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This Easy Pickling Paint Finish eliminates a lot of the steps from the traditional pickling finish...and looks just as beautiful (well, in my opinion, I suppose). I'm sharing below how I made over this 1990s garage sale find into a lovely little craft table using a pickling paint.

Not only am I sharing all of the ins and outs of this pickling paint, but today is also Thrifty Style Team day. Our group of thrifters is really rockin' and rollin' on the vintage fun! All of their goodies are linked at the bottom of this post.

Easy Pickling Paint Finish

This past weekend, the 12-year old wakes us up announcing that he can see a garage sale in the cul-de-sac across from our house. I equipped him with one of our phones and had him text me photos of all the things (all of 'em). This is about the time he deeply regretted announcing this garage sale he spied. Meanwhile, I shopped in the comfort of my pajamas and bought myself a good 'ol 1990s-style table. 

Who didn't have a table like the above? I sure did. It was the first table I bought for my college apartment. It was skinnier than this new one...and it came from a back-alley store with legitimate velvet Elvis art errrrry'where. But when you're 20 and buying your first piece of furniture, you go to the sketchy places that your budget affords you.

What is Pickling?

Pickling (sometimes referred to as liming) is basically using a white wash to make wood look like driftwood. In the past, I've always mixed up my own pickling with primer, paint, water, and then poly. But, I had been just waiting for a chance to use my new Pickling Paint I've had for a couple of months. 

How to Use Pickling Paint

Supplies:

• I loved working with this premade Pickling Wash from Folk Art, however, it can be hard to come by (do check Walmart craft areas, though). I've listed out some alternatives that work similarly:
• I did find that the Deco Art Vintage Effects is pretty much the exact same thing as the Pickling Wash from Folk Art. You can grab it here on Amazon. 
• If you'd rather have a darker finish, but something more rustic than a traditional stain, a good Danish oil works for that (but it's not an actual pickling finish, just another interesting alternative).
• sand paper (a variety of grits is the best to have on hand for this)
• optional: sander (it makes quick work of it!)
• Grab the updated version of the Black and Decker Sander I own here on Amazon.
• paint brush (I used a 1.5 inch)

Directions:

• I started by sanding the top of the table like crazy. It had that classic 1990s yellow-orange wood stain with a thick coat of glossy polyurethane on top. It took me a good hour or so to sand all that mess off. 
• I started with a really coarse grit paper and worked my way down to a finer grit. 
• I only wanted the pickling paint finish on the top of the table, so I didn't sand the legs.
• Next, it was time to paint with the pickling paint. I went with a more traditional pickling look using a white pickle finish for the tabletop.

• It was really easy to work with. You brush it on, let it sit for 30 seconds and then wipe it off a bit. 
• Then repeat with a second layer. 
• You can seal it, if you like, but I like pieces like this to age naturally on their own with this kind of finish.
• Keep in mind, if you seal it, you will want a natural or matte finish. Any kind of gloss will take away from that pickling look.

On the bottom of the table, I started with a light, quick coat of chalk-style paint. I used the Waverly brand in Pool. I purposely did it a bit haphazard...I wanted to end up with a muted and weathered look.

I tried something new with the outer layer. I mixed one part Agave Chalk Style Paint, one part Pool Chalk Style Paint, and two parts Antique Wax. Then I applied this on top of the layer of plain Pool paint with a wax brush. I also used a soft cloth to wipe off the excess.

I really liked the outcome of this experiment.

The combination of the chalky bottom of the table and light pickled top really makes me happy. It's almost French-looking in appearance. 

I really like the softer look of this finish. It's perfect in this space. And I created a little graphic designer humor with my Silhouette and a vintage window to sit over this table. 

A little side by side...taking the 1990s into the present!

Be sure to check out all of my friends' posts below, too! Our monthly Thrifty Style Team series is such a great place for affordable ideas to decorate your home. 

Thrifty Style Team Projects: 

• Tea Cup Cat Food Bowl from Redhead Can Decorate
• Vintage Salt and Pepper "Vases" from Meegan Makes
• Dumpster Dive Barn Doors from Bliss Ranch
• DIY Towel Holder from Chatfield Court
• Restoring Thrift Store Finds from House of Hawthrones
• Thrift Store Tray Makeover from Two Bees
• Faux Pull Down Chart from Honey N' Hydrangea
• Cute to Classy Lamp Makeover from DIY Beautify