGH.  Cest la vis. Use your imagination.  Plain brown table, good bones, needs some love.  I wanted to make a fun statement on a little piece.  And, I wanted control the chip factor!

Chippy Table top CeCe Caldwells Custom Mix Redouxinteriors

To achieve the perfect chippy look, go no further than the canning section of your grocery store.  That’s right. You need canning wax, which is about as cheap of a tool you will ever get.  It is sold in big blocks, and for a chippy project, you will use only a small amount.  (This is often sold under “Gulf Wax”)

Before painting your piece, rub the wax wherever you want some “chipping” to occur.  I rubbed the edges, and then in random patterns.  To get big chunks of chipping, use a knife or an object to scrape the wax into a pile, then “smoosh” (this is a technique) the wax onto your piece. When you have  sufficiently waxed your piece.  Time to paint.

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I have almost every color in their color palette, but just like that favorite pair of jeans you reach for time and again, I reach for many of the same colors.  You could mix one part Summer Crush with one part Petticoat Pink to get this look:

petticoat-pink_Debis DIY Paint

Paint your piece entirely and let dry completely. (DO NOT PUT IT IN THE SUN TO DRY.  I DID THIS ONCE WHILE USING THE WAX CHIPPY METHOD AND THE WAX MELTED UNDER THE PAINT.  NO BUENO).

When your paint is dry, use a scraper and start scraping wherever there are bumps in the paint, or just run it along your piece with a little force.  The paint will come up where the wax was.  Continue to do this until you have achieved the look you desire.

I sanded my piece with a 320 grit to smooth the paint and achieve a really soft touch.  I used 220 grit to further distress in areas where I thought needed more wearing. I waxed the entire piece with DIY Paint’s 100% Natural Clear Wax .  Waited a few hours, then buffed to glass like shine.

Chippy Table Cece Caldwells custom mix redouxinteriors

I can’t believe how versatile DIY paints are.  You can achieve so many different looks, with just one can (even an 8 oz sample goes so far)  of DIY Paints 100% natural Clay Based paints. They are the only company that has this true Clay base.  It makes the paint so velvetty smooth and a complete pleasure to paint with.   From sophisticated modern to seriously worn and chippy.

I plan to have a  video soon on the chippy finish, so stay tuned!

23 Comments

  1. Inspire Me Heather

    What a beautiful table! I want to try out that technique with the canning wax too, love that chippy look!!

    Reply
  2. Paula O'Meara

    You are an artistic genius! I not only LOVE the technique (the fact you are willing to share it) but the color is amazing! I found this quote and immediately thought of you and how well you speak “that language”.

    There are infinite shadings of light and shadows and colors… it’s an extraordinarily subtle language. Figuring out how to speak that language is a lifetime job.

    Conrad Hall

    Reply
  3. Kim@reposhture.blogspot.com

    You did a great job on this Miss Berg =-) and continue to show us how much of a smarty you are! Canning Wax…now that is thinking outside the preserves…
    <3, Kim

    Reply
  4. Shelly Andrade

    Love your little table, turned out great Karen!!

    Reply
  5. Shaun Roney

    What a beauty! I especially love the shade. Perfect hue to add together with all that chippiness. Love it!

    Reply
  6. Darrielle Tennenbaum

    Love it–thanks for sharing! I use an old candle to get chippy and to make distressing edges easier. Have a good day!

    Reply
  7. CeCe Caldwell

    Great finish, and love that soft coral. A similar color could be achieved with one of our whites, a drop or two of the orange and a drop or so of Traverse City Cherry, for those that can’t find Portland.

    Reply
  8. cassie

    great tip- i love the chippy look! i have seen similar pieces done with vaseline but have yet to try!

    Reply
  9. Elsie R

    You are so inspiring and TALENTED, Karen! Love this. I’m sharing on my 2 Chicks and Some Paint page. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Claudine

    Love it, Karen!!! I never thought if mixing these two colours!!!! I love Portland Rose and still have it! Yaaayyyy!
    Will add to my list of projects!!!! Thank you!!! Xoxoxo

    Reply
  11. Susan

    This is so awesome, Karen! I have the perfect piece to try this technique on.

    Reply
  12. JP

    Getting ready to re-do our coffee table….I think this is the way I’ll go! Thanks for posting!
    JP your new follower 😉

    Reply
  13. Nancherrow

    Love it! Why does chippy furniture have so much more charm and character than non-chippy? Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

    Reply
  14. Sharon

    Love it! I was sure you were going to say Vaseline… the wax is a new to me tip. I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  15. Trina @ afewmineradjustments

    That table is adorable! I love it all chippy. I think I need to try one of these projects.

    Thanks for linking up to our Twirl and Take a Bow Party! Hope to see you again next week!

    Reply
  16. Beth

    Could you use the same wax you use as a top coat?

    Reply
  17. Patty Soriano

    Canning Wax ? Really ?! Who knew? Well, obviously, you did. Thank you for the hint, Karen. I ADORE little tables and this one is the cutest! Sweet! So, is there something to put on the piece after you paint it so that it won’t continue chipping off ?

    Reply
  18. BethGay Frerman

    I love this so much!!! I wish I had found you and the blog so much sooner!! But its never too late!!!

    Reply

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