Annie Sloan Chalk Paint© FAQ: What You Should Know

What questions do people have about chalk paint? What are the answers to these questions? Find out below!

What’s the difference between Chalk Paint© and Wall Paint?

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint© is a matte finish, water-based furniture paint. It can be used on wood, metal, glass, masonry products, and plastics without the need for sanding or primer. Annie Sloan also recommends sealing it with Soft Wax to give it a protective coating that will hold up better than any product you would use to seal wall paint (latex).

Wall Paints are less durable paints that won’t stand well if even sealed; they may chip over time, so using them on furniture should require sanding and primers first. Wall Paints are not designed for high contact.

How long let Chalk Paint© dry before the second coat?

While many factors play into drying time, it is recommended that you wait 1-2 hours between coats in most cases. In warm conditions and low humidity, the dry time can be reduced.

How long after painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint© Can you wax?

Depending on the temperature and humidity of where you are and other factors, it usually takes about an hour.

What happens if you don’t wax Chalk Paint?

Chalk paint© leaves a matte finish. Most people love this look. However, others may prefer their furniture to have a slight sheen.

Chalk paint© wax has many uses; it adds a sheen, enhances the color and texture of painted furniture, protects against knocks or scratches. Waxing your piece is important because it adds a layer of protection.

How much Chalk Paint© Wax do I need for my project?

While you will need a lot of paint for your project, wax is needed in much smaller amounts. For every 3 to 4 liters of paint, one 500ml tin should be enough.

How much Chalk Paint© do I need for my project?

As a general guideline, one liter of Chalk Paint© will cover around 13 square meters or the equivalent of a small dresser or china hutch. For most purposes, you’ll only need 1-2 coats, so it’s easy and convenient! Additionally, since this paint is water-based and adheres well to almost any surface without sanding beforehand (if at all), there isn’t much prep work involved before painting furniture.

I have strange stains coming through the first coat of paint? Help, what do I do?

With some furniture pieces, like those from the 1930s and 1940s, you’ll notice that a pink or yellow stain bleeds through your paint. After painting multiple coats of any color, it will continue to bleed through no matter what you do! To stop this, there is something called shellac which can be found at most hardware stores in clear form. Use a pad instead of a brush when applying the shellac so that drying takes minutes rather than hours!

Can I use Chalk Paint© decorative paint by Annie Sloan to paint my floor?

Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint© is a versatile furniture paint that can be used on almost any surface. This makes it perfect for painting floors in your home!

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What does Annie Sloan Dark/Black/White Wax do?

Black Chalk Paint Wax© will darken and enrich colors. It can also be used in combination with Clear Chalk Paint for protection when sealing paintwork.

Dark Chalk Paint Wax© will darken the colors. We suggest before dark waxing your chalk-painted furniture piece, you apply a thin layer of clear wax first. If you skip this step and jump straight into the dark wax without any knowledge of how it will look in its final form, then you might be disappointed! Some colors can absorb more than others. You should always test your wax finish on a scrap piece of wood before applying it to your final project.

Next time you are looking to craft a vintage look on furniture, use White Chalk Paint Wax©. It is perfect for creating faded and washed looks while giving an aged feel!

Can I use Chalk Paint© by Annie Sloan outdoors?

YES! However, there are a few gotchas! Chalk Paint Lacquer© is recommended to use on items that will be touched often, have horizontal surfaces like counters or tables that could collect water and fade in sunlight. The same goes for pieces of furniture used outdoors where they would be exposed constantly under the sun’s heat.

How do I get a smooth finish with Chalk Paint©?

Before painting your furniture piece, sand the surface with medium-grit paper to smoothen out any prominent textures. Next, add a little water to Chalk Paint© and apply paint using a Flat Brush working in the same direction as the grain pattern.

Why is Chalk Paint© decorative paint by Annie Sloan so special?

Chalk paint© can be used to create a beautiful matte finish. Unlike traditional paints, it requires no prep work and can be painted directly on a clean surface!

How long does Annie Sloan wax take to dry?

If you want to buff your piece, wait until the solvents in the wax evaporate. It can leave dull areas if you buff too soon since this effectively strips off all of the wax from its surface. It would be best to let it dry for a couple of hours or overnight so that the solvent evaporates completely before doing any more work.

Yes, see our How to series post on cleaning!

How to clean furniture before chalk painting

Clean the furniture by wiping it down with a damp cloth; you can use soapy water but avoid any harsh chemicals.

To ensure I get the best finish on cabinets, it is important to clean them thoroughly. This will allow grease residue from cooking and use to be removed entirely before applying any paint.

We recommend the Annie Sloan Wax Brush.

Waxing is more like polishing a piece of furniture rather than painting it. You don’t want to apply wax in the same way as you would paint. Instead, think about pressing the wax in and focus on working around with circular motions instead of back-and-forth movements.

How do I care for my Annie Sloan Brushes?

After painting with Chalk Paint®, squeeze out as much excess paint from your brush, then wash it well. Hang the bristles pointing downwards to avoid rust and glue deterioration when you clean them afterward.

Whether applying wax or just cleaning up. Clean is easy since warm water will suffice for both purposes in removing all of that color!

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