How To Wax Chalk Painted Furniture In 3 Simple And Easy Steps

Are you looking for a way to enhance the look of your chalk painted furniture? Then this how-to guide will help you work on your piece in the most effective way.

I love creating DIY projects at home and I absolutely adore using chalk paint. In fact, I use it on my chairs, dresser, and even on my bedroom walls. I started out by painting some of my fixtures without waxing it. However, I discovered that waxing your furniture helps protect the layering of the surface. This way, your paint job will last longer compared to those that aren’t waxed.

Applying wax to your furniture is simple and easy. Learn the steps and procedures and keep your materials handy. Make sure your materials are in good condition before you start waxing your fixture.

Since there are a lot of products in the market, go online and research the best products for your DIY project. Read reviews to give you a better understanding of what works best for you. In the meantime, I’ve listed some steps on how to wax chalk painted furniture in 3 easy steps.

How To Wax Your Chalk Painted Furniture

Once you’ve successfully painted your furniture with chalk paint, here are some steps on how to successfully wax your fixture without any hassles. Just remember that if you are aiming for a full coverage, apply two coatings of the chalk paint to your furniture. Another reminder is if you are trying to target a specific color, applying clear wax can transform your paint a few shades darker.

What you’ll Need:

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Sand your furniture

Since a chalk paint is softer than regular paint, be careful when you are sanding it. Otherwise, if you rub too hard on it, you can expect chalk paint dust particles to scatter all over your furniture. If you are constantly working on DIY projects, you may consider investing on a hand sander for easier sanding.

In some cases, not everyone sand their furniture before applying wax. In my own experience, I often skip this step depending on the furniture I am working on and what type of effect I want to achieve. However, I always sand my project after I apply the wax.

2. Apply wax traditionally

The application of a wax will help seal your chalk paint. One of the best kinds of sealant is a buffed up wax. Since this is the traditional way of waxing your furnishing, you can expect for it to be time-consuming.

Start by applying the clear wax on the surface and wait for it to dry off. Then buff it up with a clean cloth. You can apply a dark wax or a tinted wax using a brush. Then do the same process, wipe and buff it up.

Another option is to apply a dark wax and brush a clear wax on top to create an interesting and distressed look. This creates a protective finish over your fixture.

3. Apply wax the alternative way

In this technique, you spread on the wax and buff it up with elbow grease. The first step is to pour water into a container and place your wax in the water. Wait for a couple of minutes until the wax melts off a bit. Next, use a clean cloth to apply the wax over a portion of your chalk painted furniture.

Before you proceed to the next area, make sure there are no lumps on the surface and make sure your wax is evenly distributed. Once you’ve successfully finished coating your furniture, apply another coat of wax and repeat the process about three times. Just make sure that the wax is completely dry before you apply another coating.

Lastly, use a sander to give your furniture a final touch. Your wax will harden off after a couple of days.

When you are working with chalk paint, there are technically no rules. Chalk paint is easy to apply and is versatile to use in various projects. When it comes to waxing, you can opt to apply it using different techniques. You can even use a spray to wax off your furnishing.

If you want an aging effect, you can polish the surface with a varnish for a tint of yellow. An added bonus is, the varnish protects your furniture as well.

Furniture Paste Wax

A furniture paste wax is popular among by DIY users like us. Since chalk paint provides a flat-finish, it usually requires a top coat to seal it in. Traditionally, polyurethane is often used as a topcoat.

However, it may be a challenge to work with and tends to develop a yellow stain as it ages. It’s harder to touch-up. On the other hand, here you have the furniture paste wax which is a great alternative to polyurethane which actually produces a different effect.

It is usually used for chalk and milk paint and it easily settles down into the paint compared to polyurethane. Therefore it won’t peel off in huge lumps.

Why Waxing Is Essential

Since a chalk paint has a flat finish, once it dries off, it will have a similar effect to a chalkboard. It acts as a magnet for thumbprints and other particles. A wax top coat provides a slight sheen over your chalk paint.

A wax protects the paint from several factors. It resists water stains and doesn’t absorb liquids as easily. It prevents your paint from chipping or peeling off due to wear and tear.

If your furniture is in need of touching up, you are required to sand and wax it. This will provide you with an even and smooth surface to paint on. Remember, if you are painting on a rough surface, your finished product will look uneven and bumpy.

These are just some of the reasons why you need to wax your chalk painted furniture. Now that you are aware of its significance and benefits, as long as you follow the steps above, then you’ll have a beautiful piece of furniture at the end of the day.