Why should you prep a surface for Chalk Paint®?Before you start painting with Chalk Paint®, check the surface you’re intending to paint onto. Most wood furniture won’t need any prep, but there are exceptions. First, if your piece is particularly dusty or grubby, it’s a good idea to give it a wipe down with a damp cloth. You can use soapy water but avoid any harsh chemicals. Ensuring your surface is clean is particularly important for kitchen cabinets where you’ll find grease residue from cooking that will affect the finish. Show
If you’re painting vintage furniture, check if it’s from the 1930s or ‘40s. Furniture from that period often has an oil-based finish that will create a stain to bleed through. The same can happen if you’re working with new, untreated pine. As Chalk Paint® adheres to the surface, it will draw out any oil stains or tannins in wood, even if they aren’t visible to the eye. Do I need to sand furniture before using Chalk Paint®?Where traditional paints require sanding before you paint furniture. Annie Sloan’s brand of furniture paint will adhere to most surfaces without any sanding first. Chalk Paint® has incredible sticking power so it really doesn’t need any surface prep in the vast majority of cases. You can even paint directly over hardware, if you wish. The only exception is if you’re dealing with a particularly shiny surface, such as laminate. A light sanding here will ensure the paint has a textured surface to adhere to. Some customers also like to sand first if they want to smooth out an uneven or particularly damaged surface. This is something you might want to do if you want your painted finish to be especially sleek and modern at the end. You really don’t need to bother if your end-goal is to create a textured or distressed paint finish. How to prep your surface for Chalk Paint®When it comes to prepping wooden furniture for painting, there are a few things to look out for. Is your surface particularly dirty or greasy? Am I painting over new or untreated pine? Is this a vintage piece from the 1930s or 40s? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you’ll need to do some basic prep. We’ve put together a list of the materials you need to help you prep for painting and also how to go about preparation, whether that’s cleaning, sanding or blocking stains. What materials do I need to prep for painting?Whatever the scale of your painting project, it’s a good idea to have a few materials to hand to help you prepare a surface for Chalk Paint®:
Step by step: how to prepare a surface for Chalk Paint®
Now you know how to prepare a surface for Chalk Paint®, you’re ready to deal with any exceptions to our ‘no sanding, no priming’ motto. In most cases, you won’t need to give prep a second thought, but if a little quirk arises, you know what to do. Follow our steps to preparing wood for Chalk Paint® and you’ll be on track for creating the most beautiful, long-lasting painted finish. As soon as you’re ready to start painting, be sure to buy all the materials you need from your local Annie Sloan Stockist. Shopping with them means supporting small independent business in your community. Finally, when you’re done painting, be sure to share your finished project with us using #AnnieSloan. These 11 no fail chalk painting tips for beginners prove that anyone can learn to paint. Guaranteed to get you hooked on this fun way to paint furniture and home decor accessories!  True confession here. If you aren’t familiar with my blog you may not know one simple truth: I’m not a painter. But there’s one kind of painting that I AM an expert at. Chalk painting. You know why? You really can’t go wrong. Yep. My kind of painting! If you’ve ever star gazed through Pinterest you’ve probably come across a few (million) pictures of a furniture makeover with chalk paint. Although it’s no longer a “new” way of painting, chalk painting stands the test of time as a truly easy way for a non DIYer to try something and experience success! Slap on a coat of paint and be amazed! Let’s go through my beginners guide for some chalk painting tips and answer a few questions, as well as discuss the pros and cons of the process. For additional helpful info watch the video below! MaterialsThese are my favorite products and ones that are affordable. There are many more available on the market today but these will get you started! (Some can only be found through distributors so I tried to link some that are easy to obtain through Amazon.) (I’ve included some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.) Chalk PaintSimple
Green Degreaser and Cleaner (for cleaning furniture) Waxes and FinishesCreme Wax, Clear(seals with a transparent finish) Paint Supplies:Paint Brushes (a basic inexpensive
set) ***If you want to learn more about each of these steps below, the individual projects contain step by step instructions. Tip #1 Should I prep or prime first?(china hutch makeover) Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of chalk painting furniture is that it requires almost no prep work and no priming. You really don’t need to prep or sand unless the surface is uneven or is damaged and needs patching. I’ve had readers chalk paint over laminate that wasn’t in good condition, and in that situation you might need to sand first as well. Whether you have a dilapidated old dresser, that glossy walnut end table, or your Mom’s glass-doored hutch from the ‘70’s, chalk paint can bring it back to life – or hide a multitude of sins! You simply remove any hardware you don’t want painted and go for it. Tip #2 Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect(old window photo frame) The best thing about chalk painting is you don’t have to be a perfect painter to do this. Woohoo! If you’re finishing the piece by distressing it with sandpaper, the irregular and imperfect surface actually helps that look. But just like any paint application, the only thing to really avoid is drips and runs (although you can always sand them down if it happens.) Tip #3 Should I clean the piece first?Making sure your surface is as clean and repair any imperfections before painting. You can use a cleaner and degreaser like this product or something you have on hand. The point is to wipe off any dirt and grime off the piece before you begin, especially if you’re like me and find furniture on the side of the road to redo! Tip #4 How to get a smooth finish with chalk paintIt’s better to paint with several thin coats than to dab on a thick messy coat the first time. You can also try applying chalk paint with a brush for the first layer and then rolling the second layer. Also make sure to apply long brush strokes to the piece and if necessary, thin out the chalk paint if it’s too thick. You can do this by pouring some chalk paint into a plastic cup and then adding a bit of water. Make sure you make enough for each coat or take note of how much you dilute. Most pieces will probably require a second coat. Just add a layer of paint and be the judge of how it looks! (trash to treasure dresser) Tip #5 Should you sand after applying chalk paint?I have to be honest and say I’ve never done this but in my research this seems to be a process that helps achieve a smoother finish. Hand sand until you like the way it looks and make sure and remove all the dust before the finish step. Tip #6 Price of Chalk Paint(distressed chest in coastal bedroom) While chalk paint can be unbelievably expensive there are less costly brands to choose from more recently. Plus virtually anything can be covered with just two coats. Since you don’t have to prime, it isn’t as big a pill to swallow. Be sure to plan accordingly and buy enough for the entire project. You may hit the bottom of that quart late Saturday night with no rescue available! You may also be more limited in color choices with chalk paint, but a good range is available in most areas. You can also research making your own “chalky paint”, but most folks have better results with an established manufacturer. (This is one of the least expensive brands and one I’ve used often.) And, honestly, I still don’t know where or how this stuff got its name! Tip #7 Should You Wax or Not?The most difficult part of this process is, by far, waxing. There is no “easy” way to do it and it is a step you don’t want to skip. You will have to decide whether you want a clear wax or a dark wax (golden brown or deep brown.) Clear will seal the piece almost invisibly, depending upon the color of the paint. Dark will have a more significant impact on both color and appearance. The dark wax really accents the dimensionality of the piece, as it will collect in crevices, corners, and any decorative accents. The easiest way to apply is, forgive me, wax on – wax off! Buff with a soft cloth and remove excess wax with another soft lint-free cloth. If you’re distressing your piece, do so before you wax. I have found that different waxes have different textures. Some are more like a creme and some like a liquid. Just make sure that whatever you use gives you full coverage of your piece. Also make sure and read the directions for how long the piece should cure. Tip #8 How to apply chalk paint(small kitchen buffet) You can buy a brush specifically made for chalk painting or easily buy a less expensive one. Remember, we’re not necessarily going for pretty here, just good coverage. Additionally, don’t use a natural bristle brush intended for oil-based paints and stains. Chalk paint is a water-based medium and will require a soap and water clean up. Exposing this brush to water will ruin it and you will have wasted your money on a very expensive brush. A decent 2” or 2-1/2” latex brush will do the trick. Tip #9 Distressing a Piece the Easy WayLet’s talk about distressing. While this step is certainly not necessary and may not work with your décor, it’s a very popular partner to chalk paint. The key is to distress naturally: think about the areas where a piece would naturally wear over many years and remove paint there. Typically, this is around handles or knobs, corners and along edges, and random spots here and there. Don’t distress as if the piece fell off the back of a truck going down the highway. Distress as though your piece enjoyed many happy generations sitting in the corner! A popular tip is to apply Vaseline on any spot where you know distressing will take place. The chalk paint will not bond here and it will be much easier to sand it off. The problem? You have to plan in advance where those spots will be! I’m definitely a whole lot more spontaneous with distressing. Tip #10 Should you make your own chalk paint?It’s possible to make your own chalk paint but there are many affordable brands to choose from these days. Tip #11 Other Uses for Chalk Paint(DIY Plank Wall) Probably one of our most unusual projects yet is the DIY plank wall in our coastal bedroom. Yes, we chalk painted it but you’ll just have to read the tutorial for all the details! (DIY Mason Jar Chandelier) Yes, you can even paint a chandelier with chalk paint! Although our kitchen has evolved tremendously since this picture, I still love this project! In closing, let me note that there is considerable debate on the many other areas chalk paint can or should be used. I would hesitate to ever use it on a piece of furniture that lives outside. It simply is not formulated to withstand all that abuse and exposure. Some have had success with chalk painting kitchen cabinets. I have not experimented with that use, but my experience makes me think something far more durable would be preferred. I would also hesitate to use it on a dining room or kitchen table. These are such high traffic areas and, like the cabinets, need a more durable coating. Chalk paint is also not recommended for metal or plastic surfaces. I painted the table in the picture below, which was found on the side of the road. Love! I may just end up chalk painting the whole house I have learned recently that there is a clear varnish that you can apply over chalk paint that will seal it so that the furniture can be used outside. I’m eager to try this out for myself! What do you think of these chalk painting tips and do you have any to add? More chalk paint projects:
***There are TONS of helpful tips from readers in the comments below and answers to questions. Check them out! 11 Chalk Painting Tips for BeginnersThese 11 no fail chalk painting tips for beginners prove that anyone can learn to paint. Guaranteed to get you hooked on this fun way to paint furniture and home decor accessories!
What primer should I use with chalk paint?The OIL based primer acts as a “solid” barrier if you will, where as the water based primer we all love to use, allows bleed through. Save yourself the trouble later and just prime first. Know your chalk paint- I have used only 2 different brands.
How do you prep before painting with chalk paint?To clean your piece of furniture before painting, use a damp cloth and wipe over the surface. For stubborn dirt and grease, use warm soapy water but avoid harsh chemicals. For shiny laminates, use a sanding pad and lightly sand the surface. Wipe away any sanding dust before painting.
Can you use regular primer under chalk paint?Absolutely. We all know that chalk paint and milk paint are known for “no prep” and being able to stick to any surface without sanding. That being said, primer is used for so much more than allowing the first coat of paint to stick to a new coat of paint.
Can I use chalk paint on raw wood?You can use chalk paint to paint right over bare wood or existing finishes. There are some instances, however, when I use primer and/or sand before painting, so you really have to look at each piece individually.
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Do you need primer for chalk paint
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