Our Latest DIY Project Using Chalk Paint

My daughter and I have been busy with our latest project.  We used a combination of paint products including Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint, black chalk paint and off white chalk paint (our own recipes), brown glaze (left over from my faux finishing days, and Minwax Polycrylic Satin Finish.  We love chalk paint because there is no prep required other than cleaning.

Day One:  The first thing we did was clean it 409 Cleaner.  Second, we painted the entire thing with black chalk paint (one coat).  Here's the recipe:

1/4 cup Plaster of Paris 1/4 cup hot water Stir Add 1 cup of acrylic (flat) paint

Day Two: We painted the entire thing with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  We had 1 1/2 quarts.  Unfortunately it was not enough to cover with two coats so we ended up making some more chalk paint using leftover paint that was very similar in color.

Here are the cabinets with just one coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Day Three:  First thing I did was sand the edges to make the piece look distressed and bring out the black underneath.

Next we brushed on one coat of polyacrylic.    Even though paste wax is hot right now; I still prefer using an antique glaze and polyacrylic protective finish.  We used Minwax Polycrylic on this project.

I replaced the wooden knobs with antique looking knobs I found on Ebay.  I found the trunks that sit on top at Tuesday morning, and the M came from Hobby Lobby. The rest we had - we just had to look around the house.  What do you think? We love it!

Why poly and not wax? Here are the main reasons...

1. Polycrylic is water based and cleans easy with water; wax is wax based and cleans up with a solvent such as mineral spirits.
2. Polycrylic is less toxic than paste wax.
3. Polycrylic cures in hours; paste wax takes 24 hours.
4. You can paint over polycrylic if you change your mind down the road.  All you  need is a light sanding.  To paint over paste wax you must completely remove it first.
5. Polycrylic is fast and easy application unlike paste wax.

I put together a table of comparison based on Finishing 101 - Wax or Poly.

I've used other Polys besides Minwax and love them all.  I tried wax but I'm sticking with poly.  You can decide what works best for you.  :) I'd love to hear from anyone who prefers paste wax.

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,