Priya Kapoor
Creating a chippy paint finish is a great way to give furniture a vintage look. While this distressed finish is typically the result of natural age and wear, it can also be achieved through a variety of techniques. One popular method is to use a crackle glaze, such as Valspar's Weathered Crackle Glaze, which can be applied over a base coat of paint to create a crackled effect. Another approach involves layering glue and paint, allowing the layers to dry, and then scraping off the paint with a putty knife to create a chippy appearance. This technique can be enhanced by using thicker layers of glue in some spots to create a more pronounced crackle effect. For a more antiqued finish, dark wax can be applied sparingly with a wet rag. Valspar paint is known for its high-quality coverage and long-lasting durability, making it a popular choice for achieving a variety of finishes, from smooth and professional to intentionally distressed and chippy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Valspar |
| Paint Type | Chalky Paint |
| Finish | Chippy, Crackled, Distressed, Aged |
| Technique | Layering, Crackle Glaze |
| Steps | 2-3 steps depending on desired finish |
| Tools | Putty Knife, Sandpaper, Wet Rag, Foam Brush |
| Application | Smooth coat over stained or painted surface |
| Additional Tips | Use dark wax sparingly for an antiqued look, mix thick and thin layers of glue for a realistic crackle |
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What You'll Learn
Using Valspar Crackle Glaze
Chippy and crackled paint finishes are very popular, especially when the finish comes from natural age and wear. However, if you want to achieve this look artificially, you can use Valspar Crackle Glaze.
To achieve the look of old crackled paint on your furniture and other painted pieces, follow these steps:
- Paint your piece of furniture with a coat of paint.
- Apply a smooth coat of Valspar crackle glaze over it.
- To achieve the crackled paint look, add another layer of paint over the crackle glaze.
- You can also apply a layer of glue with a paintbrush to the areas you want to have a chippy look.
- After the glue and paint layers have dried, use a putty knife to scrape off the paint for a "chippy" appearance.
- Leave the areas you do not want to look chippy alone.
- If you want a more antiqued look in certain areas, apply some dark wax for a finished coat.
Valspar Crackled Paint Glaze is one of the less expensive faux crackle mediums. It is easy to use and can be applied in a 2- or 3-step process. The 2-step process will give you a glossy finish, and the 3-step process will not.
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Layering paint
Step 1: Surface Preparation
Start by preparing the surface of your furniture piece. If the furniture has existing paint or stain, you may need to sand it down to create a smooth base. If there are any cracks or chips, repair them using a filler and then sand the area to ensure a flat surface. Wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris.
Step 2: Choose Your Paint Colours
Select the paint colours you want to use for your project. Consider the desired aesthetic and the number of layers you plan to apply. You can use Valspar's colour-matching service to find the perfect shades or create a unique colour by scanning an item with their technology.
Step 3: Apply the Base Coat
Begin by applying a base coat of paint. If you are using new wood, consider using a dark stain as your base so that when the top layers chip away, the dark colour will show through. Let the base coat dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Add Texture with Glue (Optional)
If you want to create a more pronounced "crackle" effect, you can apply a layer of glue to the areas you want to appear chippy. Use a paintbrush or foam brush to apply the glue, varying the thickness for a more natural look. Regular school glue or wood glue can be used for this step.
Step 5: Apply Subsequent Layers
Continue building up your paint layers, allowing each coat to dry before adding the next. You can use different colours or stick to a single shade, depending on the desired effect. If using Valspar Chalky Paint, keep in mind that you may need to apply multiple coats for full coverage.
Step 6: Distress the Paint
Once all the layers are dry, use a putty knife or a similar tool to scrape off the paint in the areas you want to appear chippy. Be careful not to remove too much paint. If you do, simply touch up those areas with additional paint.
Step 7: Antique Finish (Optional)
If you want to enhance the aged look, apply a small amount of dark wax to the desired areas. First, wipe the areas with a damp rag to prevent the wax from building up too heavily. Then, apply the wax sparingly with a wet rag. Sand any areas that you want to appear even older.
Step 8: Final Touches
Stand back and assess your work. Make any final adjustments to ensure you are happy with the distressed, layered finish. Remember that achieving a chippy look is often about embracing imperfection and creating a unique, vintage appearance.
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Sanding and priming
To achieve a chippy paint finish, you'll need to start by sanding and priming the surface you'll be painting. If the piece you're working on is old and has multiple layers of paint, begin by sanding the entire surface to smooth it out. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
If your piece has damaged plaster, use an appropriate filler to repair the chip, then sand the filler once it's dry to ensure the surface is smooth and flush with the wall. Even if you're not filling in plaster, you'll still need to sand the chipped paint to smooth down rough or peeling edges, creating a clean and clear patch for painting.
Once you've sanded and filled in any necessary areas, give the surface a quick clean with sugar soap and then wipe it down with clean water. This will remove any dirt or grease that could prevent the paint from adhering properly.
After sanding and cleaning, you'll need to prime the surface. Priming will help your paint adhere better and improve its overall durability. If you're painting a bright or dark colour, use a grey primer or undercoat to create a neutral base and reduce the number of coats needed to achieve full saturation. Valspar can tint your undercoat to ensure it aligns with the colour you've chosen for the final coat.
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Using dark wax
To achieve a chippy paint finish, you can use dark wax on Valspar Chalk Paint. The dark wax will tone down the colour and change the look of the paint. There are two ways to apply the dark wax:
First, you can apply a coat of clear wax before applying the dark wax. This will prevent the dark wax from being absorbed too quickly and changing the colour too much. You can apply the wax with a clean rag or a wax brush. It is recommended to invest in a good-quality wax brush to avoid losing bristles while working.
Second, you can apply the dark wax directly to the paint. However, this method will cause the wax to be absorbed very quickly and significantly alter the colour.
After applying the wax, you can use a blow dryer to heat up the surface and create a bubbled effect under the paint for a more rustic look. You can also use tape to create a chipped paint finish. Apply the tape to the surface, press down, and remove. It is important to use a new piece of tape each time, as the adhesive strength will decrease with each use.
It is worth noting that some users have reported issues with Valspar Chalk Paint and wax, including yellowing and cracking. To avoid these issues, it is recommended to properly prepare the surface before painting, such as by sanding and cleaning. Additionally, allowing adequate drying time between coats can help prevent cracking.
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Repairing chipped paint
Next, clean the area with sugar soap and then wipe it down with clean water. This will remove any dirt or grease that could prevent the new paint from adhering properly. Once the wall is dry, you can begin painting. If the repair area is very small, a fine brush can be used. Apply the paint in small amounts, using a feathering technique by working outwards from the middle of the repair with long, light strokes. This will help to blend the new paint with the old for a seamless finish.
If you have leftover paint from when the surface was first painted, use this for an exact colour match. If not, you can take a sample of the colour to a paint store and have it matched. It is important to use the same method of painting as was used previously. So, if a roller was used before, use a roller again for the repair.
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Frequently asked questions
A chippy paint finish is a way of layering paint to create a distressed, vintage look.
To achieve a chippy paint finish with Valspar paint, you can use the Valspar Weathered Crackle Glaze. Apply a coat of the glaze, then add another layer of paint over it. Alternatively, you can use the glue method by applying a layer of glue to the areas you want to have a chippy look, then painting over it.
The Valspar Crackle Glaze is a product that can be used to achieve a crackled paint finish, creating the look of old, worn furniture.
Valspar paint is a water-based paint that mimics the properties of oil-based paint. It is known for its smooth finish and long drying time, allowing for touch-ups without brush marks.
It is recommended to apply at least three coats of Valspar paint, especially if using lighter colours like white. Using a primer can help improve coverage.
