Denim Finish Faux Painting Technique

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Learn how to easily create the look of denim with this easy faux painting technique using two different colors of Chalky Finish paint and wax.I love how denim is making a resurgence in home decor.

In my opinion, it’s a classic — whether you’re dressing yourself or your home.

Denim goes with anything, and it can be dressy or casual, depending on what you pair with it. But it’s always comfortable; it just feels like home.

(That’s really true where I live: my town is home to a company that was once the world’s leading producer of denim.)

I decided to give the denim treatment to a battered old mirror, using two new colors from DecoArt’s Americana Decor Chalky Finish line.

The mirror, a $5 yard sale find, is truly a trash-to-treasure transformation. I’ve been pricing similar mirrors in catalogs and stores, and they can cost hundreds of dollars.

For that kind of savings, I don’t mind painting and sweating (a lot!) in my garage on a 95-degree summer day.

Supplies

DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Honor
DecoArtAmericana Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Artifact
Painter’s tape
paintbrush
sanding block
sandpaper
lint free rag or old T-shirt
DecoArt Americana Decor Clear Creme Wax
DecoArt Americana Decor Deep Brown Creme Wax

My yard sale mirror had an existing black paint finish that was pretty much intact. So I didn’t have to sand it or add any wood filler. The only prep work I did before starting my faux painting technique was to clean the mirror well with TSP to remove the layers of dirt, grease, grime and cobwebs. (Ick!)

Next, I taped off the mirror with painter’s tape and applied two coats of the navy blue Honor Chalky Finish. I just love this new deep navy color. I would love to paint a chest this color.

Once the blue paint was dried, I applied a light, thin coat of Chalky Finish in Artifact and wiped most of it away using a damp cloth.

As I mentioned earlier, it was a hot day, so I didn’t let the gray paint sit for long before beginning the wet distressing.

Even so, the Chalky Finish dried quicky in the heat of my garage, so I also used a fine sanding block and sandpaper to remove all but a light wash of the gray paint away.

Once I finished sanding, I used the wet cloth to wipe away the dust, Then I took a lunch break to let the finish dry and cool myself down in the air conditioning.

To add a touch of patina to the denim faux painting technique, I used a lint-free rag to rub on a layer of clear Creme Wax, followed by a light layer of Deep Brown Creme Wax. Once the wax dried and hardened, I used a clean, lint-free cloth to buff it to a shine.