Although almost anything can be painted with chalk paint, including walls, kitchen cabinets, metal, wood, and even fabric, the most popular use is to revitalize old furniture or to make more contemporary pieces appear more antique. There isn’t much of a learning curve or preparation work with chalk paint, which is fantastic. You can jump in without delay.
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5 Things You Must Avoid
1. Overloading your brush
Avoid packing your brush to the brim! This is such an important rule with all painting,’ Annie tells House Beautiful UK. ‘While adding paint is easy, removing it is much more difficult! Oozing, smudging, and general messiness can result from using too much paint. Every time you dip your brush or roller, wipe the excess product off of it by placing the tool on your roller tray or a lint-free cotton cloth.’
2. Painting the top side first
‘Turning a chair upside down and painting the underside first is especially important when painting a chair, according to Annie. ‘It’s a fun way to paint and ensures that no details are missed. Some people think painting chairs is boring, but I love it!’
3. Waiting too long before removing stencils or tape
Instead of waiting for the paint to be completely dry, let the paint dry slightly before removing a stencil. This also holds true for painter’s tape; dry paint may potentially crack when the tape is removed, so it’s best to apply it when the paint is dry enough not to run but still slightly wet,’ she continues.
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4. Following trends
People often ask me “what’s on trend now to paint my kitchen”. It really comes down to what you like,” says Annie. ‘If red isn’t your favorite color but it’s in style, don’t paint your kitchen that color. You have to put up with it!’
5. Overthinking
Have fun and think things through before you do them, she advises, but avoid overthinking to the point of inertia. ‘Chalk Paint&trade can be used to create any effect, from Industrial Rustic to a bone-inlay effect using my Pearlescent Glaze; choose the style you want before you begin and make sure it matches your home and your personality.
How To Chalk Paint Furniture?
1. Preparation
You must still prepare furniture in advance even though there is no requirement for sanding or priming. Drawer handles should be taken off to ensure a smooth finish, and surfaces should be cleaned with a damp cloth to get rid of dirt, grime, and grease. Don’t forget to spread out a dust sheet as well.
Give your furniture a wipe down with Frenchic Sugar Soap if there are any greasy or stubborn stains (you’ll need 1 part sugar soap to 4 parts warm water). To ensure that the paint adheres to the wood, the surface must be clean.
2. Select Your Piece Of Furniture
We strongly advise choosing a small item, such as a side table, as your first purchase. It should also be a piece that doesn’t require any maintenance or repairs. You want this initial experience with chalk paint to be as simple as possible.
3. Choose Your Chalk Paint And Color
According to official statements, only Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is true chalk paint. It is a prestigious brand with a registered name and is arguably the Cadillac of furniture paints. Many additional paints that resemble chalk are available. Amy Howard One Step Paint is a different brand we use and adore. We have even had luck making our own chalk paint recipe.
4. Use The Right Brush
The right paintbrush should be chosen just as carefully as the paint itself. Cheap bristle brushes and sponge brushes typically leave streaks and break. What’s worse is that the brush bristles come loose and permanently dry on your piece of furniture. It is better to spend a little more money on a quality brush. The brush will last for many years if you take care of it and keep it clean.
Success when chalk painting furniture is assured if you are well-organized. Make sure you have everything you need before you begin painting. Again, you should read our post What’s in My Paint Bag.
- 1 quart of Chalk Paint® in the color of your choice. Although this paint costs $39.99, we assure you that it is worth every penny. Our personal favorite colors that we use over and over again are Old White, Pure White, Duck Egg, Paris Grey, Graphite, French Linen, Aubusson, and Napoleonic Blue.
- Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax or MinWax Clear Paste Wax
- Annie Sloan Soft Dark Wax or MinWax Specialty Dark Wax
- Tarp or Painter’s Drop Cloth
- Clean, lint-free rags
- Paint can opener
- Painter’s Tape
- Wooden paint stirrer
- Ziplock baggies
- Cup of water
- Container to hold paint that you are painting with
- Screwdriver to remove hardware
- Paper towel
- Paper plate
5. Choose The Ideal Workspace
Finding the ideal location to paint your piece of furniture can be challenging at times. This is especially valid when the weather is bad. If the weather is too hot or cold, you can’t paint outside like you can with most paints. Sincerity is damned, we’ve discovered that the ideal workspace is a controlled-temperature environment inside the house. Pay close attention to safeguarding the flooring and avoid splattering paint.
6. Time To Chalk Paint
- Take a deep breath
- Make sure to thoroughly mix and stir your paint can, paying special attention to the bottom of the can.
- Dip your paintbrush in some fresh water. With a clean rag, pat the surface dry.
- 1 teaspoon of water and ½ cup of paint should be added to a leak-proof container. Make sure to thoroughly stir the original paint can before capping it off to prevent drying.
- Paint the brush by dipping it in it. Start off lightly. If you’re feeling particularly uneasy, you can start in a discrete location, such as the side.
- With any strokes you choose, you can’t go wrong. Along the wood’s grain, apply paint. Do not panic if the first coat appears streaky; just keep that in mind. It is best to focus on a small area at a time. Painting one leg at a time, finishing one side before beginning the other, etc. are a few examples.
- Wrap your wet paintbrush bristles in a ziplock baggie after the first coat to prevent drying out.
7. Wait For The Paint To Dry
Wait for the first coat to dry after painting it and being satisfied with the results. This could take one to three hours, depending on the ambient temperature. Although it might appear patchy as it dries, the second coat will cover this.
Keep an eye out for any paint drips as it dries; these can be difficult to remove later, so make sure the paint is applied evenly.
8. Apply Your Second Coat
For a smooth, uniform finish, apply a second coat of chalk paint to cover any thin spots and streaks. ‘Apply a second coat in the same way, moving your brush in all directions to cover the entire piece, once the first coat is dry to the touch. ‘Retouch any patchier areas, and once more, remember not to apply the paint too thickly; instead, build it up as necessary.’
Choosing a shabby-chic style? Just paint the furniture, and allow it to completely dry. ‘After that, apply some sandpaper to the handles, corners, and edges to remove some of the paint and reveal the raw wood underneath, says French. ‘Leave the paint to completely dry between coats if you want to achieve a multi-coat shabby chic effect by layering one bold color underneath another. You will need at least two coats for a glossier finish of the same color.’
9. Complete The Look With Chalk Paint Wax
Wax sealing is the last step in professional chalk painting of furniture. Although this step is optional, it can help the paint last longer, give it a more polished, five-star feel, and help you achieve artistic paint effects. The paint job you’ve worked so hard to achieve will be protected by the wax as it absorbs into the wood.
Use a bristle brush or a lint-free cloth to apply, and do so liberally. Make sure to cover every area if you decide to use wax. Being cautious with the furniture in question is advised because wax can take up to two weeks to reach its full hardness.
Additionally, furniture lacquer can be used as a substitute for wax as a protective finish.
Once it has dried, add finishing touches to your pieces of furniture, such as a picture frame on a nightstand or a vase of dried flowers on a chest of drawers. It will appear like new!
Where To Buy Chalk-based Furniture Paint?
Direct purchases of Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint can be made through her website or at reputable paint retailers. Rust-Oleum and Frenchic, as well as a few home improvement retailers like B&Q and Wilko, also sell comparable chalk-based furniture paint.
I adore chalk paint, and even after all these years, I still use it the majority of the time. I’m hoping the same for you!
Be proud of the beauty you have produced by setting out to create your own masterpieces. You can do it!
