Have you jumped on the chalk paint bandwagon yet? If you’re reading our DIY blog, I’m guessing you’ve at least heard of it. “Chalky finish” paints by Annie Sloan and other brands can really be a dream to work with. They give great coverage, they are awesome to distress, and they have a durable, buffed finish when topped off with wax.
Oh wax. We have such a love-hate relationship.
Like many DIYers, I did lots of research before I ever touched a paint brush to furniture. When it came to chalk paint, I read a lot of tutorials that cautioned against using too much wax – I learned quickly that that’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. The problem was, none of them ever really told me how much wax was too much.
But…there’s hope.
I want to share with you a secret I learned from my local stocking for getting perfect results with wax. I’m referring to Annie Sloan wax specifically; I would guess that this technique would give good results with other brands too, but, as always, read your product labels to be sure.
{Find our chalk paint projects here!}
First, the basics:
1. Wax brushes are wonderful tools, and many swear by them. I prefer to use a lint-free cloth to apply and buff wax. Why? I find a cloth much easier to work with because it gives me a lot more control over the amount of wax I’m applying in any given spot.
2. I wrap my cloth around my index and middle fingers (see below), then rub those fingers on the wax in my can, until there’s a thin coating of wax on the cloth.
Now here’s the secret:
3. Rub the wax onto your piece, then work it into the paint, just like you would with lotion on your hands. The biggest mistake people make is using too much wax, but really you only need enough to rub on and work into the paint. I often use a circular motion to work it in.
This step is where I really prefer to use a cloth. I just don’t think I could work the wax in as well with a brush or any other tool. You really want the wax to soak into the paint – usually, you’ll see the paint color deepen as you rub the wax in.
If you’ve worked the wax into the paint and there is still too much in that spot, spread it with your cloth over to a new, unwaxed area and work it in there. Then, allow the wax to sit for at least an hour before buffing your piece with a clean cloth.
That’s all there is to it! Remember, you really don’t need to apply much wax at all. The important thing is that it’s absorbed into the paint so it will cure.
I know SO many people who’ve struggled with wax that I just had to spread the word! If you’re one of them, give this technique a try. It’s definitely changed the way I use wax on chalk paint. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you, or if you have questions!
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