Chalk paints have become rather popular among home DIY enthusiasts worldwide for their chalky appearance and texture. A water-based matte paint, it’s become one of the go to products for many people who like to bring a very specific feel to their projects. Brushes can be cleaned with water after use rather than having to use mineral spirits. Another advantage of using chalk paint is that its consistency ensures that it is much less likely to drip than many other types of paints, allowing for little to no mess.
In the vast majority of cases, you can start painting with chalk paint right away without needing to do much if any prep work as chalk paint adheres to most surfaces without the need for priming or sanding, unlike typical decorative paints. There are, of course, always exceptions, so it’s important to be mindful of that.
So when should you prep a surface when using chalk paints?
You will want to check the surface you’re going to paint on before you start painting. The majority of wood furniture does not require any preparation, however there are some exceptions.
Is the piece from the 1930s or 1940s? – If so, it’s possible you need to be mindful that pieces from this era tended to use an oil based finish. This can end up having a bleed through effect that can end up not being very nice to look at.
Is the surface made from new untreated pine? You might also get a very similar effect when applying your chalk paint to the furniture.
Is the surface covered in dust, dirt or grease? It’s definitely going to need to be cleaned, or the effects will not be the attractive look you’re going to be going for when using chalk paint.
How to Prep surfaces for chalk paint:
Sanding is usually not a necessary process when you are using chalk paints, however in cases where you have loose pieces of old varnish or edges are particularly rough, it is a good idea to sand them down lightly to ensure that when you apply the paint, it goes over the whole piece nicely and doesn’t get blotchy. With rougher edges, the paint can pool in the rough areas and look darker and varnish can come over as blotchy, making the end result unappealing.
It’s always important to ensure that the furniture is clean before use, as I mentioned earlier. Sometimes dirt and grime is almost invisible to the naked eye, and grease can lead to complications. It’s important to clean your furniture just in case. You should wash the piece and use a detergent, then ensure that all the remains of the detergent are washed off afterwards to ensure there are no problems. I use Sugar Soap as a detergent for my pieces.
When working with darker wood pieces or in cases where you suspect that the wood might bleed it’s important to ensure that it is primed before you paint. I recommend you use two coats of primer and allow it to dry properly overnight before you paint. It might seem like a lot of work but the difference it makes is incredible.
Ensure that you allow the paint to dry properly between coats. Chalk paint is fast drying but it’s also important to remember that it’s a water based paint, so it should be allowed to dry out completely before a second coat is added.
When finishing up, it’s important to remember that chalk paint doesn’t generally give a smooth finish, it has a chalky texture and feel, so a light sanding between coats will lend itself to a smoother finish, and using a good amount of water will help the paint distribute more evenly over the surface.
For the best results, I recommend using a quality chalk paint, such as Annie Sloan and finishing with Rust Oleum.
