Give any decor or furniture this pretty DIY Weathered Paint Effect with these easy steps and how-to video.
This DIY Weathered Paint Effect is a fun project, guys! And, so much easier than it looks. It’s all about layering the paints and picking colors that look good together. If you’re looking for more paint makeover inspo, you might also like my Classy Blue and Dark Wax Cabinet Makeover or this Shabby Distressed Layered Paint Look.
I’ve wanted to give this mirror a quick makeover for months. The black seemed a little too stark in that light colored entry. So, I wanted to tone it down a bit. And, I love that weathered paint effect when I see it in the stores. This was the perfect excuse to give it a try with chalk paint. What do you think? I’m pretty excited about how it looks. It was really easy too.
But before we get started, this project is just 1 of 12 Creative Wall Projects shared by some of my talented blogger friends. You can find a link to all of their awesome DIY Wall projects at the end of this tutorial. OK, let’s start this DIY Weathered Paint Effect with Chalk Paint tutorial.
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. AFFILIATES HELP YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS DELIVER FREE CONTENT. Read the full disclaimer here.
Materials Used
- Fine Grit Sanding Sponge
- Nylon Paint Brush
- Chippy Paint Brush
- Clean Rag
- Paint and Finishes Used (Tip: you don’t have to use these exact brands. You can find any pretty medium blue and greige chalk paint shades that look good together. Or mix up your own DIY chalk paint from latex paint and plaster of Paris.)
- Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Vintage Duck Egg
- Amy Howard Chalk Paint in Selznick Gray and Linen
- Gold Acrylic Paint
- Minwax Paste Finishing Wax, in Natural
Watch this Quick Video to See the Easy Steps
DIY Weathered Paint Effect – Steps
Step One – Start with the base color
Start with 2 layers of your medium greige chalk paint (Selznick Gray), using a good nylon brush. Chalk Paint will stick to almost anything. But, if what you’re painting has some built up dirt or oils, you can clean it first. I’d use Dawn dish soap mixed with water or TSP to clean. Let that dry, then paint.
Step Two – Add lots of layers
Grab your chippy paint brush for the rest of the layering. You can see in the video how to do a very light dry brushing with a chip brush. You just barely touch the brush to the paint and lightly apply it across the mirror. I started with the vintage duck egg because I only wanted hints of the color to show through.
Grab a gold acrylic paint that looks like shiny gold jewelry, not that antique gold. Using your finger or a q-tip put a little on any raised points, in grooves or on details. This is in the video too. 🙂
Then I dry brushed a light cream color, called Linen. Followed up by one last dry brushing of that original paint color, a greige called Selznick Gray. AND again with that Linen color. All of that layering is the key to this look. Just keep adding more to get a look you really love.
After all of that paint dried, I wet a fine grit sanding sponge, squeezed it out, then lightly sanded everything to smooth the finish. I sanded a little harder on the raised details to bring more detail and paint variations in there. Distressing corners and edges always makes faux finishes look better. At least, that’s what I think.
Step Three – Sealing the DIY Weather Paint Effect
Now it’s time to apply a wax sealer. First, wipe the whole thing damp with a slightly damp clean cloth to remove any residue from the sanding. Let dry, then rub on 2 layers of your favorite clear or natural wax. Be sure to follow the directions on the wax for the best results.
If you don’t have wax, you can use a water-based poly to seal the finish instead.
That’s it for this DIY Weathered Paint Effect with Chalk Paint tutorial. BUT, some of my incredibly talented blogger friends have also shared their latest DIY Wall Projects. See all 12 of the Creative Wall Projects here.
Looking for another paint tutorial?? Check out this cool shabby, distressed paint look.
Looking for more paint makeover inspo? Check out How to Patina Paint 20 different Metal Finishes.
Or, try this beautiful Dark Blue and Dark Wax Chalk Paint Makeover.
You can also find this popular Blue Distressed Paint Using Vaseline Tutorial and this easy DIY Stain Wood Furniture without Stripping tutorial, on this blog.
Feeling inspired? Now that you’ve seen this DIY Weathered Paint Effect tutorial, you can do it too. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.
Your mirror makeover turned out really nice! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Thanks so much, Roseann!
GREAT transformation, Stephaine… I may use this technique on an upcoming project! So happy to see you back at TTA!
Thanks! So glad you liked it, Julie. 🙂
Love this. YOu are my favorite pick for Waste not Wednesday this week
Yay! Thanks so much, Deborah. 🙂
I wish I had seen this 2 months ago. I have that exact mirror but I gave it to Goodwill. I will still use this effect on the black T.V. console in my kids’ playroom.
Thank you for linking up w us at Creative Muster! We are pinning this! Many blessings to you. xoxoxo Sharon
That’s crazy. Must have been a popular mirror or we just have the same fantastic taste. 😉 Thanks for pinning!
This turned out great, I love all the layers, and that touch of gold peeking through!
Hi Stephanie!
What a great transformation! I love the mixture of colors you used. I’m not familiar with Selznick Gray, so I’ll check out your link. Like you, I love how the gold-tone and blue color peek through. The mirror looks so pretty hanging on your wall. Thanks for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!
>>> Kim
Thanks so much, Kim. Sometimes a paint experiment turns into something I really love. So glad you like it. 🙂
love the look of chalk paint thanks for sharing your post and broadening my knowledge
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, Angie!
This looks amazing, Stephanie… always like a rustic finish on mirrors! We’ve missed you over at Tuesday Turn About! Hope to see you this week!
Thanks, Julie! I love this look on mirrors too. I’m very happy about how this paint job worked. 🙂