The item is described as purposefully  distressed. Do not equate this with an antiqued, rubbed finish. The paint chips are both real and artificially applied, looks like they were sponged on? I ordered the bench which assembles easily with 6 bolts...the look was odd at best looking like it had large random splotches. I was sent a replacement that appears to have iffy looking welds and this one has the addition of faux rust that really looks like glue...might look ok at a distance as a plant stand...not really anything you would want anyone to take a close look at as the distressing just looks like odd manufacturing flaws.