ANSWERS to Your Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Questions...

Last week's post addressed questions I had 

prior to using the famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. 

It brought about more questions, answers

and some pretty great tips in the reader comments. 

The questions below are taken directly from comments.

They are from new and prospective users.

The answers, also from comments, are from

stockists, trained teachers, and experienced users

who also shared some really great tips!

Thank you all who commented for

sharing your experience and tips with us.

If you haven't read my last post, 

Why Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is Worth $40+ Per Quart,

click HERE.

To see photos and a list of how many items I painted with one quart of chalk paint, click HERE.

PREP FOR PAINTING

TIP:

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said... 

...I learned you need to clean a piece with mineral spirits, krud kutter and vinegar. This seems like a lot but it is quick. The paint will stick to the latex over oil, etc with this prep step.

ASCP DURABILITY and WAX FINISHING 

QUESTIONS:

The Pennington Post asked...

Great post! I have tried ASCP a couple of times and really liked it, but that was with friends that bought it and let me try it. I haven't made the leap myself. Do you also use the wax? Lisa~

CindyML said...
Great information. I was wondering the same as a previous poster about wax. Did you use the ASCP wax?

dlw said...
hi! i read your post... helpful info. i've read several others' blog posts about ascp as well...everyone seems to like it, but what i never see is anything regarding durability. i was concerned that since it sands so readily, that it would not be very durable, and paint would be coming off the painted piece like mad. what are your thoughts on this? does one have to do anything special to keep the paint on? does it have to be sealed, etc.? if you could reply, i'd appreciate it a lot! i'll be checking back! thanx!
take care!
debra

ANSWERS:
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said... 

The paint needs to cure. After 3 days it is tougher, full cure time is 4 weeks or 28 days. After 28 days you can take a fingernail to a painted cupboard door and it will not come off.

Vicki said...
...Waxing? Absolutely recommended for a piece of furniture you will be using as the paint is very porous and will absorb even oils from your hand. The Soft Wax was made to work with this paint so isn't like the other ones you might have tried. Once you get the hang of using it, you're hooked!

janet said...
...DON'T overwax! massage Annie's Clear wax into your paint (Yes..the paint actually absorbs the wax), then be sure to wipe away all excess surface wax. Your piece should feel almost dry to the touch...not slippery at all. If it feels slippery, you still have too much wax on the surface. Wait 24 hrs before buffing. Enjoy!!

BLEED THROUGH

QUESTION:
Anonymous asked...
I have encountered a problem with the chalk paint...on certain stained pieces which may not have a varnish on them, the pinky stain color seeps through. The chalk paint does not seal the unvarnished stain so you have to use an oil primer first. Anyone else have this experience?

ANSWERS:

Vicki said... 

...Yes this sometimes happens on old oak, mahogony, or other made in china finishes. Simple trick - wipe on some clear shellac varnish...let it dry. It is quick and paint over the top of it...nothing will come through the shellac. Oil based primer? Yes, some stains will bleed through even that.
...I have been a painting contractor for over 15 years and knew the first brush stroke with this paint, it was special! Annie does know her stuff and has for quite some time!!

janet said... 

Hello Revi, I am a Stockist for Chalk Paint™ decorative paints and for pieces that have old water damage or very old dark stain (think 1093's mahogany) I brush on some Zinsser clear water based shellac. It dries fast and is a great sealer for stains..knots and odors. You can even brush it on over Annie's paint if a stain pops through.

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said... 

Me again--I read through all the comments. the bleed through has been addressed. the reason there is a bleed through is those old pieces had an anodized dye in them that never dries. The shellac takes care of this.

 

CONSISTENCY and COVERAGE

QUESTIONS:

cathy@my1929charmer said... 

I've used AS paint, but haven't found the coverage you did. I have both waxes and really love the clear wax. I was a little disappointed when I opened my dark wax, it was upside down in the box and when I opened it seemed very thin and slid out. I do love the color of it through. I also think the colors are beyond gorgeous...

Anonymous said...
I like the ASCP but I don't get the coverage most people get. I've also had issues and had to prep on some items. I think it's a fine paint but I don't use ot exclusively. It's another tool in my box.

ANSWERS:
janet said... 

...be sure to let your can sit upside down for about 30 minutes prior to opening for the first time and then give it a really good shake. Chalk Paint™ is a very highly pigmented artisans paint and all the 'good' stuff settles to the bottom.
One more little tip...to make the paint glide smoother across your piece try this ....pour your paint into a container, have a little bowl of water..then slightly tip the end of your brush into the water, gently blot on a paper towel..then dip into your paint. Your paint will glide along nicely with no tugging and the paint will go much farther. No soppy/drippy...just dampening the brush ends.

TIPS:
Sue at Serendipity said...
I haven't seen this problem addressed anywhere so I will do it here. There recently have been a few (very few!) cans of paint that seem to not be up to Annie's standards arriving lately.

 So far, we have experienced it with Old White, French Linen and Coco. The coverage is simply not there when using it. If you experience this problem (or any) contact your stockist and discuss it. Don't assume the paint isn't all that wonderful, because it really is!

 New ASCP users, especially, need to be aware that if you cannot get good coverage with one coat and a touch-up, that particular can of paint may be defective.

 I am not a stockist but we happily host one in our shop. She strives to make every experience a positive one for painters and is in close contact with her next-in-line to determine what the problem is and how to solve it.

 I personally have used ASCP for well over a year and even I was taken aback when one can of French Linen I bought was defective. I kept expecting it to work and it really didn't. I am still using the replacement can and I have painted numerous projects with it beautifully!

 If you have a problem, give your local stockist the opportunity to make it right! Don't continue to use and be disappointed by a can that fails to meet your expectations. It is WELL worth the money!

SANDING

QUESTION:
Michelle Webb said...
What do you sand with - what grit? I love the chalk paint! It is worth it and looks so good.

ANSWERS:
Revi said...
I just used a medium grit that I had around the house. I think a finer grit might do the job, and help get the really smooth finish that's more desirable. Mine was smooth to the touch, but you could see a sort of scratchy texture (in the 7 tabletop). 

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...
For a slick, shiny, modern finish all you need to do is sand with a few different grits of fine sandpaper and finish with a steel wool rub down. You will be amazed at how shiny and smooth this finish is.

ODOR

QUESTION:
Robin @ Happily Home, After said... 

I've been painting a lot of furniture lately and have yet to try the ASCP ... it almost sounds too good to be true! I know if I could but it locally I would have already grabbed a quart. Great info in this post, thanks for sharing. Did the paint have any odor while using it? I plan on painting my dining room table and would really love to leave in it place while doing so rather than hauling it to the garage ... a no odor / low odor product would be a must for me to do that. 

ANSWER:

Revi said...

There was practically no odor from this paint - even less than regular latex paint.

According to the web site (http://www.anniesloan.com/): 
"Extremely low VOC's so it's good for the environment."

Word for the Day:

Isaiah 44:13
The craftsman stretches out his rule,
He marks one out with chalk;
He fashions it with a plane,
He marks it out with the compass,
And makes it like the figure of a man,
According to the beauty of a man,
that it may remain in the house.

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