Most people, when they hear about chalk paint, immediately think of a matte black paint covered with chalk drawings. However, this material is used for many other purposes, as well as for decorating the walls. Not only is it available in every color, but it is also one of the easiest paints to apply on furniture due to its density; you do not have to remove the paint or apply a cling agent, you just need to paint the object directly. To refurbish an old piece of furniture, all you need is a couple of hours and enough paint to apply two coats.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Surface
Step 1. Clean the cabinet
Rub it with a slightly damp cloth to remove dust and residues; then, take some furniture-specific wet wipes and go over all the surfaces. You need to make sure that no dust gets trapped under the layers of color.
Step 2. Remove the accessories
Before starting the project, remove all the elements that do not need to be painted (handles, knobs, decorations). As you proceed, note the area in which they are installed and the fixing mechanism to facilitate subsequent assembly operations; store the small parts in a plastic bag with a zip lock to avoid losing them.
Step 3. Fill in deep scratches and dents as needed
If you're painting an old piece of furniture or a piece purchased at a thrift market, inspect it for extensive stains, scratches, or other damage. Run your hands over all surfaces to check their condition, and if you find dents, fill them with wood putty and a putty knife.
If you prefer a "worn" and worn look, you can also leave the imperfections as they are
Step 4. Sand the wood
Take a sheet of fine sandpaper (220 grit) and rub it on the piece of furniture applying constant pressure with the help of a sponge or an emery block; this little foresight allows uniform work. Proceed from top to bottom, taking care to follow the grain of the wood and not a perpendicular direction, otherwise you risk damaging the material a lot.
When done, use the vacuum cleaner and scrub the furniture again to get rid of the sawdust
Part 2 of 3: Applying the Paint
Step 1. Choose the color
Chalk paint is available in a wide range of shades, from white to black, from sky blue to light green. You can choose the one you prefer, but remember that you may need to apply many coats based on the original color of the furniture. For example, if you want to paint a dark surface (such as a mahogany or black metal cabinet) with lighter chalk paint, you may need to apply three or four coats.
- However, this product is thick and dries quickly; consequently, applying several coats does not take long. A 120ml jar should be more than enough.
- There are ready-made chalk paints, but you can create them yourself using latex paint, water and yeast.
Step 2. Define the zones with masking tape
If there are any parts you don't want to color, protect them; for example, if you're painting a dresser or cabinet with drawers, you can tape the side surfaces to keep them clean. Of course, if you prefer to color the whole piece, skip this step.
Step 3. Test on a small area
Choose a hidden spot on the furniture such as the back, the inside of a drawer or an inconspicuous corner. Spread a layer of color and let it dry; afterwards, apply a second coat and wait for it to dry again. At this point, check that the underlying wood does not ooze causing stains on the paint; if there is no negative reaction, you can proceed with the project.
Some types of wood, such as cherry and mahogany, tend to show through color and need to be pre-treated with a coat of shellac. Opt for a spray product and spread two or three layers before painting the cabinet; remember that shellac only takes an hour to dry
Step 4. Start painting from bottom to top
The upper portion of the cabinet typically requires the greatest amount of attention and numerous layers of color; for this reason, it is worth starting from the base and working gradually upwards. Remember that you have to respect the direction of the wood grain, just like you did in the sanding phase; this simple shrewdness facilitates the work and guarantees smoother brushstrokes.
Once you have reached the top of the object, slide the brush from one side of the surface to the other without stopping
Step 5. Apply two or three more layers
After the first coat the furniture will look rough and incomplete, but don't worry! It is completely normal that the first layer of chalk paint does not give a satisfactory result; wait for it to dry and roll out another one right after. Each coat takes 30-60 minutes to dry.
Part 3 of 3: Completing the Project
Step 1. Apply the wax to the furniture
Once the paint is completely dry, you can start applying the wax; opt for a specific product for furniture or a finishing paste for parquet and wooden elements, as it binds well to the color guaranteeing a lasting result. Use a brush specifically designed for this job or a soft rag to apply the wax in circular motions.
Step 2. Proceed with the final layer
After covering the whole piece of furniture, wait 10-15 minutes and continue with a final coat of product. For this step you need a new (unused) rag to rub the wax in circular motions over small areas at a time. Take a different cloth to wipe off the excess product as you work; when finished, run a finger across the surface to make sure they don't get streaked. If you see one, rub a clean cloth over the area again to remove any excess wax.
This finish needs 21 days to completely "cure"; in the meantime, handle the furniture carefully
Step 3. Put the decorations back together
When the wax is dry, you can install the hardware and accessories that you removed before painting, but pay attention to the outer layer that is still stabilizing. You can take advantage of this moment to clean old elements or replace them with new handles, knobs or decorations.
