Tips & Techniques
Getting Started with Chalk Paint™
It really is simple to achieve stunning results with Chalk Paint™. Especially if you know how – be liberal, be lavish! Enjoy your painting, and don’t be shy with the brush. It will help you find your style and technique. There is no wrong or right way of using the paint – its fun, easy to use and versatile, so experiment & express yourself!
Follow these steps for a beautiful, unique work of art
STEP 1: Always start with a clean, dry piece of furniture. Wipe down your piece with soapy water, and make sure it is completely dry and soap free before you start painting.
STEP 2: Open your paint can and stir until the colour comes together. Decant some paint into a container that has a lid and add a little water to the paint. Stir till you have a smooth consistency. You know you have the right ratio of water to paint when there is no ‘drag’ on the brush as you paint. Paint one coat, and allow to dry for an hour. If needed, paint a second coat and let dry. Try to keep each layer of paint consistent in thickness to avoid a patchy look.
STEP 3: Apply Clear or White wax, depending on the look you are going for, gently pushing the wax into the paint (we recommend using the Annie Sloan wax brush). Gently wipe off excess wax with a lint free cloth.
STEP 4: For an antique look, apply Dark or Brown wax over the Clear wax. Push the wax into the brush strokes and grooves, and wipe off the excess with a rag until you are satisfied with the outcome. Make sure to apply the Dark or Brown wax before the Clear wax has dried. If you feel your piece is too dark, you can use Clear wax to rub back the dark wax like an eraser.
STEP 5: If desired, distress with sandpaper after waxing. Distressing after waxing controls the amount of dust produced. Re-wax the distressed areas for protection.
STEP 6: Buff lightly with sandpaper for a nice patina, adding more clear wax afterwards if needed. Polish with a soft lint free cloth for extra shine.
Working with Annie Sloan Waxes
Annie Sloan Waxes are designed to work with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® as a system. The waxes are easy to apply and form a good bond with the paint for durability and protection.
Apply Wax in thin, even coats. This will ensure that the wax dries evenly, resulting in a nice, even sheen after buffing. A thicker layer of wax will dry slower and won’t buff evenly, giving a patchy look. In Singapore, due to the high humidity, thick layers of wax means your piece will remain tacky, and unusable for a long time.
Brush or Rub Wax over the surface, spreading the wax evenly and thinly. You can apply the wax in all directions (criss-cross, circular motions) to ensure that the wax penetrates into the paint pores, and finish with a sweeping motion in one direction.
For best results, use the Annie Sloan Wax Brush to apply the wax. It does all the work for you, and you use less wax than you would with a cloth. After applying the wax, wipe off any excel with a soft lint free cloth until the wax feels dry to the touch. Wipe in the direction of the grain of the wood. If you can glide your finger tips or knuckles over the surface, and there is no resistance or stickiness then you have removed all the excess wax.
TIP: You are not buffing at this stage, you are only removing excel wax, so use light sweeping pressure, no hard rubbing.
On large flat surfaces such as table tops and sides of cabinets, remove wax in the direction of the grain of wood and then even off by wiping from end to end as your final step. Avoid leaving any ‘stop and go’ marks, you will see them once the wax is dry.
Wait for at least 24 hours until the solvents evaporate from the wax, before buffing. If you buff too soon, you are effectively stripping the wax from the surface resulting in a patchy look. The wax is ready to buff when it no longer feels cool or damp to the touch. If you wish to add a second coat of wax for more protection, do not buff the first coat. Wait two days before adding your second coat of wax to give the first coat enough time to dry. Buff only after all desired coats of wax have been applied. Buffing lightly will produce a satin sheen, while more vigorous buffing can produce a higher sheen or even a gloss.
Visit the Annie Sloan website for Inspiration and links to her latest Technique videos.