Do you want to give your furniture a unique and stylish look? If so, then you should consider distressing it with chalk paint. It is a great way to add character to your pieces and make them stand out from the crowd. This guide will show you how to distress furniture with chalk paint in a few simple steps. Let’s get started!
What is chalk paint, and why should you use it to distress furniture?
How to distress furniture with chalk paint is a common question among DIY-ers. Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan, Which developed in England in 1990 and was later introduced to the U.S., set off a revolution of sorts when painting and re-purposing furniture – no sanding or priming required!
The paint is a matte, flat finish in over 30 colors and can mix to create custom shades. It adheres well to wood, metal, glass, and most other surfaces. The best part? Chalk Paint is easy to use – brush it on!
When used for distressing furniture, the paint’s unique formula allows you to wipe away the top layers of color with a damp rag, revealing the original paint underneath. It’s this distressing technique that makes chalk-painted furniture look so good!
You can use Chalk Paint on everything from wod and metal chairs to dressers and tables; in fact, anything that needs an update is fair game!
The supplies you need to get started include
Chalk Paint, a Brush, and Sandpaper.
What kind of sandpaper do you use to distress furniture?
I usually use medium-grit sandpaper, but you can use whatever works best for you. Just be sure to sand in the direction of the wood grain so that you will not damage the surface.
- All-in-One: Our DIY paint contains built in primer and top coat to paint almost any surface, indoor or outdoor including wood, laminate, glass, metal, and kids toys; wax & sealants are optional
- Quality You Can Trust: Respected manufacturer with over 80 years experience; amazing adhesion; great coverage requiring less paint coats; long lasting durability; little to no prep work required
- Paint for Furniture, Kitchen Cabinets & More: Formulated for furniture, home decor, kitchen cabinets, upholstery, craft projects & more
- Chalky Matte Finish: Paint dries within 30 minutes to a chalky matte finish that's easy to distress if desired, yet very durable; self leveling for a flawlessly smooth finish; blend colors with ease
- Eco-Friendly & Safe: No harsh chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, or solvents; ultra low VOC including pigments; low odor; certified safe as per European Toy Safety Standards
- Premium quality, water-based paint that dries to an ultra-matte, chalk finish.
- Easy-to-use, self-leveling formula that requires no sanding or priming. Incredible adhesion and coverage.
- Easily paint all types of furniture, cabinetry, upholstery, walls and other surfaces including laminate, metal, concrete and plastic.
- Available in pre-mixed, professionally curated colors to match any decor! Or, mix your favourite colors together for unlimited color possibilities. Plus, it's safe for indoor use.
- For durability and protection, finish with a coat of our Ultra Matte Wax Topcoat or our poly-based Satin Finish Clear Topcoat
- VERSATILE SIZE - This unique chalk white acrylic paint comes in a convenient 32 oz size and has a rich, highly pigmented formula - perfect for all your home décor projects
- ULTRA-MATTE FINISH - When dry this versatile white acrylic chalk paint has a beautiful ultra-matte finish. Requires minimal surface prep, is easy to distress, and can be layered and sanded to give you a perfect aged look and feel
- USE ON MULTIPLE SURFACES - This unique home décor paint dries quickly on a variety of surfaces including wood, glass, metal, terra cotta, and much more
- EASY TO CLEAN UP – Clean up is easy with FolkArt Home Décor Chalk! Simply clean up while wet with soap and water
- AMERICAN MADE - FolkArt Home Décor Chalk is proudly made in the USA. A preferred brand among crafters, painters, and artists, FolkArt is a staple in any collection of art supplies
How to apply the paint – a step-by-step guide:
– To start, you will need to gather your supplies. It includes furniture, chalk paint depending on colors you want, a brush, and wax (optional).
– Once you have gathered your supplies, it is time to start painting! You will want to apply an even coat of paint to the entire surface of the furniture. Be sure to let this first coat of paint dry completely before adding another layer.
– If you want to distress your furniture, then after the first coat of paint has dried, use fine-grit sandpaper and gently begin sanding off some areas where wear would naturally occur (such as edges or corners). It will give it that “antiqued” look.
– Once all areas of the furniture have been sanded, apply a second coat of paint. Let dry before adding another layer (if needed). You can also use wax after this step to seal everything together.
– To clean up any messes made during the painting/distressing process, use a damp rag or paper towel to wipe off excess paint that may have accumulated on other surfaces.
– When you are done/the distressing process, it is time for assembly!
How to distress furniture with multiple colors?
There are a few ways to distress furniture with multiple colors. One way is to use a stripper to strip the finish off the furniture and then sand it down. You can also use a bleach and water mixture to lighten the color of the furniture and then sand it down. Lastly, you can use a paint stripper to strip the finish off the furniture and then use a different color of paint to distress it.
No matter which method you choose, make sure to test it on a small area of the furniture first to make sure it doesn’t damage the wood.
How do you know when it’s distressed enough?
It’s a good question! Sometimes it can be tricky to know when you’ve gone too far, and the piece starts to look too “fake” or overdone. My best advice is to always err on the side of caution and distress less rather than more. You can always go back and add more if needed, but it’s much harder to go back and remove it once you’ve gone too far!
Another way to know if your piece is distressed enough is by doing a “spot test” on the side or bottom of the work. How does it look? Do some areas need more sanding or less? It’s a good idea to do this before moving forward with the rest of the piece so that you can make any necessary adjustments.
The Distressing techniques will give your furniture a unique look?
There are many ways to distress furniture with chalk paint. You can use a brush, rag, or sandpaper to achieve the desired look.
If you want a subtle distressed look, start by applying a thin layer of chalk paint and then lightly sanding it down. Be careful not to rub too much, or you will eradicate the color.
If you are going for a more distressed look, apply several layers of chalk paint and then sand it down heavily. It will create a rustic look that is perfect for farmhouse-style furniture.
No matter what technique you use, be sure to test it on a small piece of furniture first to make sure you are happy with the results.
Tips for protecting your finished piece of furniture
Use a wax brush to apply the first coat of wax. The second and third coats are best applied with an old T-shirt to reduce brush strokes.
Allow ample time for each layer of your project to dry before applying the next coat. Follow the Manufacturer’s recommended drying times on the product labels, usually between 24–48 hours per layer.
Always test a small area in an inconspicuous spot before beginning any project to ensure that the products you are using work well together.
Ensure that it is dry outside, your space is well ventilated when painting outdoors, and allow extra time for drying.
Keep all paint containers tightly covered when not in use, especially if you have children or pets.
When your project is complete, Store your paint and wax in a cool, dry place.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about chalk paint and How to distress furniture with it. Get started on your next DIY project today!
