10 Tips for Chalk Painting

Chalk paint is a new and exciting way to add colour and character to your home. There are many different brands on the market, but we find that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is by far the best quality. In this article, we will discuss 10 tips for using chalk paint in your home decorating project!

Tips for Chalk Painting:

1. Make sure the surface is smooth. If you are painting over old paint, it may still have some texture to it which will show through your new chalk-painted finish. Using a light sandpaper or fine grit sanding block can help eliminate this problem before proceeding with your project!
2. Use an inexpensive brush when applying the paint. If you’re using a colour from a leading brand such as Annie Sloan which doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, cheap brushes work just as well as expensive ones! You should purchase one that has bristles made of natural fibers (such as taklon), since they hold up better than synthetic materials under multiple coats of paint and last longer. 
3. It’s important to remember that the colour can appear much darker when dry than it does in its wet form. Always do a test area before painting your entire object or surface because once the paint dries there is no lightening it!
4. When applying multiple coats of chalk-based paints, allow each coat to completely dry (this usually takes about 24 hours) before proceeding with additional layers. One way to speed up this process is by turning on a fan near where you are working and placing small pieces of ice cubes on top of any wet areas after completing one layer but before starting another.
5. If you want to achieve a darker finished colour, consider applying a coat of dark wax after your final layer has dried. This will give the paint an aged look that is perfect for vintage home décor pieces!
6. Do not apply multiple layers of clear wax over chalk-based paints as this can cause the colours to “muddy” or become discoloured. One or two coats should be sufficient unless you are trying to create an extremely distressed effect. In those cases, it may take three or four coats before achieving your desired result. 
7. Make sure the piece you want to paint doesn’t have any shiny or glossy areas that will show through the paint once dried. Glossy elements should be covered with a layer of gesso before you apply your chalk-based paints and won’t require additional clear wax to eliminate shine afterwards.
8.  If you are looking to achieve an aged “distressed” look, consider making some intentional mistakes when applying your paint layers! Adding small dents and scratches around edges can give your project the appearance of having been well loved over time – just make sure they aren’t too obvious (see here)! 
9. When finished painting, always wait several days (or longer) before adding a new coat of oil varnish or wax. The paint requires time to cure and may not be able to withstand the application of these top coats immediately after painting is finished!
10. If you are using soft wax, apply this last layer with a cloth instead of a brush in order to achieve an authentic “weathered” appearance. For best results, use long strokes that follow the wood grain pattern when wiping on your coat of clear wax.