Chalk paint or “chalk paint”: what it is and what are its uses at home

Chalk paint, also known as chalk paint, has become a real fashion in recent years. This is due, among other things, to the fact that It is very versatile and can be used on different surfaces.giving a special finish to walls, doors, chairs and wardrobes, among other objects.

Moreover, it is economical, ecological and easy to apply. Anyone can work on it, without having to be a decoration or restoration expert.

And it usually doesn’t require additional treatment. In this article we tell you everything, to get the most out of your chalk paint. Keep reading.

What is Chalk Paint?

The concept of chalk paint refer to colors prepared that are based on gypsum (calcium sulphate, mainly). The name is due to the fact that, once dry, you can write on it, as if it were a blackboard; however, it should not be confused with the one used for this type of surface.

Of course, in addition to chalk, water (as a solvent) and pigments are added to chalk paint to obtain the different colors. It is also possible that some manufacturers incorporate acrylics and other additives to give greater durability or strength.

Gypsum-based dyes were already known and applied since ancient times, in murals and other pictorial works.. However, according to some researchHe chalk paint itself was introduced by English artist Annie Sloan in the 90’s. This was intended to provide an alternative for traditional furniture repair.

And this is one of its most outstanding features, as well as the reason why it has become so fashionable today: it gives the surfaces a particular finish, a little rustic and soft at the same timeas if it were an old object.

Likewise, the presentations that are on the market are usually in pastel or matte colors, ranging from old pink to pale turquoise, passing through very soft ochers and a wide range. This makes them special for the style of decorations Vintage.

How to use “chalk paint”?

He chalk paint it can be applied in different ways: with a brush, roller or brush. Although you can use a compressor or paint sprayIt’s another good option.

There are also those who paint with a sponge or a steel wool to obtain a material-looking finish. It all depends on the size and shape of the surface to be covered or the type of object, as well as the effect you want to achieve.

In general, it is recommended to follow these steps:

• The surface must be clean, without dust or grease. For this you can use a cloth soaked in water and then dry very well or wait for all traces of humidity to disappear.
• You don’t always have to scrape or remove old paint. If necessary, steel wool, putty knife or fine sandpaper can be used.
• The first hand is dealt. A single app may not cover everything. It depends on how much the material absorbs and what color it was before.
• You have to wait for it to dry, between 15 minutes and half an hourbefore deciding if another coat of paint is needed.
• If lumps have formed, it can be sanded again and cleaned. It’s a work of patience.
• If you want a smoother finish or have to paint a fabric, for example, the paint can be thinned by adding a little water.
• Most prefer the matte look, but the protective wax can be applied with a thin brush and then polish with a soft cloth.
• Finally, you need to clean the tools, wash the brushes and remove any drops of paint that may have fallen on unwanted points.

Where to apply chalk paint?

He chalk paint It is an interesting option for various decoration and renovation projects, both at home and in a workplace, such as a clothing store or a café. The chalk paint finishes are particularly appealing to the eye on walls, furniture, doors or other objects made of almost any material (wood, stone, metal, plastic, ceramic, glass).

Walls

With chalk paint a special touch is given to one or more walls in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, even the stairs. You can use two shades and make even one fringe.

Sure, It’s not recommended outdoors a lot, as rain can make it workeven if it’s already dry. Likewise, you want to make sure you remove any moisture spots so the tone doesn’t stay uneven.

Cabinets and drawers

Renovate an old piece of furniture and make it look like another antique elegant just a couple of coats apply sandpaper to reduce imperfections. You can paint wooden furniture such as wardrobes, chests of drawers, tables, among others.

Seats

It also works for chairs, which are made from almost any material. But if they are to be used in the garden, you’ll want to put an extra protective layer over them.paint or wax.

Doors

Passage doors, bedroom doors, bathroom doors… they will all look more beautiful with chalk paint. Obviously, choose a tone that matches your walls and furniture.

Now, if it comes to painting an exterior metal door, you need to do a few steps first:

1. Remove handles, knobs and locks.
2. Clean well.
3. Apply a coat of matte rustproof paint.
4. Leave to dry for at least 24 hours.
5. Remove the excess with fine sandpaper.

In the kitchen

In the kitchen there are several possibilities to paint with plaster: the walls or the old sideboards, for example. To apply on the tiles, you have to make sure you put a previous coat (trigger).

Plans

You can renovate concrete or wood floors with chalk paintwithout spending too much money. You can use a single color or a pattern to add patterns in another tone. And then a coat of paint for extra durability.

fabrics

With chalk paint diluted enough in water (10 tablespoons per litre) you can dye fabrics, whether they are cushion covers for living room furniture or T-shirts. It is recommended to dry in the shade and without wringing.

reuse and recycling

An old bicycle for arranging plants in the garden, jars for the kitchen or baskets for arranging fruit and vegetables, pots for the patio… so many things can be revamped with a little chalk paint, imagination and layout.

windows

Does a lot of light enter a room or do you want to protect yourself from prying eyes from the outside? apply to chalk paint in the crystals. It also works for glasseshow can you check.

At school

There is the possibility of exploiting this resource to develop children’s creativity and imagination by playing and making art. In this sense, it is said to be safe, especially when done naturally.

Advantages and disadvantages of chalk paint

The advantages offered by chalk paint for decorating are many. In this sense, it allows to obtain certain artistic or decorative effectssuch as paint stripping, patinas, aged wood, grain.

On the other hand it is very easy to apply, dries quickly, covers well and does not leave bad smells. Normally, it does not require the use of previous steps, such as sanding or priming.

However, its adherence depends on the porosity of the surface to be coated. In some plastics (hard PVC) it usually doesn’t give good results. It is also not recommended for outdoor use or for bathrooms, as it is not resistant to humidity or continuous friction.

Another of its advantages is that It is considered environmentally friendly. It usually does not contain any strong solvents, unless the manufacturer has added some additional component to give it better adhesion.

Thanks to this, when you finish using it, you only need soap and water to clean the tools, as well as the skin, if paint has fallen on it. Likewise, if you make a mistake, you can wash it and remove it. And if there are remains, it is smoothed out.

For these reasons it is used to mark animals during studies, as it does not generate any reaction in them. It is also a permitted painting in some traditional or old buildings, because it is the one that produces the least impact.

Furthermore, as mentioned in the previous point, He chalk paint not considered toxic. So we read in a research done in indonesiarelating to traditional toys, where it is emphasized that this is precisely why it is the pigment used.

Precautions when using chalk paint

Despite everything, we must take some precautions to avoid problems or damage. To this end, consider the following recommendations:

• Clean items thoroughly before applying paint.
• Take a quiz with a little paint, to see if it has adhesion on the surface.
• Leave to dry before applying a second coat. or apply a protective varnish.
• Cover surfaces you don’t want to stain, whether it’s paper, fabric, or anything else.
• People with skin or respiratory reactions to cast or plaster should wear gloves and a face mask.
• Avoid contact with mucous membranes.
• Check the ingredients in the packageto make sure it does not contain added acrylics.
• Keep watch with the children. While it’s a product they can use, you have to be careful not to put your hands in your mouth or eyes.

Decorate like an expert

If you’ve ever walked into a clothing store or a café and wondered how they can have such a beautiful decoration, with that antique touch, you already know. It’s because of the chalk paint.

And now that you know the secret, it’s your chance to flaunt and decorate like an expert. Remember to choose tones that harmonize with each other and with the rest of the decoration. For the rest, free your imagination.

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