Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Chalk Paint™

I receive many questions regarding Chalk Paint™ Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan so thought I would try and answer some of them in a blog post.  Here are a few of the most commonly asked Questions:

 Do I need to prep my pieces prior to painting. 
In most cases the answer is No. Every piece of furniture is different and in most cases your pieces just need to be clean and free from dust and greasy marks.
I would say I would only ever sand maybe 5% of pieces I paint.
If I was painting laminate for instance I would always prefer to rough the surface up with sandpaper prior to painting.  If I was painting a very well oiled Balinese piece I would also give it a light sand. However in most cases I would just put the paint straight on with no sanding and no undercoating required.

How many coats do I need to do.
Two coats are normally required. Again depending on the piece and the look your wanting to achieve you may get away with one coat at times.

How far will one tin of paint go.
Chalk Paint™ goes a very long way. I have painted seven pieces of furniture from one tin of paint.
We recently did a queen size bed, two bedside tables and a tallboy in Old White and still had paint left over.
You can always add water to the paint if needed to make it stretch a bit further.

When can I apply a second coat of paint. 
Once your piece is completely touch dry your ready to re-coat.

Do I sand in between coats. 
No sanding is required in between coats.

How do I clean up.
Chalk Paint™ is water based and will clean up in water.

Why should I use Annie Sloan Soft Wax on my pieces.
Annie Sloan soft clear wax goes hand in hand with Chalk Paint™. You need to apply clear wax to seal your piece. The wax should be applied thinly and evenly. Clear wax is also water repellent and will harden over time and make your piece more durable. It gives a lovely sheen once buffed and a smooth satin finish to feel.

When Do I apply the clear soft wax?
I always paint two coats, sand and then clear wax.
If you want less chalkiness you can always wax and then sand. However I recommend sanding your piece and then make waxing the final step.

How do I apply Dark Wax
Dark Wax is a stain. If your wanting to dark wax a piece to age it always make sure you apply clear wax first. By applying the clear wax first and then dark wax if you feel you have applied too much dark wax you can remove it with the clear wax, kinda like an eraser. However if you apply dark wax without clear wax keep in mind that it will stain your piece and be very hard to remove.

What If I paint a piece and then change my mind on the colour. 
Easy Chalk Paint™ will go straight over the wax. No need to sand the wax off.

I want to paint my old wrought iron bench seat that is outside along with some terracotta pots. Can Chalk Paint be used for outdoors. 
Yes Chalk Paint™ can be used for outdoor pieces. Just don’t wax. The wax can melt in extreme heat so just paint and put your pieces outside.

Do I have to use Annie Sloan’s Brushes.
No you can use normal brushes. However be warned that once you use one of Annie’s brushes there is no going back to a normal brush. Annie’ brushes are made from Hogs hair and are a round shaped brush. I recommend the medium brush for painting as it makes applying the paint a lot easier. I also believe that the piece will dry a lot quicker as the brush enables you to push the paint into your timber and not sit on the surface.
The brush also holds the paint well and has less paint flicks.
The brushes wash out in water and if looked after properly will last you years.

How do I apply the wax. 
Annie Sloan small brush is ideal for waxing. The brush will get into your ornate pieces allowing the wax to be well spread.
Applying with a rag is fine but the small brush does make the job a lot easier and will give a more even look with your clear and dark wax.

Happy Painting x