How To Keep Chalk Paint From Scratching
If you’re a fan of chalk paint furniture ideas, then you know how beautiful and versatile this type of paint can be. It’s perfect for that shabby chic or farmhouse look, and it’s easy to use on almost any surface. However, one common issue with chalk paint is its tendency to scratch easily. So we’re tackling how to keep chalk paint from scratching in this post!
You should take these steps to protect your chalk painted furniture and keep it looking beautiful and scratch free for years to come.
It can be frustrating when you put in all that time and effort into painting a piece with chalk paint, only to have it get scratched and ruined shortly after. No matter how carefully you apply the paint, scratches can appear over time and ruin the look of your piece.
However, this shouldn’t discourage you from using chalk paint! It’s a beautiful and versatile type of paint, and it’s perfect if you’re going for farmhouse or rustic vibes in your home decor.
So it’s important to know how to protect your chalk paint from scratches. There are simple steps you can do to prevent this issue. From preparation techniques to finishing touches, we’ll cover everything you need to know about chalk painting furniture and preventing those unsightly scratches.
Prepare Furniture Before Painting Chalk Paint
So, you’ve decided to give your furniture a new look with chalk paint. But before you dive in, make sure you take the time to properly prep your piece. While most chalk paints say you don’t need to sand or prime, we promise it’s worth putting in a little extra effort!
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Sanding Before Painting Chalk Paint
Chalk paint on its own can have poor adhesion, which leads to scratches and chips over time. This is why we recommend scuff sanding your furniture. It doesn’t need to be a heavy sanding job – use 220 grit sandpaper and sand just enough to give the paint something to grip onto. For a more detailed guide on this process here’s sanding before painting furniture!
Sanding is even more important when you’re working on a laminate piece. Sanding will help to rough up the shiny surface and allow the paint to adhere better. Make sure to clean up the dust afterward as well, so it doesn’t mix with your primer and paint.
Priming Before Painting Chalk Paint
The next step to prepare your piece for chalk paint is priming. A good primer will not only help the chalk paint to stick better and last longer, but it will also prevent any stains or bleedthrough from ruining your finished look. Check out how to stop stains from coming through paint for a more detailed guide on fixing and preventing paint bleedthrough!
Make sure to choose a stain blocking primer, especially if you’re working with wood furniture that may have tannins or other natural oils that can seep through the paint. And for your laminate piece, here are your best bonding primer for laminate furniture options!
The primer will be the base for your chalk paint, so if the one you use doesn’t have good adhesion, your paint will still just peel off and scratch easily. So take the time to choose a good primer and apply it properly for the best results.
Topcoat Chalk Paint With Waterbased Polyurethane
So you’ve followed all the steps to properly prep your furniture for chalk paint, and you’ve painted your piece with one of these chalk paint colors for furniture. It doesn’t end there! To protect your furniture from scratches and give it a more durable finish, you’ll want to topcoat it with water based polyurethane.
Make sure to use a water based polyurethane because oil based ones can cause yellowing over time and ruin the color of your chalk paint. The matte finish of chalk paint can tend to collect dust, but with a topcoat of poly, you can easily wipe it clean.
With poly, you can also change the sheen level of your chalk paint. Go for satin or glossy if you prefer a more shiny finish, or stick to matte for a chalkier look.
To apply the poly, make sure your paint is completely dry and mix the poly well before use. Apply in the direction of the wood grain and let it dry for a few hours before adding another coat. Two to three coats of poly will provide extra durability and protection for your chalk painted furniture.
For an even smoother finish, you can spray on the poly using a paint sprayer or the spray can version. Here’s all about how to apply polycrylic to painted furniture, and check out this spray polyurethane vs. brush on polyurethane guide to help you figure out the best way to apply water based poly!
What happens if you don’t seal chalk paint?
But do you really need to seal your chalk painted furniture? What if you skip this step and just leave the paint as is? Well, you’re basically letting your chalk paint scratch and chip easily, which is what we’re trying to avoid in the first place!
Without a topcoat, chalk paint is more prone to scratches because it doesn’t have that protective layer on top. It also won’t hold up well against regular wear and tear, making it less durable for everyday use.
On top of that, if you don’t seal your chalk paint, it can also be easily affected by spills and stains. Since chalk paint has a matte finish, it doesn’t have the same level of resistance to liquids as other paints. Spills will seep into the porous surface and leave unsightly marks that can be difficult to remove.
And finally, without sealing your chalk paint, you may also find yourself having to touch up or repaint your furniture more often than you’d like. Any little scratch or chip will stand out and ruin the overall look of your piece. Here’s sealing painted furniture for more helpful tips about sealing furniture.
So if you want to save time and effort in the long run, it’s definitely worth taking that extra step to seal your chalk paint! And of course, prepare your furniture by sanding and priming beforehand. You’ll thank yourself later when your furniture stays looking beautiful and scratch-free for longer.
More Painting Furniture tips
- How to Paint Over Chalk Paint
- How To Distress Chalk Paint
- Smoother Finish With Chalk Paint
- How To Paint Over Chalk Paint That Has Been Waxed
- How To Seal Chalk Paint
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