French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
Chalk paint adheres to furniture beautifully without the use of primer and (usually) no sanding . A quick cleaning is typically all you need .
This will retain the color of your painted piece while providing protection from the elements. Dip your wax brush lightly into the clear wax . Use brush strokes to rub the wax into the furniture . Wipe your lint-free cloth over the wax to smooth out any buildup. Allow time to dry. Apply a second coat of clear wax .
24 hours
Wax is absolutely worth applying to chalk paint , especially if you want to protect your furniture and keep it looking good for longer. If you have any other queries, take a look at our article all about painting furniture for beginners.
To use chalk paint with a roller : Pour the chalk paint into a paint pan, then load it onto a high-density foam roller (depending on the size of the furniture, a four-inch mini roller may be the best option).
Usually, no. You can use chalk paint to paint right over bare wood or existing finishes. There are some instances, however, when I use primer and/or sand before painting , so you really have to look at each piece individually. I’ve noticed my paint seems to be easily scratched off and isn’t fully adhering to the piece.
Start with a clear coat, even if you later want to apply dark wax . If dark wax is used first, it will soak into the chalk paint and the pigments will be harder to lift off. A clear wax barrier solves this problem and allows for a more customizable application of the dark wax .
Apply at least two coats of paint, and then two or three coats of Chalk Paint® Wax or Chalk Paint® Lacquer to seal and protect them. Remember to always test your cabinets first with both paint and lacquer.
Bare or No Topcoat Leaving your chalk – painted surface bare, or with no topcoat, is the simplest treatment with the least alteration to the finish. However, adding no protection means your piece is vulnerable to the elements, wear and tear, and natural distressing.
Why does my Chalk Paint Look Streaky Chalk paint can sometimes look blotchy or streaky when it dries. There are a few reasons why this might happen. If your chalk paint is too dry, it is harder to apply smoothly. You can add a bit of water and stir it in to make the chalk paint easier to apply.
How many coats do I need? If you are painting something white or off white over a dark piece, you will probably need three coats for solid coverage. But because the paint dries really quickly, you don’t have a long wait in between coats . If you want your piece more distressed, you may be happy after only two coats .
Rather than apply with a rag, you brush the cream wax on. It’s a thick, milky liquid that quickly dries, and then you buff it (just like with the paste wax) to work it into the painted furniture and bring out that delightful sheen . Cream wax is also easy to use and a little goes a long way.
Of course I started out using wax to seal Chalk Paint because that is how I was told to do it. Some waxes to try: Dixie Belle Wax . Americana Decor Creme Wax . FolkArt Home Decor Wax . Annie Sloan Wax . Miss Mustard Seed’s Wax . Briwax.
Before painting over the chalk paint , the wax MUST be removed. Wax acts a resist, and just about any paint you put over wax (with one exception–which I’ll tell you about later) will not adhere well. The new paint may stick initially, but long term it will have poor adhesion and may come off with the slightest scratch.