How to get a chippy finish on old doors.

Stuff just shows up!  When you have a building with CONSIGNMENT on the side of it, stuff just shows up!  I have been very lucky lately because a sweet couple has been bringing me architectural pieces from homes that are scheduled for demolition, most noteably doors and mantles.  I am simply in LOVE with 5 and 6 panel doors.  Folks, they just don’t make ’em like this anymore.  If these pieces could speak, just imagine the stories, the history!  But they do speak…through patina!  Have you every wondered how to get a chippy finish on an old door?

Here are a few that have recently arrived:

Can you see those beautiful colors peeking out from beneath the top layer of paint???  I become obsessed when I see these colors.  The world stops revolving and I must reveal the patina!  REVEAL THE PATINA!  REVEAL THE PATINA!   The chanting is incessant until I get it done.

Here is the teaser picture:

And this is what was lurking beneath:

How do you REVEAL THE PATINA???  Well, I sort of stumbled upon and today I will share my secret.

Of course, the first thing you do when you see chippy paint is…pick at it!  It’s like bubble wrap!  Can’t stop yourself.  But after ten minutes, it gets old and laborious and tedious.  So the next logical method is to use a scraper.  This is a little quicker but still quite tedious and still laborious.  Which leads me to my preferred method:  Power Washer!  Eureka!  Jackpot!  Definitely the way to go!  Check it out:

It’s fast! It removes the debris and loose paint quickly and painlessly!  Dress appropriately with safety glasses, boots and preferably long pants and long sleeves.  Not only does proper dress and gear protect you from spiraling paint chips and water, it also makes clean up easier.  Trust me, it’s difficult to get wet paint chips off of your body!

Always test your paint for lead.  Homes built before 1978 often contain lead based paint!  3M has a wonderful test kit.  I got a sample at The Haven Conference several years ago.  It was super easy to use.  Here is my affiliate link: 

You can control how much or how little chippy paint remains.  Linger on a spot to remove more paint.  Do a quick pass for a less chippy look.

I recommend sealing the door after you’ve achieved your desired patina.  That ensures that you won’t have further flaking and you patina remains intact.

I have my eye on a nice and powerful Ryobi pressure washer!  In the meantime I borrow my daughter’s.  It’s their smallest model.  It is very effective for these small tasks and is super affordable at Home Depot for under $130.  Here is my affiliate link if you would like to shop:

I’ve done a few mantles as well.  The best candidates are the old old mantles with layers of paint.

Here are my favorites from the last few months:

And just because it was in the vicinity when I was working on the mantles and doors, this chair now has a chippy new look as well!

And just because…here are more of my custom doors:

This is one of my favs…that aqua!

This last one might just be my favorite!  

We always have a great supply of doors at The Blue Building!  Stop by and check them out! 

OTHER CHIPPY POSTS: