Dollar Store Cutting Board Tutorial – Turn a Plastic Cutting Board into a Faux Antique Wood Board!

In this Dollar Store cutting board tutorial, I will show you how to turn an inexpensive, plastic cutting board into a faux antique wood board.

Using a simple faux wood painting technique, you will be able fool even the most discerning of eyes after following this easy Dollar Store Cutting Board tutorial! (Please note, this cutting board is for display purposes only, you will not want to use for food prep or service).

I love the look of a beautiful, antique cutting board! The shape of these timeless pieces and the aged patina is the perfect addition to any collected or farmhouse style kitchen. Finding these cutting boards, however, can sometimes be tricky; and if not tricky… expensive! In this tutorial, I am going to share with you how I turned an inexpensive, plastic Dollar Tree cutting board into a faux antique wood cutting board, using only paint, decorative glaze, dark wax and about 30 minutes!

When you are are done with this tutorial, you will have a beautiful display piece, ready to display in your kitchen, dining room of bookshelf vignettes!

Materials Needed for this Dollar Store Cutting Board Tutorial.

1. Plastic Cutting Board from the Dollar Tree (yep! Just $1)
2. White Paint – Chalk or a Milk Based paint will work best. I used General Finishes Antique White Milk Based paint, as I had it on hand. However, any brand of chalk paint will work as well! If you do not do a lot of painting, an inexpensive option such as the one found here will work great! As a side note, I like to use an Antique White color, as opposed to a bright white – I think it gives the board an more authentic and aged look.
3. A Dark Decorative Glaze – for this project, I used Rust-oleum’s Java Brown Decorative Glaze
4. An Antiquing Wax – for this project, I used Annie Sloans Dark Wax (again, I had this on hand). However, this less expensive option will work great as well!
5. 3 Paint Brushes – One for the white paint, one for the decorative glaze and one for the dark wax. My favorite brushes are Zibra brushes! These, however, are a great option for the dark wax application.
6. Rags
7. for wiping away the glaze and wax
8. Hairdryer (optional) – if you are slightly impatient like me, this helps to speed up the drying times 🙂

Steps Needed to complete this Dollar Store Cutting Board Tutorial.

STEP 1 – Paint the board white

First, remove the plastic wrap from your Dollar Tree cutting board and apply your first coat of Antique White paint. You will want to apply at least 2 coats, potentially 3, to ensure that the plastic from the cutting board is no longer showing thru. To speed up dry time between coats, use your hairdryer!

STEP 2 – Apply the Decorative Glaze

Once the coats of white paint have fully dried, clean your brush, or use a new brush and apply the first coat of the Java Brown Decorative Glaze. You will want to use long, even strokes that span the length of the cutting board.

When you picture real wood grain, it is all moving in the same, long direction; it is NOT short and sideways.

STEP 3 – Wipe Back the Glaze

Next, once your first layer of glaze has been applied, use a rag to wipe it back. This first coat will provide a nice and even base layer. Again, use your hairdryer (on the cool setting for the glaze) to speed up the dry time between coats.

STEP 4 – Apply a 2nd Coat of Glaze

Then, once the first layer of glaze has almost completely dried, take your brush and apply a second layer of glaze. Let dry until slightly tacky. Once the board has reached this point, wipe off any excess glaze from your brush and next use it to “dry brush” over the existing, tacky glaze. Doing this blends out and adds a realistic texture to the board. Use a light hand here.

STEP 5 – Apply Dark Antiquing Wax

Once the glaze has fully dried, grab your waxing brush and apply an initial layer of the brown antiquing wax.

STEP 6 – Remove Excess Wax

Next, wipe off the initial layer of wax, using a downward and straight motion (again, following the long “wood grain”). The point is not to wipe off the wax, but to remove any excess wax. We want the first layer to settle into the paint brush strokes to create that “wood grain” look.

STEP 7 – Apply 2nd Coat of Wax

Finally, the last step of this Dollar Store cutting board tutorial is to apply a second and final coat of antiquing wax. Make sure to get it into the corners, as well as any nooks and crannies. We want it to look as if this board has been loved for years, mimicking the areas where kitchen oils and build up would naturally occur! Perhaps the handle as well? Think about how a board would naturally age. After you have finished, wipe off any excess wax and let your board fully dry and cure.

STEP 8 – Style and Display!

Now you’re done and it’s time to style your board and stun your guests! After completing this Dollar Store cutting board tutorial, they will never believe it is not real wood!

Did you try this tutorial? If so, I would love to hear about it! Leave message in the comments below!

Looking for other DIY painting tutorials, similar to this Dollar Store Cutting Board Tutorial? Make sure to visit these blog posts for easy DIY paint projects!

Create a Faux Vintage Fireplace Mantel

Chippy Side Table using Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint

Shop this Post

General Finishes Antique White or Less Expensive Chalk Paint

Rust-oleum Decorative Glaze in Java Brown

Antiquing Wax

Rags

Paint Brushes

Wax Brushes

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