Spring is here, so many of us are looking to spruce up our homes, and with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan, you can embark on an easy DIY activity that will leave your friends talking. Whether it’s a new coat of paint on your porch bench or a complete kitchen cabinet renovation, you’ll quickly realize how a new paint job can make a place look brand new. For us, we decided that our kitchen cabinets needed some upgrading, and after searching, we discovered how easy Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan makes that process. Since it has extra durability, it gives anything you put on it a unique matte look. Best of all, it has its own primer, and surfaces require no deep sanding before jumping in.
Annie Sloan began developing its special brand of Chalk Paint® in 1990, and ever since then, continuously improve its process. Chalk Paint® is a favorite of ours because it is extraordinarily versatile, applicable on numerous surfaces, like furniture, walls, and cabinets. With every painting task, choosing a color is always a challenge. Luckily, Annie Sloan’s color selection is wide-ranging so that whatever scheme you wish, it’s at your fingertips. What’s more, it is a fun, easy to do activity, whether by yourself or as a couple.
Using Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint® makes the task extra helpful too, since it’s quick, and results are right in front of you. Best of all, anybody can do it, from painting veterans to first-time rushers. The first step is to choose the surface you wish to paint and choosing your color. Luckily, Chalk Paint® is very adaptable and can be applied to many places in your home, even in outdoor areas. For this project, we chose our kitchen cabinets, which were badly in need of a makeover. As for colors, we decided on two: Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan in Provence for the top cabinets and Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan in Old White for the bottom.
Second, you’ll need the right equipment. Annie Sloan has a good selection of brushes, but most hardware or paint stores can get you the brushes you need in a pinch. The same can be said for painter’s tape, and paint trays if needed. Wider brushes are usually better for cabinets, while thinner ones work better for detailed work, so we recommend the broader style. For the final wax spreading step, you should grab a special wax brush, plastic knives, and some paper plates. We also decided that to add to the look of the cabinets and preserve the paint life we wanted to add some cabinet knobs, which we found on Amazon! We also personally recommend using a drop cloth, and an old bed sheet will work just fine. Also, make sure you’re wearing clothes you don’t mind spilling paint on if you make a mistake. If there’s nothing in your wardrobe that’s suitable, just find a t-shirt and shorts and turn them inside out.
The third step is to get the surface you’re painting ready. Generally, it’s good to paint in a room-temperature environment or hotter, since colder temperatures will make it harder for the paint to dry. Luckily, Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan won’t require priming like a typical paint, just a gentle sanding over any rough patches, and a basic clean with warm soapy water on a rag will do the trick. After your dropcloth is set, use your painter’s tape to block off any areas you don’t want to get paint on. We unscrewed the hinges from the cabinets because we felt it made our job easier, but if you prefer to leave them or your handles on, cover them up with the tape just in case. Additionally, we took off all the doors to paint their entirety since we wanted our kitchen area handy and had a garage available, but you can leave them on if you like.
The next step is the main one, painting! Ensure the can is well mixed, we used a standard wooden paint stirrer ourselves, then dip your brush in and get going. Make sure that your strokes are in the same direction as the grain on the wood, since it gives the paint job a better consistency. Take your time, make long brush strokes, and get used to the paint’s thicker consistency than normal paint. The process is super easy to learn for beginners, and if you already have painting experience, it’s that much easier. Even if you apply too much by mistake, it’s not hard to simply spread it over to other sections that need it. When you’re done with the first coat, clean your brush or store it in a ziplock bag in the freezer to keep the paint from drying on it.
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The paint should dry within a couple of hours. After it’s dry, put on a second coat. Don’t worry if the brush strokes seem apparent, the second coat especially will quickly appear as a smooth, consistent finish. If you feel additional coats are necessary, you can go ahead and apply them. Just wait until the previous coat is dry before you apply an additional coat. After the final coat is dry, clean off your brushes and you’re ready for the final brushing step. If you wish to give your item an aged look, you have the option of “distressing” it or sanding it. It depends on if you want the cabinets/furniture to have a rustic finish to them, but if not, proceed to the next step.
The last step involves adding a final layer of sealant. Along with the paint, you will buy the Clear Chalk Paint® Wax by Annie Sloan. But don’t be intimidated, it’s simple, just like applying the paint. Use a knife to spread some of the wax on a paper plate like butter, then use the special wax brush to gently dab and brush the wax onto your surface. You can brush in both circular and up and down motions, but ultimately always brush with the wood grain. When done with what’s on the brush, use a clean cloth (even a t-shirt should be suitable) to further imbed the wax into the wood. One sweep in the grain’s direction should be sufficient.
Further layers of wax are only necessary if the piece being painted will receive regular wear and tear. A table, or in this case cabinets, might require extra for good measure. Just wait 24 hours for each coat to dry, and you’ll be good to go. The wax brush requires mineral spirits for cleaning, so make sure you have a cup of those to sit the brush in for a few hours after use.
And that’s it, you’re done! Just reinstall your doors if you had to remove them in preparation, add your hardware, and your kitchen has its own makeover. Novices and familiars with painting will be amazed at the ease of using Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan. If you’re in the mood for a fun, do it yourself project, no company serves you better than Annie Sloan.
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