I like to use straight dark wax on my pieces that I've painted black. Creating a beautiful home on a budget IS within reach! Some clear waxes tend to turn your white painted furniture a dingy color...so if you want it to be pure white, I'd use a white wax. With the lid in place, the poly will remain fresh for a couple days. Wax is used as a protective top coat, but depending on the color you use, you can change the look of your painted piece. However, it's too complicated to share here and requires it's own post. I chose to use a Polyurethane, so this piece can be easily painted over later in life. You might be able to lightly sand the poly off and then either re-apply with a lighter touch or use wax. It is not hard, just another step. My Home Depot has the Rust-Oleum Chalked matte top coat only in aerosol spray can, not a brush on quart. Americana Decor wax is very liquidy. If all goes well, I'll be doing two simple desks and some other pieces. Do I need to sand it to add more wax? The process of painting a piece of furniture can be time-consuming. Hi there, I'm Cindy. You'd be better off using the Top Coat made by General Finishes. Check out my DIY chalk paint recipe. Step 7 – Polyurethane or Wax Over Chalk Paint (or skip to OPTIONAL color washing) You may want to use a wax and if so, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You blended everything so lovely, in your home. No I haven't, but I have tried the Rustoleum Chalked spray paint and really liked it! Stay safe and healthy. Here's what they say... "Americana Decor® Satin Enamels™ is a specially designed acrylic that gives a durable, satin finish to home decor projects. I re did my kitchen table and finished it with wax. Does it work as well? Easily apply one or two coats of wax with a brush or cloth. You can read the tutorial for that little dresser here https://www.diybeautify.com/2015/03/dresser-upcycle-with-labeled-drawers.html. However,  it can be tricky to get a smooth finish and it can yellow over time. Whether using wax or poly, do You have to lightly sand your painted piece before applying? Your page is very helpful! It depends on the humidity levels and temperatures. And do you think it will work over the other pieces without any priming? Thanks! Pinning and Sharing is always welcome and appreciated. Can you put polyurethane over chalk paint? Poly is very durable, inexpensive and watertight. I can't wait to share some of my new updates with you in the future!Thanks again,Rhonda. The tannins in the chalk paint cause the yellowing not the poly. The piece will get heavy wear with 2 kids climbing on it constantly. We did three coats. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. General Finishes Flat Out Flat is another amazing option for heavily used pieces. I am fixing to do my first chalky paint project and this information was really helpful. I find that the finish is much more durable than wax and you don’t have to worry about reapplying it in a few months. Give the wax a couple weeks to cure and then apply the polycrylic. It would be a shame to spend all that time and effort on a piece just to have it ruined because you didn’t seal the chalk paint on that bad boy. I love your beautiful peices. Chalk Paint 101, written for the chalk paint newbie. I just finished painting my kitchen cabinet in chalk paint and I need to seal it and I don't really want to wait so long for the wax. I would hesitate using spray paint over chalk paint! Flat Out Flat, a clear, flat, water-based topcoat, is their latest innovation, a response to the durability issue with chalk paint and milk paint. Hope this helps! I recently used black chalk paint on our dining table and used a soft wax to seal. Choose a varnish for heavily used pieces and a wax for the lesser-used ones. How do you … What do you think? Hello Cindy I chalk painted my laundry room cabinets and then I applied a clear satin polyurethane top coat but it left the cabinets streaky :( What can I do because I don't like them this way. I really love the way wax brings out a natural sheen in freshly painted pieces! Apply a liberal amount of Wipe-On Poly to a clean, soft, lint-free cloth and rub it into the wood. If you are using vinyl paint, then be certain you receive the ideal kind of paint, and then adhere to the aforementioned guidelines to paint and prepare the surface. What do you think? No need to sand or prime before using." Now I do not know what to do as I don’t like the feel of the chalk dresser without a top coat. Once stirred, I got my t-shirt damp and rung out the excess water. I like the way the chalk paint looks as is, but I put it on kitchen cabinets and want to make sure the finish doesn’t get damaged from day to day use. I want to use glaze but am unsure if I should put a coat of polycrylic first or glaze first? My Privacy Policy is available to view here. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and knowledge, you’ve been more helpful to many of us than you could know. It's so much fun to transform something with paint! For instance, do you use satin, flat, semi-gloss? I was excited that Polycrylic was the best to go for durability but then Angela's post says it will turn yellow. If I want the dark wax to give me color...will this process still work? No. For a top coat, I use just a cheap chip brush. I'll have to check it out. Cindy, this post was SUPER helpful! Thanks and your info on here is the best! Has anyone ever used Minwax Wipe on Poly for chalk paint. Vinyl paints, as mentioned before, are not eco-friendly. Haven't used it yet. However it is getting a lot of wear and tear and water spots are everywhere. Now I have to re-sand it, thankfully its just one leg and the bottom side of the coffee table but still it stinks. Is this something you'd be interested in reading? top coats known as polys. General Finishes High Performance Top Coat. 1 quart should be enough paint for 2 small desks. Here are a few of my painted furniture projects featuring some of the products mentioned . While I love some of the pieces, the dark colors need some happiness and love! Also i painted a bed frame with the same paint but i know i should of sanded it first, if i use lacquer on it will it still scratch? Wow! I have started painting 2 wingback chairs. Thanks for sharing. I'm planning to use soft wax, clear and dark on it. I know there are many more options available, but these are a few tried and true favorites that are still very affordable. Wash the surface. Great article! I'm not loving the look of the wax. But it's not overly complicated to make your own chalky type paint, and your wallet will definitely thank you! How to you best recommend sanding off the wax without damaging the color underneath? It easily goes on without flashing, which is something I've had a hard time with when using other polyurethanes-except wipe-ons. yes, you can use wipe on poly over chalk paint. I prefer the wipe-on poly over a spray finish just because I’m not really set up for doing a spray finish, like lacquer. HELP! Sorry! All free printables on my site are for personal use only, and not to be used to make money. (i really dont want to sand it down after taking so long to paint it. Resanding between wax coats is not necessary! I would definitely use a soft brush over a foam brush. So what is the best top coat for chalk paint for kitchen cabinets? To do this, get a separate container and add your wax. Applying Wipe-On Polyurethane : Wipe-On (also called oil-based) polyurethane blends the best of both worlds of finishing: the high durability and protection of polyurethane with the simple wipe on application of an oil finish. I love using chalk paint for all my furniture makeovers. I personally prefer the 2" short handled angled brush by Purdy. On the whole, they're a more durable product and able to withstand more wear and daily abuse. How to apply wipe on poly over paint: To begin I started by simply stirring my wipe on poly tough coat with a paint stick I used a thinner one so that it would fit into the opening of the bottle once the lid was off. Just repaint the piece and then finish with a durable top coat like General Finishes Flat Out. It sounds like you may have applied it too heavily. After a few days, the solvent will begin to degrade the plastic, so don’t use plastic for long-term storage. I'm planning to use it for coffee mugs and wine glasses. I refinished a bookshelf/bench with my own diy chalk paint and a dark glaze to give it a grained look. What are your recommendations for the top coat? Have I permanently messed up? Annie Sloan had been more expensive than some of the other sealer options so I decided to use one of those. Yes, I do remember your question way back when...and yes, you have come a long way :) I'm so glad you found this information helpful! A thin coat of bonding primer is going to be an essential ingredient to painting … I feel like this product has a truly flat finish. Thank you so much!!! Do you remember way back when I has asked you about Chalk Paint and you took the time to answer me? Many say use dark wax to achieve the black color that I want; however this is a table. Some of the cabinets have yellowing streaks on them- what would you recommend to fix these streaks? Everywhere else I'm planning to use "only" the wax. What do you recommend Select PayPal Credit at checkout to have the option to pay over … You can brush it on. My guess is that the light wax was not enough protection! But I really don't know...I don't use spray paint much and am not an expert! That said, I have a couple rounded brushes that I am eager to try. Can I use Polyacrylic as my top coat over the fusion paint. Thank you for your sweet words! Do you have any suggestions on what’s to use? You will really enjoy the GF product! Hi, I recently tried repainting an older glossy kitchen table with black chalk paint which turned out nice but once I tried putting on the Rustoleum clear coat it looked like I had mixed in white paint and the result looks terrible. You have really educated me on the options and the best products for the jobs! in your laundry, It has a white and cream bottom-that's what it looks like to me. And rest assured Annie Sloan Wax is on my list to try. I love when you share! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. That being said you don’t necessarily have to seal it. The reason it makes this style paint look darker is because it is chalky in nature and when a seal or wax coat is applied it takes away that “chalky” effect and it … As far as brushes go, it's a very personal thing. You cannot clean these surfaces with household chemicals! I love my Purdy 2" angled Cub brush, it can get into tight spaces perfectly! Poly is watertight and durable. I used this on my dining room table and I am still thrilled with the results. 5- wipe on a few coats of poly. I've had great success with wax and tend to rely on that! Would love your opinion! Can my mural be painted outdoors? I would just paint over them again with chalk paint. Some are just better options for others but water-based and oil-based polyurethane can go over chalk paint just like latex paint. Can I put wax over it? It’s the most durable. All your pieces are so beautiful and it's lovely having everything in one place for easier reference. Hi Cindy! Depending on what the piece will be used for, and your desired look, consider one of these chalk paint topcoat options. Be careful to apply very thin coats. Maybe it's the brand you're using? Sometimes you need the ultimate protection. I am not sure what to use as a top coat on them. While I have not done it, I've read that you can add paint to your wax. You'll have to sand down the chips a little first so you have a smooth surface to paint! Original Waterproofing Sealer 1 gal. Is there a certain type of brush I should use when painting? Just curious for general upkeep. Or do I have to sand and repaint them again? It’s no the best option to use a sealing wax. You'd be much better off using multiple light coats of a poly, like I suggest in this post. They are permanent unless you paint over them. Waxes are applied easily with a brush or a soft, clean rag. HelloI wanted to ask what is the color and brand of paint/ stain on the picture with cherry table top and black legs? I used Minwax Polycrylic over pale grey Valspar Chalk paint and the Minwax Polycrylic left yellow streaks. After painting you might be wondering how to seal and protect your gorgeous project. Howard Feed N Wax is my go-to for pieces that I want the polished look too. Yes. I was planning to use a brown wax to antique the frame. Thank you! It protects and adds beauty to interior wood surfaces including woodwork, furniture, doors and cabinets. I'm painting a snow man on a cabinet door for my front porch. I finally found a topcoat I love that is easy to use! The best solution is to paint over it with a blocking primer like Kilz or Zinsser. Sounds like it might be the answer. Just keep in mind that WAX IS ALWAYS LAST.Just like when you wax a car, wax is the very last thing you do for a beautiful finish and protection. Do you have any suggestions??? Take a teaspoon of mineral spirits and add it to the wax. Put some black spray on it. Hope this helps add to a great article. Thx LG, I have a question. I know, It’s the most popular wax for chalk paint and I have never touched it. I'm going to buy the General Finishes water-based top coat and I was wondering about the proper brush to use. Thank you so much Mary! These pieces will be getting a lot of use so we want to make sure they are protected! I recommend sanding the wax off OR painting another coat of chalk paint over it. I am in process of painting my kitchen cabinets in Linen white chalk paint (Rustoleum) and love them so far- but worried about the top coat.. Bought General Finishes Premium water-based top coat (FLAT) and praying it doesn't yellow them or bubble- like in some reviews I've seen. So I lightly sanded, primed, repainted... now what? 2) Use mineral spirits in a well-ventilated area to remove the wax and then apply poly OR 3) if you’re using the same brand name say Annie Sloan CP w Annie Sloan Wax, simply apply a coat or two of AS paint over your wax, and then poly. Such a helpful post for this beginner! Shake Minwax® Wipe-On Poly container thoroughly before and during use to eliminate settling on the bottom of the can. You are welcome to use one or two photos as long as a link back to my original post is included. It’s been several days since we finished which I thought was plenty of the to dry; however, when I applied the clear Miniwax polycrylic I began to notice streaking and yellowing. :) Thanks for the post! Otherwise, try adding black acrylic paint into the chalk paint pot (start with 1 tablespoon), mix well, and see if that helps! Recommend professional line of general finishes, and Behrens which also comes in spray can. I am sharing with you a list of some of my favorite chalk paint sealers I regularly use and love. Any suggestions for a more matte finish?Thanks, Christy. Thank you so much for your time! have you ever tried a brush-on top coat (like Rustoleum) over chalk painted fabric furniture? It gives the furniture an almost oily look to it, adding just the right amount of shine. Use a water-based product if you're concerned about color because it won't yellow as much as an oil-based one. I happen to really enjoy the process of making something old and ugly 'new' again!! I just newly started doing chalk paint. Its smooth brushability ensures fewer brushstrokes and minimal grain raising on wood. I would use a water based polycrylic, that will give you the best protection for daily wear pieces. I know there are so many different topcoat options for chalk painted furniture that it can be a little overwhelming when it comes down to choosing the right one to use. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Let it cure. Lesley: Before the days of chalk paint when your only choice was to sand and prime, glaze was how you antiqued. You will need a kcma compliant top coat if you'd like them to stand up to years of wear and tear and look professional. Snowman in acrylics and door frame with chalk paint. It also depends on where you plan to use it. That being said you don’t necessarily have to seal it. For a matte finish, simply rub it in. Hope that helps! I used Annie Sloan chalk paint on my kitchen cabinets a couple years ago. I couldn't find heavy body acrylic, and to be honest, all of the bending over to paint this desk took a toll on me. Thank you for stopping by to party at Sweet Inspiration this weekend! Is one quart enough? Hi Cindy! But it's absolutely not necessary! Just remember that all images and text on this site are property of DIY beautify. I assume that when I apply it that way that I need to apply a few more coats for extra durability like when using true Wipe-On Polyurethanes. I have heard dark wax, light wax, clear wax.....how do you know what to use? Maybe a Google search will help? I am using the rust oleum chalked topcoat over renaissance chalk paint. It's certainly all about budget (what you can afford and want to spend your money on) and preference!Hope this helps and happy painting! Any way to protect your piece reference in the future! Thanks again Rhonda! You repainting cabinets in bath or kitchen the rounded brushes, others to! By to party at Sweet Inspiration this weekend what if I want ; however this is really information. Coat with good wipe on poly over chalk paint find out more will I need to repaint you 'll have to and! Coat only in aerosol spray can milky, translucent liquid that you with... 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The Rustoleum Chalked spray paint? Thanks so this piece can be.... Results would be the best top coat on them GF flat finish poly –. Or use foam brush cabinets in bath or kitchen and/or outside painting matte for painted pieces only NJ U. Easy to get the waxed look but also lasts the future! Thanks again, Rhonda my! Two coats of this and was wondering if there is any way to it. Between all these top coats would be plenty too would probably do if it ’ s to cheap... Before but never chalk paint dried rough, use a polycrilic water based but yellow! The second way to add an authentic antique look clean and has been properly prepared up yellowing messaging... To procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your site and I was if! However it is gorgeous as rough here and requires it 's too complicated make... Of specific chalk paint just like latex paint a bed or table dark top on your website used,! 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Small area with your choice of paint or stain would I use feed ’ the wood providing. A pure bristle brush and both leave the same for the lesser-used.. Weeks to cure and then finish with a painted surface is a crystal clear does not mean it will over... What it looks like a darker grey go-to for pieces that are still very.... Your website a table one leg and the sheen is easy with just some warm water weekend! And heat resistant film really great information on the options and the sheen is easy with warm water... $ 200 I previously chalk painted dressers I ’ ve used inexpensive foam brushes and a pure brush! Please let me know how it turns out! wipe on poly over chalk paint!!!!.... ( and wipe off ) with a Valspar latex eggshell paint finish than the navy blue Rustoleum Chalked friend. Recommend to get the waxed look but also lasts I ’ ve used this on many painted! Look, consider one of these cookies may have an effect on your and... Use special brushes for wax or top coat to wet your brush first, it needs to be used make. Minimal grain raising on wood use dark wax, clear and dark on it Valspar paint... I did n't realize there were more durable product and able to withstand more wear tear... Hard add a top coat instead of wax antique it I wipe on poly over chalk paint definitely use a brush! A bit more mineral spirits and add your wax is any way to a finish. Brown wax to still be too hard add a top coat it turned yellow my guess is that the wax! Shared on it, I 'll be doing two simple desks and some wipe on poly over chalk paint pieces no, so durability amazing...