Let’s walk through the basics of how to get started painting furniture with chalk paint. We’ll go over where to find furniture, how to prepare it for paint, how to paint and how to finish it for longevity.
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Supplies
Rustoleum Chalked Paint Clear Coat (you could also use a clear wax like this)
Screwdriver (for handles and opening paint)
Chalk Paint Brush or this is my favorite brush
Where to Find Furniture to Paint
I find my furniture many different places, including Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores and sometimes even garage sales. You might already have a piece you’re wanting to paint, but if you’re wondering where to find a piece for a fun little project, definitely check FB Marketplace first, since you don’t even have to leave your house.
Years ago, I found this Ethan Allen Dresser on FB Marketplace. I loved that it looked like an old card catalog, but was only partially solid wood. Since refinishing it wasn’t an option, I decided to paint it.
How to Prep the Furniture
You’ve maybe heard that you don’t have to prep before chalk painting. While that’s mostly true, there are a few steps you might want to take to get a better finish.
First, you’ll want to wipe your piece down and let it dry. Make sure there’s nothing sticky or raised, because that will show through when you paint and will make your finish look rough and bumpy.
Next, you’ll want to remove any and all hardware. If you’re keeping the same hardware or replacing them with hardware that has the same width between the holes, that’s all you have to do. However, if you’re replacing the hardware with different hardware that has different hole spacing, you’ll want to fill the holes and make sure that’s smooth before moving on.
For this piece I bought replacement handles with the same hole spacing, so I didn’t need to fill any holes.
Time to Paint
I really like the Rustoleum Chalked Paint. I believe Lowe’s carries it, but I’ve purchased it on Amazon in the past. I find that this paint covers really well and is really easy to work with.
For painting, I like to put it on thick enough to almost cover the piece in one coat. I find that it’s best to do 1.5 coats. In my experience, one coat just isn’t enough to fully cover it.
PRO TIP – When you’re painting furniture, you always want to go with the grain. That’s going to give you a smooth, polished look.
Add a Clear Coat
Chalk paint has a “chalky” finish, believe it or not. Just painting the piece will leave your surface feeling very chalkboard like and unfinished. You’ll want to add a clear coat to protect it and give it a more finished feel.
When using the Rustoleum Chalked Paint, I like to use the clear coat that goes with it. This Rustoleum Chalked Paint Clear Coat is a great option.
Another option is a clear wax like this. Either will work, so this is really just a preference thing.
You can do one coat or multiple coats of the protective finish. If you’re painting something like an entry table that won’t see much traffic, you could probably get away with one coat, versus something like a nightstand will need more coats to truly be protected.
Put Hardware Back On
Go ahead and put the hardware back on and voila! All done.
FAQ’s
Do I need to sand first?
If your piece is uneven on the top or there are any major scratches or scuffs that you don’t want, I would sand it (and probably fill it too) just to get a smooth finish. You don’t need to sand it in order for the paint to adhere well though.
Can I paint laminate furniture using chalk paint?
Yes. I’ve never had issues with chalk paint sticking to laminate. I would consider sanding in this case, simply to scuff up the surface just the slightest, in order to ensure the paint sticks extra well. Another option would be to use a bonding primer first, just to be extra sure it all adheres well.
Do I have to use a clear coat?
I suppose it’s up to you, but I would. Chalk paint has such a chalky finish that it would drive me a little nuts anytime I heard that nails on a chalkboard sound. And the feel would give me goose bumps personally. It’s a quick final step that will take you minutes and you’ll be so glad you did it!
Can I mix my own chalk paint colors?
While I’ve never done it myself, I’ve seen people add different paint (even acrylic craft paint) to chalk paint to make their own custom colors.
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