Let’s Dive Into All Things Chippy!

The chippy look is one that Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint does best! Whether you love the chippy look, hate it or have no idea what it is, we have lots of helpful nuggets of information for you.

Without further ado, let’s talk about all things “chippy”!

What is the Chippy Look?

If you’re unfamiliar with the chippy look, it’s probably easiest if we describe it to you using photos. After all, aren’t they worth a thousand words?

Get the idea?

Technically speaking, “chipping” is a random pattern of distressing that occurs when our Milk Paint gently falls away (or chips) from the surface of a piece. This charming feature of Milk Paint creates a very authentically aged finish that we (and many of our users) simply adore!

Because of our simple formulation, our Milk Paint doesn’t have all of the additives of modern pre-mixed paints. Ours is a more primitive style of paint that has its roots in days gone by when it was predominantly used on raw wood. When Milk Paint is applied over a surface with an existing finish (such as a polyurethane, shellac or lacquer), it can resist adhering which results in a charming chippy appearance!

When the Chippy Look Truly Shines

Before we get into the particulars of creating (or encouraging) a chippy finish on your project, you should consider whether the chippy look will look appropriate.

If your project is very old, an antique, has a timeless classic style or is very primitive, a chippy finish would be a perfect compliment.

If your piece is more formal with traditional silhouettes and a super glossy factory finish, then perhaps a more full-coverage paint job would be appropriate.

Ultimately it’s up to you, of course! There aren’t any right or wrong decisions in this department.

How Do You Know if a Piece Will Chip?

Between all of our team members, we have easily painted over 1,000 projects using MMS Milk Paint, so we have a sixth sense about when chipping will occur. You’ll develop one too as you work with MMS Milk Paint more and more.

With that said, where chipping happens, when it happens and to what extent are a bit random and unpredictable when you use Milk Paint. As you work with it over time, you will become accustomed to its behavior patterns.

It’s kind of like driving down an unfamiliar road for the first time. You don’t know where the twists, turns, pot holes or stop signs are so you drive cautiously. After you’ve driven on the same road for a few months, you begin to know it like the back of your hand and feel more comfortable as you travel.

How to Get the Chippy Look over an Existing Finish

Pieces with an existing finish are often the best candidates for a chippy look!

This vintage dresser has seen better days, but the original stain and varnish are still there.

The same goes for these antique pieces. They’re in good shape, but their finishes are a bit tired. They’re not raw wood, but they’re definitely worn!

If you look closer at the chest of drawers shown above, you’ll notice that the drawers are worn, but the right side of the piece is still a bit shiny.

Step 1 - Scuff Sanding

To create the chippy look on a surface like those shown above, use medium grit sandpaper (100-150) and gently scuff sand the surface. Your goal is to be a bit loose with your scuffing. Don’t get every single square inch of the piece and don’t sand it down to raw wood. Remember, we’re trying to get a chippy look!

Depending on how worn your finish is, you may not need to scuff sand at all!

Step 2 - Dust Off and Apply Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint

Once you’re finished scuff sanding, give your piece a quick dusting or vacuuming.

Then, mix up a batch of your chosen color of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint. If you need tips on how to mix, check out this quick tutorial:

You may see chipping occurring after your first coat of MMS Milk Paint or…

…it may not start chipping until after you’ve finished painting.

Sometimes, it may look like no chipping has occurred at all!

Regardless of what your piece look like after you’ve painted it, hang in there and move on to the fun part - distressing!

Step 3 - Distress and Reveal the Chippiness!

Distressing is the process of removing paint intentionally with an abrasive like sandpaper or a scraper like a putty knife. Now distressing is more than just roughing up a piece. It’s about removing paint thoughtfully in a way that looks authentic. Using an orbital sander and making a marks swirl marks where they wouldn’t naturally appear looks forced.

We recommend using a lighter grit of sandpaper (120-220) so you have more control. As you distress, bits of Milk Paint will flake away from the surface, giving you a beautiful chippy finish. You can always use a more aggressive grit if needed.

Start on the high points like ledges, edges and corners…

Then move to more decorative elements like circles, keyholes, carved details, etc.

Here’s a great example of how distressing will add age to your piece and allow bits of Milk Paint to chip away:

The level of chippiness that is produced will vary. Some pieces chip more than others.

Here is a mid-range chippy look:

This Farmhouse White dresser produced a very subtle chippy finish:

Like we mentioned earlier in this post, where Milk Paint chips across the piece, when it chips and to what extent it chips is random and unpredictable. While that can be frustrating at times, it’s the magic sauce that gives a piece such an authentic look!

What Happens if Your Piece Chips Too Much?

Some chippy finishes get a bit out of control and result in big bald patches.

If this happens, simply sand off as much of the chipping paint as possible, and remove it with your vacuum. Paint Bonding Agent directly onto the bald patches and allow it to dry. Mix up a fresh batch of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint and squirt some Bonding Agent into the mix. Then, reapply your Milk Paint and re-distress.

Step 4 - Apply a Topcoat

We recommend using our Tough Coat to seal extra chippy finishes. Tough Coat is our hard-working polyurethane. It has a matte sheen and is perfect for locking in chippy finishes so they won’t continue to chip over time.

You can use any of our wax finishes to seal a more subtle chippy finish.

If the Chippy Look Isn’t For You

If the chippy look isn’t quite your style, then scuff sand your piece very well prior to painting. Add our Bonding Agent to your mixed Milk Paint, which will help it adhere and not chip away.

Or, consider painting a piece that is raw wood. You can learn more about how Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint behaves on raw wood in this post.

Are you ready to create your own chippy finish?

You can use our Retailer Locator Map to find a brick-and-mortar or online MMSMP retailer near you.

Share your projects with us (chippy or not) on social media. We love seeing what you’re creating!