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Chalk paint is most often used to give pieces of furniture a matte look, but it can also be used to paint an entire wall if you really love the effect. It has the power to turn a bedroom dresser into a standout piece, or gives a dining room table old-school charm.
What are the pros and cons of chalk paint?
The Pros and Cons of Chalk Paint Pro: No Prep Work. One of the most challenging parts of any painting project is the prep work. Pro: Good Coverage. Con: The Cost. Pro: It’s Water-Based. Pro AND Con: Dry Time. Pro: Durability. Con: You Have to Wax It.
Do you have to use chalk paint to paint furniture?
Chalk paint is not durable on it’s own and need some kind of protective finish. Chalk paint has a much easier alternative to wax if you are looking for a good protective clear coat for furniture. With wax, there is a learning curve, the process takes a while, and the Annie Sloan wax brush is pretty expensive.
When should you use chalk paint?
Another reason you want to use chalk paint when painting furniture is that it rarely requires any preparation, such as sanding or priming, and can be used indoors or outside, on just about any surface. It can be used to paint wood, metal, laminate and even fabric, making it one very versatile, low voc paint.
Does chalk paint scratch easily?
When chalk paint isn’t properly protected and sealed it can chip and scratch pretty easily. So what’s the best way to keep chalk paint from scratching? Applying a liquid topcoat is the best way to keep chalk painted surfaces from scratching.
What paint is best for furniture?
Satin or semi-gloss paints are ideal for most furniture pieces. No matter whether you’re choosing an interior or exterior paint, you’ll see a range of sheens: flat (matte), eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss, in order of lowest to highest luster.
Can you use chalk paint over stained wood?
You Can Use Chalk Paint Over Stain. Transform a stained piece of furniture easily with chalk paint! You can apply chalk paint over just about any finish to create a matte finish painted french country look.
What is so great about chalk paint?
One of the benefits is that it doesn’t require any prep work—it can paint right over most clean, dry surfaces (expect for metal or shiny laminate), even if they’re already painted. Chalk paint is water-based, so you can clean your brushes with soap and water rather than having to use mineral spirits.
Does chalk paint need to be sealed?
Although it isn’t necessary to seal chalk paint, it’s highly recommended, as it will protect the paint so that it lasts longer, while looking its best.
How do you prepare a dresser for chalk paint?
To clean your piece of furniture before painting, use a damp cloth and wipe over the surface. For stubborn dirt and grease, use warm soapy water but avoid harsh chemicals. For shiny laminates, use a sanding pad and lightly sand the surface. Wipe away any sanding dust before painting.
How many coats of chalk paint do you need?
For most purposes, one to two coats of paint are enough. Chalk Paint® adheres to almost any surface, and there is rarely any need to sand or prime before painting. See ‘Dealing with stains coming through Chalk Paint®’ for when to prime or sand before painting.
Can you use chalk paint on upholstery?
Fabric upholstery, cotton, linens, and velvet usually do great with chalk paint. People have even had success painting leather.
Why is my chalk paint rubbing off?
The most common reasons that your chalk paint will scratch off with your finger nail is due to you having used a low quality chalk paint, not having used a wax sealant, using your chalk paint on an unsuitable surface, and only using a single coat of your chalk paint on the surface.
What kind of brush do you use with chalk paint?
The best brush for chalk paint is one with nylon bristles, but you can certainly have a beautiful end result with a synthetic brush. Sanding lightly before applying wax is helpful in getting rid of brush strokes.
Is chalk paint good to use on kitchen cabinets?
You can use Chalk Paint® to repaint the doors on your kitchen cabinets and drawers quickly, easily – and with minimal spend. You’ll need to seal in your paint work when you’re done. For a traditional mellow finish, use Clear Chalk Paint® Wax. For extra durability, try Chalk Paint® Lacquer instead.
Which paint is best for wooden furniture?
For furniture, it’s best to use a satin or semigloss finish in either a latex or an oil-based paint. Never leave primer unpainted. If you choose a latex paint, a latex primer is an excellent choice for most uses. It goes on easily and blocks most stains, and it doesn’t have the odor of an oil-based primer.
What kind of paint can you use on furniture without sanding?
Chalk paint is the best way to paint practically anything without sanding. It offers a gorgeous matte finish and no need to prepare the surface. Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint was the cornerstone of the painted furniture industry as we know it.
Does chalk paint stick to varnished wood?
You can generally skip sanding and priming before applying chalk paint, even when working with varnished wood pieces, because the paint can adhere to most surfaces. This coat prevents tannins in the wood from bleeding into the paint and altering the color.
Can you put chalk paint straight onto varnished wood?
Sanding and priming are usually skipped before applying chalk paint, even when working with varnished wood pieces, since chalk paint adheres to most surfaces. A coat of clear shellac applied with a cloth pad should be applied before painting untreated wood; cure it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
