FAQ's by Annie Sloan Unfolded

CHALK PAINT®, A DECORATIVE PAINT

Q. Do I need to sand before painting with Chalk Paint®?
A. Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan adheres to almost any surface, indoors and outside - and there’s rarely any need to sand or prime before painting. Most times simply cleaning and dusting off the surface will do. However, there may be rare times when you need to sand first - to remove loose paint, rust, and other surface debris, or when the surface is very glossy (this includes melamine and laminates). Change out your piece of sandpaper when it becomes clogged with old paint and other debris. A fresh sheet makes the task at hand easier to accomplish.

Q. What type of brush should I use to apply Chalk Paint®?
A. Your brush does not have to be expensive, but it does need to have certain qualities because working with bad brushes can be very frustrating. A brush that is made of natural bristle works best. The bristles should be fairly long and flexible with a little bounce to allow you to be expressive in your work. Don’t choose brushes with bristles that are too short since the paint will not flow well, and don’t use a brush with hard and inflexible bristles, because the paint will look scratchy. Don’t have a floppy brush either because you will have to work too hard to make the paint spread.
Annie Sloan’s oval Pure Bristle Brushes are excellent for applying both Chalk Paint® decorative paint. These brushes give you the freedom to paint expressively, they hold lots of paint, and they are comfortable to hold and easy to work with.

Q. I am looking for the perfect color for my project. Do you have any suggestions for mixing colors to get the color I need?
A. The best way for you to find the perfect color for your project is to visit your local Annie Sloan Stockist. Each of our Stockists has been trained in the Annie Sloan Method and they can guide you with making the perfect color choice. If you don’t know your local Stockist, please visit www.anniesloanunfolded.com and click on “Find a Retailer.” Enter your zip code and a listing of Stockists closest to you will appear.
There is also a very informative chapter on working with paint colors in Annie Sloan’s latest book, Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More, including tips for mixing colors and layering one color over another. This book also contains 40 step-by-step projects using Chalk Paint® decorative paint and Annie Sloan Soft Wax. It is available from your local Annie Sloan Stockist, booksellers, and online.

Q. I am painting an unfinished piece of furniture with Chalk Paint®. Are there any special preparation steps I need to take?
A. If you are working with new, untreated wood, you will need to apply clear shellac to any wood knots and open grains. One or two coats of shellac applied with a cloth pad will block any tannins that can bleed up through your new layers of Chalk Paint® decorative paint. This is particularly important on pine, oak, and certain types of mahogany.

Q. Are Chalk Paint® and Soft Wax safe for use on baby cribs, etc?
A. Absolutely! Both Chalk Paint® decorative paint and Annie Sloan Soft Wax are safe to use on furniture destined for baby and child use. However, before putting the item to use, please allow these materials to harden and cure for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Expectant mothers should not apply Soft Wax themselves but find someone else to do so instead. For more information, please reference our Material Safety Data Sheets that can be found at www.chalkpaint.com.

Q. Are Chalk Paint® and Soft Wax good choices for kitchen and bathroom cabinets?
A. Yes! You can use Chalk Paint® decorative paint on most wood cabinetry. Chalk Paint® is meant to give character and interest to cabinetry rather than a perfectly smooth “factory” finish. Typically there is no need to sand or prime although in areas that receive a lot of use, like the cutlery drawer, it might be wise. Apply at least two coats of paint and then two or three coats of Annie Sloan Soft Wax for protection, allowing each wax coat to dry 24 hours before applying the next. Soft Wax makes a good bond to the paint for durability. You can easily maintain your finish by simply wiping the surface with a soft cloth and mild soap and water to clean, and refresh every now and again with a light application of wax as needed.

Q. Can I paint my walls with Chalk Paint®?
A. Chalk Paint® decorative paint can be used to give both old and new walls depth and interest and even a bit of texture. Simply apply one or more coats of paint with a brush or roller for coverage and let dry. You can leave the paint as is, but some people like to apply a thin coat of Annie Sloan Soft Wax over the paint for a really smart polished look.

Q. Can I apply Chalk Paint® over a surface that was previously finished with linseed oil?
A. Linseed oil is a finishing product that is used to restore wood's natural moisture without covering the grain. It is typically found on antique or vintage pieces of furniture that have a stained finish. Unless it has weathered to the point of almost being gone, the surface may not be receptive to new paint. Clean well and apply one or two coats of clear shellac, a natural non-toxic sealer. Chalk Paint® decorative paint can then be applied as you would on any other wood surface.

Q. Is Graphite Chalk Paint® a true black?
A. The Chalk Paint® decorative paint palette does not include a true black. Graphite Chalk Paint®, which is almost black, is not a simple, hard color but a mellow, sophisticated one. However, you can create a darker appearance to the Graphite by first applying a layer of Aubusson Blue Chalk Paint®. Follow this with one or more coats of Graphite until you have achieved complete coverage. When the paint is dry, apply one or two coats of Annie Sloan Dark Soft Wax. You can also add a bit of the Aubusson Blue into the Dark Soft Wax to make an almost black wax.

Q. Can I paint the slate around my fireplace with Chalk Paint®?
A. Although Chalk Paint® decorative paint can be applied over many brick, stone, and concrete surfaces, you should first check with your local government offices to see if it is permissible to paint around your fireplace. Every county or province in North America, Australia, or New Zealand has a set of building codes, including codes that may restrict the application of paint around a firebox, and these codes can vary for each county or province. For example, some building codes do not allow the application of any paint product within 13” from the top of the firebox and 9” on either side.

Q. Can I paint my kitchen countertops and backsplash with Chalk Paint®?
A. We do not recommend painting kitchen countertops and backsplashes because Chalk Paint® decorative paint, even when sealed with a quality sealer such as Annie Sloan Soft Wax or Annie Sloan Lacquer, will not be 100% non-porous and this can present problems with cross contamination. The surface may look clean but it may not be deep down into the finish.

Q. I am painting a previously stained piece of furniture with Chalk Paint® and a yellow stain has appeared in my new paint layer. How do I cover it?
A. If you see a yellow or pink stain coming through the paint on older furniture - typically pieces from the 1930s and 1940s - apply clear shellac, a natural non-toxic sealer. One or two coats of shellac applied with a cloth pad will stop this happening. There is no need to remove the stained coat of Chalk Paint® - you can apply the shellac directly on top. Shellac dries in minutes, and then you can get on with your painting!

Q. Can I paint my furniture from IKEA with Chalk Paint®?
A. We have had many success stories from people who have painted their IKEA furniture with Chalk Paint® decorative paint. We recommend that you ensure the surface is clean before painting. Some new IKEA pieces may have a bit of an oily film on them for packing and shipping purposes and this should be removed using a cloth moistened with low-odor mineral spirits. Next, lightly sand the surface with some fine grit sandpaper and dust off. Then apply a thin first coat of paint, and allow that coating to dry about 48 hours to encourage the paint to bond to the surface. After that, you can continue painting for your desired look.

Q. Now that I have painted a table for our kitchen with Chalk Paint®, I want to put a durable finish on it that I can clean frequently. We have kids and we all tend to be kind of rough on things. What should I use?
A. Annie Sloan Soft Wax, once hardened and cured, provides a durable finish that is easy to maintain. Apply at least two coats of Chalk Paint® decorative paint and then two or three coats of Soft Wax for protection, allowing each wax coat to dry 24 hours before applying the next to get that extra durability you need. You can easily maintain your finish by simply wiping the surface with a soft cloth and mild soap and water to clean, and refresh every now and again with a light application of wax as needed.
It is important to note that any protective coating can be susceptible to scratches, stains and watermarks. When these occurrences happen to a wax coating, they are easily fixed with just a bit more wax rubbed into the marked area with a soft cloth.

Q. How long will it take for my new finish to harden and cure?
A. Chalk Paint® decorative paint is a water-based paint. Water-based paints take approximately 30 days to harden and cure, a chemical process that takes significantly longer than drying. Annie Sloan Soft Wax contains solvents that need to completely evaporate before it is hardened and cured. The curing process for this product may take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks or longer. All finishes prefer warm, dry conditions during the curing process. Cold temperatures, high humidity, and application thickness will extend drying and curing time substantially.

Q. How do I care for my new finish?
A. Furniture painted with Chalk Paint® decorative paint and finished with Annie Sloan Soft Wax will stand up very well to everyday wear and tear. Treat your furniture with respect. Allow your new finish to harden and cure 30 days or longer before placing items that may scratch the surface. Avoid excessive water and sharp or scratchy objects. Use coasters under water glasses and placemats on dining tables. Clean with a soft cloth and avoid all liquid furniture polishes. To clean marks or stains, use a slightly damp cloth or chamois with a little mild soap. If you need to use a stronger cleaner, you may have to re-wax the area. Keep away from extreme temperatures or humidity. Waxes dissolve in alcohol, so using it on bars is not advisable!

Q. I finished my project with Chalk Paint® and Soft Wax. Now I’ve changed my mind about the color. Can I paint over my finish?
A. Of course! One of the key features about working with Chalk Paint® decorative paint is it’s easy to change your mind. You can apply another coat or two of Chalk Paint® over your previous finish, and then seal your new paint layers with a coat or two of Soft Wax.

Q. I have painted my kitchen chairs with Chalk Paint® and the paint is not sticking in some areas. What should I do?
A. A clean surface is important for any paint project, especially on items from the kitchen. You should sand the areas where the paint is not sticking to remove the loose paint and then inspect the surface. Remove any old greasy, waxy or oily residues with a soft rag moistened with mineral spirits. Then clean with soap and water. Use a Scotch Brite pad to lightly scrub the surface, and a soft brush to work into open grain and intricate carvings. Rinse with a clean rag and warm water and let the piece dry completely. Then reapply your Chalk Paint® decorative paint.

Q. I accidently left the lid off my can of Chalk Paint® and now there is a skin over the paint. Do I have to throw my paint away?
A. A skin can form on the top of Chalk Paint® decorative paint when it is exposed to air for a long period of time. Simply mix the skin back into the paint, stirring for a couple of minutes until the paint is smooth again. If the paint becomes too thick, you can thin it with a small amount of water.

Q. I use a spray furniture polish when dusting my furniture. I recently tried to paint one of my pieces with Chalk Paint® and the paint cracked in some spots. How can I fix this?
A. Many spray furniture polishes contain dimethicone, a silicone used as a film former to protect surfaces. This can cause cracks to appear in your Chalk Paint® decorative paint layers, especially along edges. Sand the affected areas with fine grit sandpaper and then seal the surface, including the remaining paint, with one or two coats of shellac, a natural non-toxic sealer. Shellac dries in minutes, and then you can get on with your painting!

ANNIE SLOAN SOFT WAX

Q. Are Chalk Paint® and Soft Wax safe for use on baby cribs, etc?
A. Absolutely! Both Chalk Paint® decorative paint and Annie Sloan Soft Wax are safe to use on furniture destined for baby and child use. However, before putting the item to use, please allow these materials to harden and cure for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Expectant mothers should not apply Soft Wax themselves but find someone else to do so instead. For more information, please reference our Material Safety Data Sheets that can be found at www.chalkpaint.com.

Q. Are Chalk Paint® and Soft Wax good choices for kitchen and bathroom cabinets?
A. Yes! You can use Chalk Paint® decorative paint on most wood cabinetry. Chalk Paint® is meant to give character and interest to cabinetry rather than a perfectly smooth “factory” finish. Typically there is no need to sand or prime although in areas that receive a lot of use, like the cutlery drawer, it might be wise. Apply at least two coats of paint and then two or three coats of Annie Sloan Soft Wax for protection, allowing each wax coat to dry 24 hours before applying the next. Soft Wax makes a good bond to the paint for durability. You can easily maintain your finish by simply wiping the surface with a soft cloth and mild soap and water to clean, and refresh every now and again with a light application of wax as needed.

Q. Can Soft Wax be used on outside projects?
A. No. Annie Sloan Soft Wax should be used on interior surfaces only. It is not suitable for outdoor use.

Q. What is the best way to apply Soft Wax?
A. Less is more, so there’s no need to apply Annie Sloan Soft Wax too thickly. Always apply Soft Wax in thin layers. The wax needs to be gently spread and pushed into the underlying paint using a brush or cloth so that it absorbs into the paint (just like hand cream!). You should immediately remove any and all excess wax with a clean cloth. Work in small areas at a time and change to a clean cloth frequently as an old one can become clogged with wax and become ineffective. Let the remaining thin layer of wax dry a few minutes before buffing. Buff with clean soft cloths. You may find this task easier if you wait until the following day to buff.

Q. Now that I have painted a table for our kitchen with Chalk Paint®, I want to put a durable finish on it that I can clean frequently. We have kids and we all tend to be kind of rough on things. What should I use?
A. Annie Sloan Soft Wax, once hardened and cured, provides a durable finish that is easy to maintain. Apply at least two coats of Chalk Paint® decorative paint and then two or three coats of Soft Wax for protection, allowing each wax coat to dry 24 hours before applying the next to get that extra durability you need. You can easily maintain your finish by simply wiping the surface with a soft cloth and mild soap and water to clean, and refresh every now and again with a light application of wax as needed.
It is important to note that any protective coating can be susceptible to scratches, stains and watermarks. When these occurrences happen to a wax coating, they are easily fixed with just a bit more wax rubbed into the marked area with a soft cloth.

Q. How long will it take for my new finish to harden and cure?
A. Chalk Paint® decorative paint is a water-based paint. Water-based paints take approximately 30 days to harden and cure, a chemical process that takes significantly longer than drying. Annie Sloan Soft Wax contains solvents that need to completely evaporate before it is hardened and cured. The curing process for this product may take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks or longer. All finishes prefer warm, dry conditions during the curing process. Cold temperatures, high humidity, and application thickness will extend drying and curing time substantially.

Q. Can I apply Annie Sloan Lacquer or another clear protective material over Soft Wax?
A. No. Once Annie Sloan Soft Wax is applied, no other protective finish can be applied to the project. Attempting to add Annie Sloan Lacquer, or polyurethane or any other protective material, over a wax finish is futile.

Q. How do I care for my new finish?
A. Furniture painted with Chalk Paint® decorative paint and finished with Annie Sloan Soft Wax will stand up very well to everyday wear and tear. Treat your furniture with respect. Allow your new finish to harden and cure 30 days or longer before placing items that may scratch the surface. Avoid excessive water and sharp or scratchy objects. Use coasters under water glasses and placemats on dining tables. Clean with a soft cloth and avoid all liquid furniture polishes. To clean marks or stains, use a slightly damp cloth or chamois with a little mild soap. If you need to use a stronger cleaner, you may have to re-wax the area. Keep away from extreme temperatures or humidity. Waxes dissolve in alcohol, so using it on bars is not advisable!

Q. I placed a water glass on my new finish and it left a mark. How do I repair this?
A. Annie Sloan Soft Wax offers water resistance but it is not waterproof. Spills should be wiped up as soon as possible. If spills remain on the surface, the moisture can penetrate through the wax coating and leave a mark. These marks should disappear as the moisture evaporates, but if not you can use a bit of Soft Wax on a soft cloth to rub it out.

Q. I would like to apply another layer of Soft Wax for additional protection, but will this cause the wax to build up, making the surface sticky?
A. Annie Sloan Soft Wax builds up only if you don’t remove all of the excess wax after each application. Each time you apply a new coat of wax, the solvents in it dissolve the underlying wax, making one new mixture. When you remove all of the excess wax you will be left with the wax that is stuck on the surface. You can effectively remove the excess wax by wiping it away with a clean cloth. Most likely you will need to have several cloths on hand as you should switch to a clean one when your old one becomes clogged with wax.

Q. What can I do if my finish feels sticky and leaves fingerprints?
A. Failure to remove all of the excess wax can leave a sticky or smeary finish. Try to remove and buff out the excess wax using a clean cloth. Have several cloths on hand and change to a fresh cloth when the old one becomes clogged with wax. If you find this difficult to do, apply a thin layer of additional wax. The solvents contained therein will soften the underlying wax, making it easier to remove the excess. Again, have several clean cloths available. As a last resort, you can remove the excess wax by wiping over the surface with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Most likely you will need to reapply a coat of wax.

Q. How do I clean my brush after I have used it to apply Soft Wax?
A. You can clean your brushes used to apply Annie Sloan Soft Wax with hot water and a grease cutting soap. This method is good if the wax is still fresh on the brush. If you find the wax has hardened on your bristles, place the bristles in low-odor mineral spirits for approximately 5 minutes to dissolve the wax, and then wash the brush with hot water and soap.

ANNIE SLOAN LACQUER

Q. Can I apply Annie Sloan Lacquer or another clear protective material over Soft Wax?
A. No. Once Annie Sloan Soft Wax is applied, no other protective finish can be applied to the project. Attempting to add Annie Sloan Lacquer, or polyurethane or any other protective material, over a wax finish is futile.

Q. What is the best way to apply Annie Sloan Lacquer?
A. Apply Annie Sloan Lacquer with a quality sponge roller and/or brush. Stir this product well before using. It is best to apply two thin coats for even sheen and greater durability. A small amount of water (up to 10%) can be added to the Lacquer for the first coat. Let the first coat dry one to two hours before recoating, and leave the final coat to dry overnight before walking on it.

Q. Can I seal my outdoor patio with Annie Sloan Lacquer?
A. No. Annie Sloan Lacquer was designed for use on interior floors only, and is not suitable for outdoor use.