How To Chalk Paint Furniture?

Do you want to give your old furniture a new life? With this article we will show you how to paint with chalk paint on different surfaces. You will see how easy it is to renovate your home, take the brush and give a new life to your old furniture with chalk paint!

What is chalk paint?

Chalk paint is a very versatile and easy to use type of paint. In a few hours you will be able to renovate furniture and decorative objects. Among its main features we highlight:

It requires no preparation, can be applied without sanding or priming
It is multi-surface and can be used on wood, metal, glass, canvas, and more
Its matte finish helps hide imperfections
It dries quickly, after only half an hour you can apply a second coat
It allows different decorative effects and finishes (matt, satin, glossy, and more)
It is ideal for a vintage or shabby chic style
It can be used both indoors and outdoors

This paint is extremely simple to use and can be used by anyone, from the DIY expert to the beginner. For its application it is possible to use both the roller and the brush or the airbrush gun. Chalk paint is even available in a spray can.

Being a water-based paint, it does not contain solvents and is therefore free of toxic substances. On the market you can also find a type of chalk paint with ecological certification.

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In addition, the tools used to paint like this paint can be easily washed with a little soap and water, without the need for anything else.

Chalk paint can be applied to a large number of surfaces, as long as they are cleaned first. Another interesting feature of chalk paint is that it can be applied without a base coat.

For example, if you have an old furniture with a previous coat of paint, you won’t need to sand or remove the old paint, just clean the surface thoroughly and apply the paint directly.

Among the qualities of this product, we find the fact that it can be mixed with different shades of chalk paint to obtain the desired color. Therefore, starting from some colors, almost all other tones can be obtained.

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Chalk paint is also dense and can cover surfaces with a single layer. In this sense, with a small amount you will be able to paint a large surface. Without a doubt, the performance of this product is outstanding.

Thanks to its composition, it is extremely easy and fast to work with this material, both in terms of drying and sanding.

Being a water-based paint, it is odorless, so it can be used at home without the risk of releasing unpleasant odors. If you deem it necessary, you can apply more coats of paint, as long as you respect the drying times. However, in most cases only one coat of product is sufficient.

Painting with chalk paint is very easy, as you will see below. However, there are a number of tips and tricks that will help you achieve an excellent result and make the most of its benefits.

Good to Read : Furniture trends to follow in 2021 and 2022 – colors, materials, lights and originality

Preparation with sanding and primer

Chalk paint does not require sanding or adhesion primer due to its excellent adhesion. However, it is recommended in these cases:

On surfaces painted with very bright paints.
If the furniture has imperfections, it will be necessary to pass a medium grit sandpaper to smooth the surface before painting it.
When there are several layers of paint, it is best to pickle or sand first. Chalk paint is thick enough and will further thicken the material.
It is advisable to apply an adhesion primer on antique furniture treated with aggressive paints to avoid the pink effect. Since chalk paint is a porous paint, it produces pinkish spots when it comes into contact with this type of paint. The only way to avoid them is to apply a primer that isolates the paint.
It is also recommended to apply a primer on tannin-rich woods such as pine, mahogany or tropical woods. This prevents the wood sweat from penetrating the paint.

Finishes with chalk paint

As already mentioned, chalk paint is a porous type paint and requires a finish to protect it from stains, splashes and weather conditions. This particularity allows a multitude of possible effects and finishes. Among the most used we have:

Wax: recommended for furniture and interior items, as it gives brilliance to the chalk paint. In addition, colorless and mixed waxes can be combined to create different effects and patinas.
Paint: recommended for furniture and objects for outdoors or damp places. By using a non-glossy paint, we will keep the super matte appearance of the chalk paint.
Crackle: the “cracked” effect with layers of different colors is very decorative.
Pickling: surely one of the most popular finishes. There are different pickling techniques to give a vintage or shabby chic look to our furniture and objects.

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Tricks with chalk paint

The tips you’ll read hereon after will help you give a professional finish to your furniture painted with chalk paint:

Chalk paint is a water-based paint and it is recommended to mix it once the can is opened. Do not shake it as bubbles will form. It is best to mix it with a stick until you get a homogeneous mixture.
Once the package is opened, the paint densifies over time. Add a little water to keep it fluid.
It is always preferable to dare two light coats rather than one thick one.
Before starting to paint, clean the surface with alcohol. This will remove the remnants of dirt, dust or wax-based cleaners that can hinder the adhesion of the paint.
For a more rustic finish, apply the chalk paint with a brush and without fear of the brush strokes showing, they are part of its charm.
It is advisable to use brushes with synthetic hairs or microfiber rollers to be able to spread the paint more easily.
On uneven surfaces, with turns and recesses, use the spray format. You will be able to reach all parts in less time.
Treat your freshly painted furniture with chalk paint gently, as its total hardening process takes about two weeks.

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How to renovate your furniture and objects with chalk paint

These are the tools and materials you’ll need to renovate furniture and objects with chalk paint:

Drill / screwdriver
Nail gun
Plaster paint in liquid and spray format
Wax
Medium textile
Brush
Stencil
Medium grain sandpaper
Paper adhesive tape
Coat hook

How to paint glass with chalk paint

Glass is a non-porous surface that hinders the adhesion of the paint. However, it is not difficult to do so with chalk paint, and here are the steps:

Apply thin coats of spray chalk paint. This format is most convenient for surfaces with difficult adhesion, as the paint is dragged with the brush.
Once dry, apply matte varnish always in spray format.
Decorate using one of the fabrics previously decorated with chalk paint. Use adhesive tape to secure it.

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It is important to underline that this is true if you’ll be painting a decorative object. When the glass surface has continuous use (e.g. table top), we recommend priming first.

Vintage corner with chalk paint

Creating a vintage-style corner with chalk paint will cost you a lot less than you think. Thanks to chalk paint you can create a set of objects of completely different styles and materials. You will only need a day of work to prepare your new decoration items.

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How did you like this tutorial on how to paint with chalk paint to renew your decoration? Which objects would you like to paint first? What would you like to renew with chalk paint? We encourage you to demonstrate your DIY skills to friends and family!

How to paint on canvas with chalk paint

With chalk paint you can also renew or customize the fabrics. If you want to know how, don’t miss the steps:

Mix in equal parts a base of chalk paint and another of an acrylic-based additive which, added to normal paint colors, transforms them into colors suitable for decorating fabrics, both natural and synthetic.
Mix with a stick until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
Apply to the fabric, directly or using a stencil to make a decoration
If you plan to wash the fabric later, we recommend applying dry heat with an iron once the paint is dry. This way you will get a better final result.

Conclusions:

Lately, chalk paint is all the rage, even though it’s as old as paint itself. This material is extremely versatile and able to give a distinctive finish to your furniture.

In addition, this product offers several advantages over other paints. It stands out for being an acrylic-based paint, with a plaster component; it has a high covering capacity and dries quickly.

Undoubtedly, however, it can be said that the main advantage of this paint is its application without the use of primer or sanding on a large number of materials, such as painted or unpainted wood, metal, ceramic, stone or any other rigid surface.

Among other surfaces that support chalk paint, smooth surfaces such as glass, plastic or melamine stand out. The finish of this product is ultra-matte, with a velvety touch.