HOW TO USE CHALK PAINT™

An approximate guide is that one liter of Chalk Paint™ covers approximately 13 square meters, which is equivalent to a small Welsh dresser or a porcelain cottage.

For most purposes, one or two coats of paint are sufficient. Chalk Paint™ adheres to almost any surface, and sanding or priming is rarely necessary before painting. Refer to the “Chalk Paint™ stain prevention” section to learn when priming or sanding before painting is required.

To start, turn the paint container upside down and shake it before use. Then, open it and stir well. If the paint is too thick, simply add a little water and stir. For best results, we recommend using a good-quality brush for applying the paint, such as Chalk Paint™ Brushes.

For protection, always finish Chalk Paint™ with Chalk Paint™ Wax or Lacquer.

You can paint Chalk Paint™ directly over Chalk Paint™ Wax without removing the previous finish.

 

USING CHALK PAINT™ WAX

Chalk Paint™ Wax is the perfect complement to Chalk Paint™. It increases durability, slightly deepens the color, and gives a very light sheen. It's really easy to get sensational results — simply use a Chalk Paint™ Wax Brush or lint-free cloth to apply the wax to the paint. Remove any excess wax with a lint-free cloth.

It’s important to finish Chalk Paint™ with wax or lacquer to seal your finish for years to come and protect it from scratches and watermarks.

A very rough guide is that you will need one 500 ml tin of wax for every 3-4 liters of paint. This will vary depending on how many layers of paint or wax you use to cover a piece. It's always best to leave a bit of wax for touch-ups. If tightly sealed, it will last indefinitely.

 

CHALK PAINT™ WAX CURING

After applying Chalk Paint™ Wax, you’ll find that it dries very quickly. At this stage, it’s still what you might call “soft.” It will begin to harden as the solvents in the wax evaporate. This hardening process is known as "curing." Curing can take from 5 to 21 days depending on the ambient temperature.

You can use your finished piece right away, but it may need to be handled with extra care until the wax is fully cured (you might want to use coasters, avoid sharp objects, etc.). Once cured, furniture painted with Chalk Paint™ and waxed will withstand normal wear and tear.

Chalk Paint™ Wax, once fully cured, is food-safe and toy-safe.

 

HOW TO CARE FOR CHALK PAINT™ AND WAX FINISHES

Usually, light wiping with a damp/dry microfiber cloth is sufficient for cleaning.

Stubborn marks on waxed pieces can often be removed with a little Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax on a cloth, acting like an eraser. If you choose to use a cleaning product, the wax will eventually wear off, but if you want to use a gentle surface cleaner, apply it with a cloth and test in an inconspicuous spot first. With regular use of cleaning products, rewaxing may be necessary over time.

Always use heat mats and coasters to protect painted and waxed surfaces. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity. Like you, your finish prefers a moderate climate!

Waxes dissolve in alcohol, so it is not advisable to use them on bars.

Avoid spray polishes, as they may contain solvents or silicone that could dissolve the wax.

 

USING CHALK PAINT™ LACQUER

One 750 ml tin of Chalk Paint™ Lacquer will cover 19 square meters (204 ft²), but this will vary depending on the absorbency of the material being painted. For best results, lacquer should be applied in very thin layers. Results may also vary depending on previous surface treatment.

When applying Chalk Paint™ Lacquer, note that it is a "permeable" finish and may pull tannins or stains from the wood through the paint. This can be especially noticeable on whites, appearing as a yellow stain. Always test Chalk Paint™ and Lacquer in multiple areas before starting a project. If staining occurs, apply a stain blocker to the entire surface before repainting and lacquering.

 

CAN CHALK PAINT™ BE USED ON STAINED WOOD?

The porous nature of Chalk Paint™ means that when applied to an oiled or stained surface, it can pull the stain through the surface and into the paint, causing discoloration. To prevent this, you need to create a seal between the oiled/stained/varnished furniture and the paint. To seal the stain, you’ll want to use a water-based shellac, such as Chalk Paint™ Lacquer.

If you’re painting vintage furniture, check to see if it's from the 1930s or 40s. Furniture from that era often has an oil-based finish, which will cause staining. The same can happen when working with new, untreated pine. Since Chalk Paint™ adheres to the surface, it will pull stains or tannins from the wood, even if they are not visible to the eye.

If you see a stain bleeding through the paint, apply a stain blocker (or knotting solution) directly over the already applied paint. Treat the entire affected surface to avoid patchiness in the final finish. One or two even coats of the blocker applied with a cloth pad will seal the stain. It dries in minutes, and then you can continue painting.

These stains can often bleed through when Chalk Paint™ Lacquer is applied over Chalk Paint™. If that happens, follow the same steps as mentioned above but over the already applied Chalk Paint™ Lacquer.

Chalk Paint™ is not recommended for use on teak or other oily woods. Always test if in doubt!

Chalk Paint™ is also ideal for covering surface damage to furniture, such as coffee rings, water damage, or ink. Simply cover marks, stains, and aesthetic blemishes with a fresh lick of paint.

 

TOUCHING UP OR REPAIRING DAMAGE

As with any decorating paint, it's not advisable to paint small areas needing touch-up — even if you're working with paint from the same batch. When applying the first coat of paint to a surface, the water absorption rate into the surface ("absorption") affects the final color. Subsequent layers will be absorbed at a different rate by the underlying paint, leading to a subtle variation in shade in the finish.

For this reason, if a repair is necessary, it's recommended to paint the entire surface of the affected area, whether it’s a section of the wall (corner to corner and top to bottom) or the front of a piece of furniture (like a drawer front or table leg).

To ensure the most seamless blend possible, always apply Chalk Paint™ Wax or Lacquer over the fresh layer of paint.

APPLYING CHALK PAINT™ ON UPHOLSTERY AND LEATHER

When it comes to dyeing upholstery, small items that are tightly upholstered (such as a dining chair seat) and made from a natural fabric (such as cotton or linen). In these cases, Chalk Paint™ can be diluted with water and painted as a "wash" that will stain the fibers. Fabric dyed in this way does not need to be waxed afterwards.

There are other ways to dye upholstery, but the success of dyeing any piece of upholstery depends on factors such as the condition, color and composition of the fabric, how tightly it is padded, and from the color used (red colors are less persistent). .

In most cases you will see better results going from light to dark than trying to go from dark to light.

If you are confident, you can experiment with different techniques - applying the paint more thickly will change the composition of the fabric, making it stiffer. It can then be waxed and polished to create a leather effect.

You can also use Chalk Paint™ on leather and vinyl - build up the coating in thin layers and then wax to finish. As leather ages, it creases and cracks, so does the color, so keep that in mind if you're using well-worn or padded items.

We recommend testing any project on a small area first before committing to painting the entire piece. In general, we do not recommend painting heavily upholstered sofas or suites, as well as items that are used very intensively. There is no guarantee that the paint and color will last on the fabric, and once it is dyed, there is no going back.

If you do decide to try it, we don't recommend it as your first Chalk Paint™ project. If you've never used Chalk Paint™ before, start with a small piece of furniture to get a feel for the paint.

TRANCING ON FABRIC WITH CHALK PAINT™

To stencil fabric with Chalk Paint™, apply with a sponge roller. No need to dilute the paint.

To prevent the image from bleeding around the edges, try not to overload the roller with paint. Allow the fabric to dry naturally, then heat seal it by tumble drying or pressing with a hot iron.

DYEING FABRIC WITH CHALK PAINT™

Painting fabric with Chalk Paint™ is a great way to completely change its color. You can control the intensity of the color by adding more or less water. Linen, cotton, cotton wax, and synthetic drapes work well in this technique. You can also use patterned cotton or linen.

We have found that deeper pigmentation colors such as Aubusson Blue, Scandinavian Pink, Antibes and Florence work best.

Please note that when you paint fabric with Chalk Paint™, you will never achieve the exact color of the original paint. Keep this in mind as you die. If you want something like Antoinette, consider painting with Scandinavian Pink. Antibes Green for Lem Lem, Aubusson Blue for Provence and so on.

USING WALL PAINT ON FURNITURE OR KITCHEN CABINETS

Wall Paint is particularly durable, and it can be used on furniture, but it doesn’t offer the same adhesion as Chalk Paint™. We always recommend using Chalk Paint™ on furniture and reserving Wall Paint for what it does best—painting walls!

 

USING WALL PAINT ON PREVIOUSLY LACQUERED OR GLOSSY SURFACES

Annie Sloan Wall Paint can be used on previously lacquered or glossy painted surfaces, but it won’t have the same adhesion as Chalk Paint™. To increase durability, it’s recommended to use an appropriate primer as a base coat (or a layer of Chalk Paint™).

 

IS WALL PAINT BREATHABLE?

Wall Paint contains ingredients that make it very durable. It does not have the same breathability as Chalk Paint™. If you are painting lime plaster or other finishes that require a breathable paint, we recommend using Chalk Paint™.

 

HOW TO CALCULATE THE IDEAL AMOUNT OF PAINT?

2.5 liters of Annie Sloan Wall Paint will cover 27.5 m². Coverage will vary depending on the surface and application.

 

IS IT ONLY AVAILABLE IN MATT?

Annie Sloan Wall Paint is available in one finish: a luxurious, velvety matt emulsion with a slight sheen. This finish offers the best of both worlds to achieve a high-end aesthetic while ensuring that the wall paint can withstand the demands of a busy family home.

 

IS IT FREEZABLE?

Annie Sloan Wall Paint is sensitive to freezing and should be protected from low temperatures. Freezing will render Wall Paint unusable.

 

DO I NEED A MIXER?

Annie Sloan Wall Paint can be mixed by hand before each use, and a professional mixer is not required. Annie recommends using a mixing stick or the handle of a wooden spoon; just be sure to stir from the bottom of the tin to evenly distribute the pigments.

 

DO I NEED TO PRIME?

Knowing when to prime your walls can save time, money, and frustration. These guidelines are helpful for knowing when priming is needed before using Annie Sloan Wall Paint, but they are worth keeping in mind no matter what wall paint you choose.

Many priming needs can be reduced by thoroughly cleaning your walls before painting. Clean with a brush, then wash with warm soapy water or a mixture of vinegar and water, and let dry before painting.

As always, Annie recommends doing a patch test before painting to see if priming is necessary. Unlike furniture, where small patch tests are sufficient, walls will need a larger patch test because any effect will be less noticeable on smaller areas. Here’s when you should consider priming:

New plaster. Painting new plaster can create visible, uneven brushstrokes in the paint finish. To prevent brushstrokes from appearing on painted walls, you can use a specialized primer or create your own “mist coat.” A mist coat is simply paint thinned with water that acts as a primer. All you need to do is mix paint with water: as a rough guide, three parts paint to one part water should work.

Painted walls. If your walls are heavily stained and thorough cleaning doesn’t remove the marks (e.g., from nicotine or coffee splashes), consider priming. This is especially important if you are using a light or white shade. Yellow tones underneath can adversely affect the final color.

Gloss paint. To improve adhesion when painting over a highly glossy surface, consider using a primer.

Dramatic color change. When trying to achieve a drastic color change, such as from light to dark, dark to light, or painting with a bright color, it may be beneficial to use an undercoat before applying Annie Sloan Wall Paint. For example, if you are transitioning from a white wall to a bold color like Riad Terracotta, you may want to apply an undercoat in a similar color (or gray) to reduce the number of Annie Sloan Wall Paint coats required.

 

IS ANNIE SLOAN WALL PAINT DURABLE?

Annie Sloan Wall Paint is extremely durable and has outperformed competitors in independent tests. It has a washable matt finish. Just allow at least 14 days for curing before washing.

 

IS ANNIE SLOAN WALL PAINT ECO-FRIENDLY?

Annie Sloan Wall Paint is a water-based paint with low VOC content, created by a company committed to environmental protection. Low VOC means fewer unpleasant toxins in our paints, which is better for everyone. Annie Sloan Wall Paint is also certified as toy-safe, meaning the paint has been tested for toxic heavy metals that could harm your health and your family’s health. And of course, our tins are recyclable! We are continuously working to become a more sustainable company, and we welcome your feedback on how we can improve.

 

HOW TO AVOID AND CLEAN MARKS ON DARK WALL PAINTS

Annie Sloan Wall Paint is scuff-resistant, durable, and wipeable with built-in protective properties. When touching or rubbing dry painted walls with dirty hands, you may notice that darker colors show white, chalky marks where your hands have been. This is typical of matt paints made with darker pigments and is easily fixed. To remove, simply wipe with a damp or dry cloth. Do not wipe areas where Annie Sloan Wall Paint has not yet fully dried and cured.

 

WHAT IS DECOUPAGE?

Decoupage is a French word that refers to the practice of decorating objects with paper cutouts. Influenced by a craft tradition that includes ancient Chinese paper-cutting, felt appliqués found in parts of the world as diverse as Siberia and Mexico, and the Polish folk art of paper-cutting, decoupage has a rich history. The first evidence of decoupage as the art of applying paper to furniture comes from France in the 17th century. Its long-lasting, global popularity is a testament to how simple and easy the art of decoupage is, and how effectively it can add some beauty to your furniture.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR DECOUPAGE?

When decoupaging, you'll need some Image Medium, which is a glue-cum-varnish hybrid that will stick the decoupage paper to your furniture and protect it for years to come. You'll also want a flat brush to apply the glue (choose something with smooth, flat bristles rather than a tightly packed Chalk Paint™ full-head brush, which is designed to hold a lot of paint to add texture. washing unnecessarily hard!). We think Decoupage looks best on painted furniture with matching or complementary Chalk Paint™, explore the range of colors here.

WHAT CAN BE DECUPATED?

We've decoupaged walls, furniture and stair risers to massive effect and stunning results. Decoupage will work best on Chalk Paint™ or unpainted wood. Some ultra-cheap, smooth plastics may resist decoupage. It's always best to test the image medium on a small, discrete area of ​​the surface you want to decoupage to see if it holds.

HOW TO USE DECOUPAGE?

Recommended tools:

• Decoupage papers

• 1 x Image Medium

• 1 x small flat brush

• 1 x small chalk colored wax brush

• Clear chalk-colored wax or varnish

• Scissors
• Consider the background color of decoupage paper before applying and if desired use Chalk Paint™ to match and blend with the design.
• Whether painted or unpainted, your surface is dry and clean.
• Apply an even coat of Image Medium to the surface using the small flat brush. It acts as an adhesive to stick decoupage paper to any surface.
• Place the decoupage paper on the surface, gently press from the place where you first laid the paper to the opposite side, smoothing out all the folds.
• After allowing the Image Medium to dry for at least 30 minutes, apply a layer of Image Medium over the top of the decoupage paper to seal it.
• Once dry, apply a coat of either clear chalk colored wax or varnish to finish. In high traffic areas, use two coats of gloss chalk paint for maximum protection.

Annie Sloan's Decoupage Tips:

• Explore this technique in the test area because tissue paper is easy to use.
• Wet paper may stretch and wrinkle, but should shrink as it dries. To get a soft edge, tear off the decoupage paper instead of cutting with scissors.

WHAT IS SATIN PAINT AND WHAT ARE ITS ADVANTAGES?

Annie Sloan Satin Paint is an interior paint from Annie Sloan. It is so-called because the finish of the paint has a subtle satin-like sheen. This sheen not only guarantees an elegant, modern, and classic finish for your painted pieces; it also makes this formula especially durable and resistant to wear. These qualities make Annie Sloan Satin Paint an ideal choice for skirting boards, kitchen cabinets, bannisters, radiators, interior doors, and more. Annie Sloan Satin Paint can be used on any wooden or metal surfaces indoors. It can also be used for furniture painting without the need for waxing or varnishing. For outdoor projects, flooring, and decorative effect painting, we recommend Chalk Paint™.

 

WHERE TO USE SATIN PAINT?

Annie Sloan Satin Paint should only be used indoors, on wooden or metal surfaces. We especially recommend Annie Sloan Satin Paint for skirting boards, doors, and kitchen cabinets. It can also be used to give furniture a smooth and modern look. Annie Sloan Satin Paint makes upcycling even easier!

 

HOW TO USE SATIN PAINT?

For best results, use Annie Sloan Satin Paint only on indoor metal or wooden furniture. Clean surfaces thoroughly before painting. All surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of dust, debris, or oil-based contaminants before using Annie Sloan Satin Paint. We recommend using a water-based detergent, such as sugar soap, for thorough cleaning. For more information, see our inspiration page here.

 

DO I NEED TO USE A PRIMER WITH ANNIE SLOAN SATIN PAINT?

We recommend simply sanding the area before painting. However, if sanding to remove the gloss is impractical, an adhesion primer will help your paint stick to the surface. If you're painting kitchen cabinets, we suggest doing both.

 

IS SATIN PAINT HARD TO MAINTAIN AND HOW DURABLE IS IT?

Annie Sloan Satin Paint is particularly durable, long-lasting, and resilient. The satin-like finish makes it harder to scratch than other paints, and if scratches do occur, they will be less noticeable due to the sheen. Annie Sloan Satin Paint will be touch dry in a few hours but won't fully cure to maximum durability for about 14 days. It is important to observe the full 14-day curing period before cleaning the freshly painted finish. After this time, the paint can be washed with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth. For additional protection, apply Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ Lacquer.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SATIN PAINT AND GLOSS, EGGSHELL, OR SILK PAINT?

The difference between satin, gloss, and eggshell paints is the sheen. Annie Sloan Satin Paint has a 10% sheen. Gloss paint has a higher sheen than satin, meaning it has a higher level of reflection, usually twice as much as satin. A glossy surface reflects more light, which means it will highlight imperfections more than a satin finish. If you want your Annie Sloan Satin Paint to look glossier, apply a layer of Gloss Chalk Paint™ Lacquer. Eggshell paints have a more matte finish; to replicate this, apply a layer of Matt Chalk Paint™ Lacquer over Annie Sloan Satin Paint. Silk and satin refer to paints with about 10% sheen; generally, "silk" is used for wall paints and "satin" for wood paints.

 

IS SATIN PAINT WASHABLE?

Annie Sloan Satin Paint will be touch dry in a few hours, but it won't cure for maximum protection for about 14 days. Do not clean your new paint before 14 days have passed. After this time, the paint can be washed with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth.

 

DO I NEED TO PREPARE BEFORE USING ANNIE SLOAN SATIN PAINT?

Satin paint is ideal for interior wood and metal work, including interior doors, skirting boards, bannisters, radiators, and windowsills.

Annie rarely cleans her surfaces before painting and instead just goes ahead. However, if you want to clean the surface before painting, remove any excess soap before applying the paint. Note that in some cases, cleaning can activate the old finish, which may interfere with the satin paint. If you choose to clean the piece, avoid chemicals and use only warm water.

• It is rarely necessary to sand before applying satin paint. However, if you're painting over a very polished surface or a surface previously painted with gloss paint, you may want to lightly hand sand to create a key.
• Heavily painted and oil-stained wood may need to be primed with shellac before painting. Red-colored woods and typical 1930s/40s furniture may have been previously stained—apply a clear shellac to seal the surface and prevent yellow or red tones from bleeding into the satin paint.

If you're going to sand before painting, remember to take appropriate safety measures such as wearing a dust mask.

Please note: Real teak cannot be painted.

IS ANNIE SLOAN PAINT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?

Our range of paints – Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™, Annie Sloan Wall Paint and Satin Paint – are all water-based and low VOC. It is considered by the British Coatings Federation (BCF) to be a more environmentally friendly choice of paint as it means that the amount of solvents in the atmosphere is reduced.

We are also committed to sustainable and local manufacturing at Annie Sloan Interiors. All of our Chalk Paints™, Satin Paints and Wall Paints are made in our factory at Annie Sloan's headquarters in Oxford, UK. Here, we make significant efforts to reduce energy consumption, source the best materials (for our paint and the planet) and recycle as much as possible from the manufacturing process.

 

IS ANNIE SLOAN PAINT VEGAN?

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™, Annie Sloan Wall Paint and Annie Sloan Satin Paint do not contain animal products. Please note that Chalk Paint™ wax contains beeswax; some of our Chalk Paint™ and Wall Paint brushes also contain animal products. None of our Annie Sloan products are tested on animals.

 

IS CHALK PAINT™ BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Chalk Paint™ is known to require little or no preparation, reducing the need for additional priming products. It's also the perfect product for upcycling and refreshing furniture you already own, or second-hand furniture bought locally, meaning it can significantly reduce the amount you use and therefore your carbon footprint. Finally, Chalk Paint™ is water-based, which means it contains minimal VOCs compared to solvent-based products and is considered a more environmentally friendly paint choice.

 

IS CHALK PAINT™ SAFE TO USE INDOORS?

Absolutely! Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint™ has an A+ (ie the highest possible) EU indoor air rating, has minimal VOCs and low odor, making it a great choice for indoor (and outdoor!) use.

TAKE CARE OF ANNIE SLOANE BRUSHES

After painting with Chalk Paint™, squeeze as much excess paint from the brush as possible, then wash the Chalk Paint™ brush thoroughly with warm water to rinse off all color. Hang to dry bristles down to avoid rust and glue damage.

Whether you apply Chalk Paint™ Wax with a Chalk Paint™ Wax Brush or a Chalk Paint™ Brush, simply wash the brush with warm water and degreasing soap, to clear it. Harsh detergents can shorten the life of your natural bristle brushes.

WHAT ARE ANNIE SLOAN BRUSHES MADE OF?

Our Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ Brushes, Chalk Paint™ Wax Brushes and Stencil Brushes have pure bristles. This means they are made from natural materials, including pig hair. The benefit of this is that they contain a large amount of color and their naturally split ends are ideal for creating bold color effects.

We also offer vegan alternatives to our Chalk Paint™ brushes and Chalk Paint™ wax brushes. Made from synthetic fibers, but designed to produce the same high-quality color effects.

Our Annie Sloan Flat Brushes and Annie Sloan Wall Paint Brushes are made with synthetic fibers to help create a smooth, contemporary finish and reduce brush marks.