Would you like to be able to give your furniture a new look? Do you like to go to flea markets and antiques fairs in search of treasures, but then you don't know what to do with them? Chalk paint or chalk paint becomes a great ally in both cases. And is that Chalk painting furniture is very easy.
The main reason that this painting has become fashionable is that anyone can work with it. You don't have to be a restaurant expert to get good results. It is very easy to give furniture an aged look with chalk paint and without previous treatments! Do you want to know how?
What is chalk paint?
Chalk paint is a painting with a high component in calcium carbonate. It is characterized by its matte finish, without gloss, its high coverage and very fast drying. It is used mainly to paint furniture, and can be applied directly on these without any previous treatment. But it can also be applied on other surfaces.
Since the interior designer Annie Sloan patent the formula that later has served as inspiration to this of brands, the prominence of chalk paint or chalk paint has been increasing. Why? Because it provides us with a simple, fast and inexpensive way to renew any piece of furniture.
key benefits
- No primer required. The main advantage of chalk paints is that they can be applied directly to clean, dry surfaces. Even on painted furniture, without the need to remove the previous coat of paint.
- Its base is watery. It is one of the reasons why it is very easy to work with.
- Does not drip. Because of its consistency, chalk paint rarely drips while applied.
- It is not toxic and does not leave an odor. It has a low level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
How to chalk furniture
Working with chalk paint is easy, clean and comfortable. You don't have to be a restoration professional to be able to give a second life to a wooden furniture with this type of paint. Just follow the following four steps:
Clean and prepare the surface
The surface on which the paint is to be applied must be clean of dust and grease for it to adhere. To ensure that this is the case, wipe the entire surface with a cloth impregnated with alcohol and let it dry well. Next, correct the imperfections if any, working with filler the cracks or holes and then polishing them with a fine sandpaper. Remember that sanding the furniture is optional with chalk paint, but if you do, you will have to remove the dust well afterwards.
Paint and sand?
With a clean surface, it's time to apply the paint! You can do it with a brush or roller, with or without texture, respecting the texture of the painting or watering it to achieve different effects. Our advice is that if you are looking for a rustic aesthetic, apply the paint with a palette or brush to accentuate the brushstroke. So when you apply the wax you will achieve a vintage patina that will make the furniture more attractive.
If you want to go further and achieve an aged effectAfter the first coat of paint and once it is dry, a sandpaper or fine steel wool is being passed in projections and corners - those places where the furniture wears more with use - to bring out the original painting from the background . You don't like the background color? Then you will have to apply layers of different colors so that when sanding the second one, the first one comes out.
Are you looking to imitate the finish of a contemporary furniture? So the ideal is to use a flocked roller. If the texture obtained is still slightly grainy, you will have to pass a fine sandpaper over the paint once it is dry so that the finish is smooth like that of a lacquered furniture.
Apply wax or varnish
The application of wax or varnish has two objectives. The main objective is to seal the part, although you can also use them to add a patina of color. In furniture painted with chalk, finishing with wax is more common since it provides a more natural finish to them, however, in some pieces with a lot of use it might be preferable to protect them with varnish.
If you do not want to sacrifice the velvety finish of the painting, applying a matte varnish is the best option, while if you are looking to give it a touch of shine you will prefer to use a satin varnish. The latter, in addition, are more resistant to stains and easier to clean, making them ideal for tables, chairs or other furniture with a lot of use.
Respect the drying times of both the varnish and the wax and polish the latter with a soft cloth when it dries to make the furniture shine. You have already done it! Then you just have to start enjoying your new furniture.
Where to find chalk paint
Today you can find chalk paint or chalk paint in any specialized paint store, from large surfaces to small specialized businesses. You'll be toning paintings in a wide variety of finishes and colors, so don't hesitate to ask for advice. In addition, you can also buy it from the comfort of your home, on large online platforms such as Amazon.
Will you dare to paint your furniture with chalk?