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How to Paint Furniture with Chalk Paint

How to paint furniture with chalk paint

We’ll show you how to use chalk paint to create a beautiful new look or bring an old piece of furniture back to life. Add a distressed finish and even new hardware to create a one-of-a-kind piece of chalk paint furniture that is sure to look great in any space.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time:
  1. Step 1 Prepare for Painting

    person sanding wood

    As with any paint job, you'll need to cover your surrounding area in a drop cloth and cover any surfaces you don't want to get paint on. Then, remove any hardware and hinges from your furniture. Finally, remove all drawers and paint them separately. This will allow you to get a nice, even paint job on all items. Sanding and priming aren't necessary with chalk paint but sanding glossy surfaces down before you paint is recommended for the best finish.    

  2. Step 2 Paint Furniture Piece with Chalk Paint

    person painting furniture with chalk paint

    When using chalk paint, stir it thoroughly and then apply it in light, even strokes. One coat should be enough to cover your piece, but additional coats may be required to obtain your desired look and colour. Allow 30 minutes of drying time between coats.    

  3. Step 3 Make Furniture Look Distressed (Optional)

    person distressing paint with sand paper

    If you'd like to add a distressed look to your furniture piece, use a high-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the edges of your furniture. The natural colour of your furniture will show through, giving it a rough and used look, which looks great in many design styles.    

  4. Step 4 Complete the Look with a Decorative Glaze (Optional)

    person applying decorative glaze

    You can apply a Rust-Oleum Chalked Glaze over any chalk paint surface to give it an antique or aged look. Apply the glaze with a high-quality synthetic brush and let it dry completely (about 8 hours) and then add a topcoat to seal everything and protect it.    

  5. Step 5 Finish it with Rust-Oleum Topcoat

    person applying topcoat

    To protect your furniture from wear and tear, apply one coat of a Rust-Oleum matte topcoat once finished. This will give you an added layer of protection against heavy usage, especially for tabletops. It will also give your furniture a nice, finished look, and can be applied in matte, semi-gloss and glossy for the desired effect.    

  6. Step 6 Let it Dry and Add Hardware

    completed painted furniture

    Allow up to 4 hours for your furniture to dry completely and then re-attach your hardware and put any drawers back in place. This is also a great time to change the look of your furniture by adding new hardware to create a piece that is truly one-of-a-kind. Now you can sit back and enjoy your new, chalk-painted furniture.    

What You Need for This Project

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