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Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Newbie Tips

Want to know the A to Z of using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint? I’m sharing my best tips for using chalk paint including the best brush for chalk paint, how to use chalk paint wax and more!

The best way to share how to use chalk paint is to walk you through one of my chalk paint projects! I had been looking for a small gray kitchen table for months without finding what I wanted but then stumbled upon a cream desk that was the perfect size and a great price so I decided to use chalk paint to turn it into the kitchen table of my dreams! The best thing about using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is requires NO prep work.  No sanding.  No priming. Nada. Ready to get the details on how to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint yourself? (post includes affiliate links; full disclosure statement available {here})

How to Use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I chose “French Linen”, a dark gray, as my paint color (you can find a local stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint {here}). Using a natural bristle brush, I applied the first coat and quickly saw that it wasn’t going to come anywhere close to covering the old cream color. But no worries because the paint dries super quickly so not long after I was done painting the first coat, it was ready for a second coat. There’s a night and day difference after two coats  – you can see the difference here:

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I probably could have stopped with the second coat but since this was a table that was going to get lots of use and abuse, I went ahead and did a third. Probably my favorite thing about using this paint (other than the fact that there is no prep work…) is that the brush marks smooth out so well as it dries. It’s a great paint to use if you’re not experienced with painting furniture because it’s very, very forgiving.  I almost had a heart attack after finding a long brush bristle embedded in my paint after the final coat had dried but I gently sanded it out, brushed on some more paint and it blended in seamlessly. I love that.
If you’re having any issues getting a smooth finish, one trick is to dip your brush into water and offload it prior to dipping it into the paint (in other words, use a freshly dampened brush) – this will help the paint settle a little more smoothly. Now, it’s on to waxing!

How to Use Chalk Paint Wax

Using a round waxing brush, apply a very thin coat of wax. Annie Sloan Wax and Staples 211 Clear Wax found {here} are both great waxes that work beautifully and are true clear waxes (they don’t yellow/discolor the paint). You definitely don’t want to apply too thick of a layer of wax (waxing lightly is key!) so only put a small amount at a time on your brush because a little bit goes a long way! You want to work the wax into the paint by applying mild pressure to the waxing brush when applying it. Using a circular motion is what works best for me. The porous and chalky nature of the paint makes it ready and willing to accept the wax – and the two unite to form a fabulous and sturdy bond.
Then if you want distressed edges like I did, use fine grit sandpaper to distress the edges so that some of the original color comes through:
 

Next, use a rag to wipe off any sanded bits of paint, wait about 10 ten minutes and buff with a rag.  After 24 hours, finish it off with a second thin coat of wax, making sure that you cover the distressed areas well. Finally, go over the table one final time with a rag to smooth out the wax and wipe off any excess. The next day, use a rag to buff the wax to a nice shine – done!:

It takes close to a month for the wax to fully cure so use a bit of TLC for a few weeks after you’ve painted and waxed your furniture piece. For a frequently used kitchen table or desk, you might want to consider adding a glass top for extra protection.

Best Brush for Chalk Paint & Wax

It’s best to use a natural bristle brush (often labeled as “pure bristle”) to apply Annie Sloan Chalk Paint instead of your more typical synthetic brush usually used for painting walls. It can be something as inexpensive as {this set of brushes}. For applying the wax, I recommend that you invest in a specialized waxing brush such as {this one} that helps work the wax into the paint and get it into little crevices. Natural bristle brushes have a tendency to shed more than synthetic brushes so be sure to keep a look-out for any loose bristles in your paint as you go along.
The Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, wax, and brushes aren’t cheap but after finishing my painting project, I still had over half of the quart of paint left and over ¾ of the wax. I’ve since used them on several other projects so the initial investment in supplies was well worth it. Also you don’t need to spend any money on paint strippers & primers since no prep work is necessary. My favorite Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project that I did after painting this table is bringing this dated armoire to life:
TV armoire before transformationUsing Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, it’s now one of the most gorgeous pieces in our home:

TV cabinet painted and turned into clothes armoireYou can see more of it in my tour of our guest bedroom {here}.

One last piece of advice for using Annie Sloan Chalk paint is to have fun! The beauty of painted furniture is that it doesn’t have to be perfect.  Having some imperfections is part of a painted furniture piece’s inherent beauty so have fun with your project and don’t sweat it if the final result isn’t totally perfect – it shouldn’t be.

Hope you found this post helpful! Be sure and check out my other DIY projects {here}!

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  1. Stacy Fine says

    I’ve paint a few pieces, and wouldn’t think if using any other paint. Like you no prep work, and I love them eayccc. I find it so relaxing, and painting furniture like this helps with my anxiety. The pieces I’ve painted are not perfect, but I love them that way, and the imperfections add character. Also, I’ve saved a lot of money making my home nice and crazy. I’m in the process of redecorating one room at a time, and I’m so thankful to any other tips you can send my way. Thank you for taking to share.

    Reply

  2. Alison says

    It’s nice to know that you can get tips and hints when undertaking on a project

    Reply

  3. Mary says

    We are painting a dark brown faux woodgrain shelf unit white. We just finished the 3rd coat and it still isn’t fully covered. And we have brush marks, even though we are using a high quality expensive brush. We have used an entire quart so far. Any advice? Help please! Thank you!

    Reply

  4. Mary says

    We are painting a dark brown faux woodgrain shelf unit white. We just finished the 3rd coat and it still isn’t fully covered. And we have brush marks, even though we are using a high quality expensive brush. We have used an entire quart so far. Any advice? Does rolling it on ever work? Help please! Thank you!

    Reply

  5. Maria Gilbertson says

    Can I use a small roller for painting my dresser with chalk paint

    Reply

  6. Kathy says

    I have a large two door metal office cabinet w some dents. Will the paint cover the dents where u dont see tgem?

    Reply

    • Nancy J Flemming says

      I am thinking yes if you use one of the textured techniques like rustic or textured finish even colour distressed finish should help camoflague the dent. I learned these in an Annie Sloan Chalk paint workshop. Also you might tap out the dent by holding a block of metal on the inside against dent and gently tapping from the outside with a hammer (like the autobody mechanics do). Good luck with your project.

      Reply