How To Create a Layered Chippy Paint Finish

Do you have furniture that you wish looked more like a worn vintage masterpiece? Learn how to reinvent any piece by creating a layered chippy paint finish.

faux fireplace mantle with chippy paint finish

We recently created a faux fireplace mantel surround for our bedroom. I wanted to achieve a layered, chippy paint finish and vintage look. What I wasn’t quite sure about, was the technique I wanted to use to get that distressed, chippy appearance. After doing some research, I found bits and pieces from each technique that I could use for my own look.After making adjustments, I finally came up with a process that worked for my needs.

For anyone out there that isn’t familiar with “chippy”, it is a way of layering paint, in order to get a distressed look. The top layers look aged and are literally chipping off the furniture, revealing the paint and wood underneath.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure here.

applying a stain to the faux fireplace mantel surround

Supply List

Dark Stain
Gray Paint ( I used Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint Country Gray)
White Paint ( I used Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint Linen White)
Elmer’s School Glue
Dark wax ( I used Annie Sloan Dark Wax)
Sand Paper

Tools Recommended

Step 1: Apply Stain or Sand Wood, Depending on the age of the Wood

Because I started with new pine wood, I wanted to use a dark stain. Then, when the paint peels away, the dark stain will show underneath. If you are using a piece that is old and has many layers of paint, you will need to sand the piece first, and then wipe off the dust before staining. You can also skip this step, and apply your first coat of paint, followed by the glue application.

Step 2: Apply the Glue

Apply a layer of glue with a paint brush to the areas you want to have a chippy look. I ended up using a foam brush. Covering the area with a thick layer of glue will create a bigger “crackle”. For a more realistic look, I tried to mix it up a bit. I applied thicker layers in some spots, and thinner layers in others. Regular school glue was used here, but you can use wood glue as well.

Step 3: First Coat of Paint

For the first coat of paint, I used a dark gray colored paint to cover the dark stain and the layer of glue. This was so there would be another layer shown underneath the white paint layer. Make sure you apply the paint when the glue is still tacky, after a minute or two. As the glue dries under the top coats of paint, the paint will shrink and crack.

paint and glue causing a chippy paint finish

Step 4: Scrape Off the Paint For a Chippy Look

After the glue and paint layers have all dried, use a putty knife to scrape off the paint for the “chippy” appearance. Leave the areas you do not want to look chippy, alone. I felt that I scraped off too much paint. So I added more paint to the areas I wanted to look less distressed.

Step 5: Second Coat of Paint

Add the second coat of paint. I used a white chalk paint.

Step 6: Sand and Wax

If you want a more antiqued look in certain areas, apply some dark wax for a finished coat. Wipe any areas you want to wax, with a wet rag, to help from getting too much wax applied. Use the wax sparingly. Sand any areas that you want to look older.

My mantel looks just as beautiful as the vintage mantels I found all across the country. I’m so happy with how it turned out!

If you are ready to turn your furniture into something that looks old and worn, I hope you will try to create this layered chippy paint finish, like I did here. Let me know how you did!