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Create Your Own Salt Wash Paint

create your own salt wash paint

Step 3: Mix the un-sanded grout with your selected paint color
It does seem strange but what you’re creating is a lumpy thick mixture which will be the base coat of your sign. I started with about a 1/2 cup paint and 1/2 cup of un-sanded grout for each of the colors I was using. Stir together with a stir stick until you get the desired thickness.

create your own salt wash paint

Step 4: Paint your base coat
Apply the paint mixture, using a chip brush, to each board using a cross hatch motion. Do not try to overly smooth as you want the texture and strokes to show when the piece dries.

create your own salt wash paint

Step 5: Allow the base coat to dry thoroughly before moving onto your next step.

create your own salt wash paint

Step 6: Top coat paint
Apply a top coat of paint to each piece. You can use the paint of your choice, flat or chalk paint would be my recommendation, it just needs to contrast to the base coat you applied. For the pictured piece I used a cream base coat of the un-sanded grout mixture, then applied a grey top coat.

create your own salt wash paint

Step 7: Sand your sign to reveal the sea worthy look!
After your top coat of paint has dried then you can sand each board to achieve the salt washed look! This is the fun part and you can you a rotary or mouse saner or a heavy grit sand paper to work on each piece until it looks just the way you’d like.

create your own salt wash paint

Step 8: Assemble your sign base
Cut 2 strips of wood to fit the length of your sign. I used 1×2 firing strips.
Flip over you boards in the order you’d like them to be on your completed sign and drill a screw into each board, top and bottom to secure each piece.

create your own salt wash paint

Step 9: Add the metal embellishment to your sign.
While I used a metal word I found at Hobby Lobby, there are lots of possibilities for how you can embellish your sign. I recently picked up some 3D wood cut out words that would work great for this or you could event add some metal bulldog clips to make yours hold photos or prints.
My metal piece had 2 d-rings on the back which made it super easy to hang onto the front of my sign. If your selected item doesn’t, I’d recommend e6000 for permanent adhesive.

create your own salt wash paint

Enjoy your one of a kind piece!
If you try out this technique to make your own sign or paint furniture I’d love to see it! Email me at [email protected]

create your own salt wash paint

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