Do you want to learn how to make and use chalk paint on your next DIY project? You’ve come to the right place. Chalk paint is fast and generally, an easy way to add a little character to things in your home, including:
- walls,
- cabinets,
- metal,
- wood,
- and even some fabrics.
It can be used to give your home décor a rustic look and can even be distressed to help make a piece look vintage. One of the benefits of using chalk paint on furniture is that it is easy to use and doesn’t usually require a lot of prep.
There are many different chalk paints on the market, but sometimes they either cost too much or aren’t exactly what you are looking for. Today we’re going to tell you how to make chalk paint, prep the piece of furniture, and apply the paint so your next project can have a look and feel that is uniquely you.
Chalk Painting Furniture
RECIPE:
- 1 QUART OF LATEX PAINT OF THE COLOR YOU WANT
- 10 TABLESPOONS OF PLASTER OF PARIS
- 6 TABLESPOONS OF WATER
Mix plaster of Paris with water and blend into a paste. Pour into the paint and stir until it dissolves.
Clean the Furniture
You don’t need to strip anything off your furniture, which includes old paint or old finishes, but you do need to make sure that it’s clean and dry. Simple soapy water is the best option. DO NOT USE furniture wax to clean it! The was component of most furniture polishes does not mix well with chalk paint. To prevent any mess, you might place a drop cloth or old sheet below your item. If you do get chalk paint on the carpet or floor, you can remove it easily with dish soap or laundry detergent, water, and a little elbow grease.
Use a Chip Brush to Paint Your Furniture
Here’s the real beauty of using chalk paint. You don’t have to be careful to get all your brush strokes going in the same direction; you don’t have to make sure that coverage is even; you don’t even have to paint every nook and cranny if you don’t want to.
Two coats are required on the tabletop for this particular piece because the existing finish has already disappeared. The unfinished wood will take more paint to cover.
Lightly Sand to Create the Perfect Distressed Look
Make sure you are using fine-grit sandpaper. The rougher the sandpaper, the deeper the grooves created in the furniture. You’re not trying to sand through to the wood, just to the finish beneath that layer of paint.
Where and how much paint you sand off is strictly a personal preference. If you go crazy and sand off too much, don’t sweat it. You can always go back and paint another coat of color. On this piece, no sanding is done in the center of the top, where the existing finish is already missing.
Wipe Off the Sanding Dust
Dampen one of the shop towels and run the damp towel over the furniture. You are trying to pick up any dust that you generated with the sandpaper.
Make sure the paint is as smooth as it was when you started. The paint appears at first no different than the latex paint that you started with. When the chalk paint dries on the furniture, you will notice the distressed look.
Coat with Clear Coat
Coat with a product like Master Armor in whichever sheen you want.
Following these instructions will help you revitalize an old piece of furniture or an area in your home and make you look like a pro to your family and friends. To learn more about different paints, wallpaper, and designing your space, stop by our store at 1214 Whiskey Road in Aiken, SC 29803, call us at (803) 226-0591, or visit us online at https://marketplacepaints.com.