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DIY Chippy Vintage Sled

I really enjoy traditional Christmas decorating. If you do as well, then I think you’ll love this DIY chippy vintage sled.

DIY Chippy Vintage Sled #saltwash #chalkpaint #crafts #christmas

See that wonderful texture and chippy paint? Um, that isn’t old. I created it with paint and Saltwash Powder. I’m going to show you how you can recreate this look at home.

This post is sponsored by Saltwash. I’m a brand ambassador for the product, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I’ve also included a few affiliate links in this post. You can read my full disclosure policy here, if you purchase via a link I may receive a portion of the sale.

A little Saltwash goes a long way and you can create this look with a small splash can. You can click on the side bar or here to get a special offer.

Create lovely texture with Saltwash on an old sled for Christmas decorating

Okay, this is actually an old sled. You could probably make your own with some slats of wood if you don’t have an old sled.

I never really liked the paint job on this sled, though.

Sled - Before

It looks like stencil project gone wrong. I definitely don’t think that was original.

How the sled looked before.

I LOVED how chippy it was. I got out some Chalk Paint and some Saltwash and got to work.

This is a really easy project and perfect if it’s your first time using paint or the powder.

What you need to create this DIY Chippy Vintage Sled.

If you don’t already know, Saltwash is a paint additive, that contains real sea salt. When layered with paint it gives a sun and salt air soaked look. This look is perfect for our coastal home!

I decided I wanted a dark color under the red so I used Graphite Chalk Paint. It’s a soft black that wouldn’t take away from the traditional colors. If you want a bolder look you could add a bright blue or another color underneath. Two different reds would also be nice.

Adding Saltwash to Graphite Chalk Paint.

How to properly mix Saltwash powder into paint.

To start with I mix the Saltwash into the paint that I’m using as my base layer. This thickens the paint. You want the paint to have a frosting or cake batter constancy.

Then I take my brush and stipple it on top. I like using a chip brush.

Applying Saltwash / Paint mixture to vintage sled.

They are cheap and cheerful and I just wash them out so I can use them again and again for Saltwash projects.

How to add a textured paint finish for a vintage look.

I covered all the areas with the stencil but I left some of the bare wood visible as I wanted to keep that chippy look.

It’s important to knock any really high peeks down while paint is drying. I left this to dry overnight but you can use a hairdryer to speed up the process. If you want to see a video on application, you can see one here.

Lovely Primer Red Chalk Paint is the top coat.

The second coat of paint was Primer Red. This Chalk Paint and it has a vintage feel to it. I thought the Emperor’s Silk would just look too bright on our front steps. Primer Red was almost an exact match to the existing red on the sled.

I applied this paint with a Purdy Brush.

Once the paint is dry, I took some sandpaper and distressed.

Distressing tips when using Saltwash

You could also use a palm sander but I just sanded by hand. When sanding, it’s important to be haphazard and sand randomly. Sand a lot in some areas and not as much in other areas.

Tips for realistic distressing

I cleaned all the sanding dust off and it was ready to go outside!

It’s recommended to leave Chalk Paint uncoated for exterior use. If you wax it, moisture can get under the wax and crack the finish, but with something like this I think it will look even better being distressed by nature.

I talked to my friend Nancy, who owns the Sea Rose Cottage, where I buy my Chalk Paint, and she recommends Hemp Oil to add a little sheen.

Here you can see the wonderful textured Saltwash helped create.

DIY texture with Saltwash Powder and Chalk Paint

Our home with the vintage sled for Christmas

It looks pretty as is…

Christmas in New England

BUT I thought some Christmas greenery would make it look more festive.

Adding some fresh greenery to the DIY Vintage Chippy Sled.

Just what it needed!

I was going to make a swag, but saw this pretty one at Shaw’s while I was grocery shopping.

Pretty sled with Saltwash texture

How to create this look with Saltwash and paint

This was an easy application, but I hope you enjoyed it.

A seaside New England home with a vintage chippy sled.

If you’d like to see more of my Saltwash tutorials you can here. I made lovely cake stands a few weeks ago that are perfect for Christmas.

Painted Furniture Techniques eBook by Danielle Driscoll

My ebook on painted furniture techniques also makes a wonderful gift for yourself. Get 10% off with the promo code: flippinfurniture

 

 

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Diane
Diane
5 years ago

Thanks for the tutorial, Danielle. Now I have to find a sled!

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

That sled has a really nice shape, and I love the new paint. That stencil just wasn’t working on that old piece! Lol
Merry Christmas
Pat

Cynthia
Cynthia
5 years ago

I LOVE this. Need to learn how to do this.

Marlene Stephenson
Marlene Stephenson
5 years ago

Thanks Danielle, it may be after Christmas but, i have a project in mind and i want to use it on a bench. I do love this look.