How to Paint with Chalk Paint

Instructions

Step 1. Ready the Chalk Paint

The first step when painting with chalk paint is to get the paint ready. Open the chalk paint container and give the paint a quick stir with a wooden paint stirrer. The paint must be of a thick consistency.

Important Tip: Choose a chalk paint color that compliments the room by creating a contrasting look or a color that enhances the main color theme. Many DIY chalk painters choose a form of white chalk paint when renovating furniture pieces.

Step 2. Dip the Brush in the Chalk Paint

Choosing a paintbrush with an ergonomic handle design is important. When painting with chalk paint, you want a brush with an easy and steady grip that features natural fibers. Place your fingers on the plated ferrule head for maximum control of your brush strokes.

Proceed to dip the top part of the bristles into the chalk paint, ensuring that you don't dip all of the bristles into the paint, as this will result in wasted paint. The idea is to paint with the top half of the paintbrush bristles.

Important Tip: Be sure to remove all hardware from the piece of furniture before you start applying the chalk paint. A quick wipe-down with a damp piece of lint-free cotton cloth will ensure no greasy parts on the furniture piece. Dip the cloth in a soapy mixture to clean extra greasy areas.

Step 3. Paint the First Coat

Start painting the furniture piece making sure to cover all the areas that are in view. Gripping the paintbrush further down the handle will give you more control of your painting strokes.

Use long, firm strokes and refrain from small stroke movements. Chalk paint has amazing adhesive powers, so you don't have to paint using a precise method. Applying the paint should be a quick process.

Important Tip: When applying the first coat of chalk paint, the main objective is to ensure that the whole piece is covered with paint. The furniture doesn't need to look perfect. You can paint in any direction. The second coat will even paint out and result in more consistent coverage.

Step 4. Paint the Second Coat

Allow the first coat of chalk paint to dry so that it's dry to the touch. The drying process will take a couple of hours. When satisfied that the first coat of chalk paint is touch dry, proceed to paint the second coat, following the exact process of applying the first coat.

Step 5. Ready the Chalk Paint Wax

After the second coat of chalk paint is dry and you're happy with the overall appearance of the painted furniture, open up the chalk wax. The best way to apply the wax is by using a small 1.4" to 2" round wax paint brush (short stub brush).

If you don't have access to a round wax brush, then a lint-free cloth should do the trick.

Step 6. Apply the Chalk Paint Wax

Painting with chalk is a two-pronged process. The painting part is the first, and applying the wax is the second. Without a protective wax layer on the chalk paint, marks will be visible as you handle or touch the furniture.

The wax acts as a sealant, absorbing into the paint, so be sure to put on a fair bit when applying it to the round wax paintbrush. The main aim of painting on the wax is to cover the whole piece with a protective layer. You can use multi-directional strokes when applying the wax.

Apply the wax as you would the paint.

Step 7. Get a Piece of Lint-Free Cotton Cloth

Get a lint-free cotton cloth from the garage or cleaning supply cupboard. A lint-free cloth is ideal for the next step as it doesn't leave any fluff behind when used.

Step 8. Wipe Off Excess Chalk Wax

The final step involves taking the lint-free cotton cloth and wiping it over the furniture piece to remove any excess wax. That concludes the remarkably easy steps when painting with chalk. It is as easy as painting, waxing, and wiping.

Important Tip: The curing process will take approximately 14 days, but you can use the furniture when the wax is dry to the touch. Be extra cautious with it until the paint and wax are hard.