Transforming anything with paint is one of those instant gratification experiences. You can see the fruits of your labor as you go, and for some of us, we could use a little more of that in our day-to-day lives. Feel like it’s been awhile since you have had a payoff for your hard work? Try picking up a paint brush to tide you over. It’s cheap therapy! And if you really want a quick payoff, I recommend using chalk paint. Why? Because you get to go straight to the fun part…the painting! Which brings me to the first reason I love chalk paint.
- No Sanding, No Priming
No kidding! For most surfaces, no sanding or priming is required to use chalk paint. It will adhere to almost any surface. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, you can just pick a color, grab a paint brush, and begin your transformation! (Don’t forget to clean your surface with warm soapy water to remove any dust or gunk.) - So. Many. Options.
If you are purchasing chalk paint from one of the many paint lines available, there are many colors to choose from. A few of the paint lines I have used include Annie Sloan, Heirloom Traditions and Blackberry House (this is actually a chalk free paint, but it has many of the same characteristics as chalk paint). And there are so many more out there that I hope to try in the future. Some people choose to make their own chalk paint, but I happen to enjoy going to the store to pick out my next paint color. - Easy Clean-Up
Chalk paint is so easy to clean up! Sometimes I even wear my “good” clothes to paint because I know that if I happen to get any paint on my clothes, it will wash right out. And it washes off your skin and out of paint brushes with soap and warm water. A time or two I have walked into my paint studio and realized I forgot to wash out a brush I used the day before. The first time I panicked (good brushes are not cheap), but I quickly learned that even partially dried chalk paint will easily come out of a brush with soap and water. - Great Coverage
Chalk paint covers surfaces really well and just a little bit of paint can go a long way. It also gives you a good bit of time to work with it before it dries. - No VOCs
Chalk paint does not contain VOCs. So you don’t have to worry about how the paint is affecting your health as you enjoy transforming your furniture. You should still work in a well-ventilated area, but you can enjoy the process a little more knowing you are not breathing harmful fumes.
So are you ready for your instant gratification project? Like I said, cheap therapy. Comment below and let me know if you have questions or plan to try it!
2 Comments
Hi April! You may not remember me ( it’s been a while!), but I’m Philip Gibbons’s youngest daughter Leann. My dad told me about your new endeavor, and I was curious to see your work. I am a stay-at-home mom, and I’ve recently taken an interest in chalk painting some of the furniture in my home. Have you found that the Annie Sloan chalk paint holds up well on high traffic pieces, like kitchen tables? Is there a trick to making it not scratch and scrape paint off? I’m still learning! Any tips you could give would be really helpful! Congratulations on the new business…your work looks amazing!
Hey Leann, I do remember you and it’s good to hear from you! Thank you for your kind words. To answer your question, yes, chalk paint should hold up fine in high traffic areas. You just need to be sure you seal it with clear wax. I would apply at least two coats for a high traffic area, maybe three for good measure. Be sure to let each coat dry before you apply the next coat. After the final coat, Annie Sloan wax recommends giving it 30 days to fully cure and harden before use. Hope that answers your question. Let me know how it turns out!