Sealers for painted furniture

Debra
by Debra
I painted furniture (usually vintage and distressed) and then sale it at flea markets. I have been having problems with sealing my pieces and I am looking for the best product to use. I have all kinds of waxes and poly type products but nothing seems to be working the way I want it to. I do my work in an air conditioned atmosphere so it is not from humidity. For those that also sale their furniture can you please share what works best for you. I thank everyone for any help they can offer.
  12 answers
  • Hi there - If you use an oil paint, use an oil sealer...e.g. verathane. If you use acrylic then polyeurethan works best... If you use chalk paint, use at least 2 coats of wax to seal. I hope this helps!
  • Debra Debra on Jul 28, 2014
    Thank you
  • Anne Thompson Anne Thompson on Jul 28, 2014
    I use Minwax Polycrylic on almost every piece I do. It's water based.
  • Debra Debra on Jul 28, 2014
    Yes I have that. Can you tell me what you do when you apply it, I just seem to be having such problems lately and I don't know what I am doing wrong.
  • Anne Thompson Anne Thompson on Jul 28, 2014
    What kind of problems?
  • Red Rooster Antique Mall Red Rooster Antique Mall on Jul 28, 2014
    If it's over Chalk paint, try Shabby paints Vax and ReVAX. It's completely Non-Toxic and there's no Waxing and no Buffing. www.shabbypaints.com
  • Debra Debra on Jul 28, 2014
    I am just not getting a nice finish on the furniture. Even with the wax I do not get the nice smooth finish and I buff it and buff it. I like that little shine and soft feel of a finished piece. I used to get it and now I just don't know why it isn't working. With the poly I also can't seem to get a good finish. Maybe I am not applying it the right way. How do you apply your wax and or poly?
  • Debra Debra on Jul 28, 2014
    Thank you I will check this out.
  • Alchemy Home Alchemy Home on Jul 28, 2014
    General Finishes water based Polyacrylic has the best finish that I've tried! I love it, and it has worked for me over any water based/chalk paint really well.
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Jul 28, 2014
    i just rebuilt kitchen big table that i chalk painted i used minwax polycrylic to seal it because we have small children i made sure it was free of dust then applied one coat let it dry sanded wiped then did that 2 more times it looks great and is very durable xx
  • Z Z on Jul 28, 2014
    What kind of prepwork are you doing Debra? Have you made any changes lately? Also you need to do light sanding between coats of poly, whether water or oil based and use a tack cloth to remove any particles before doing another coat. Thin coats too. Don't try and hurry it along by using thicker coats. Also it would help us if you told us your process. Maybe we could then find something you are missing.
  • Debra Debra on Jul 29, 2014
    Thank you. I just picked some up today. I found a retailer near me (Connecticut) were I was able to go and pick it up rather than having to order online. They also sell all of their milkpaint, stains, and glazes as well. So of course I had to get some of them as well. I can't wait to use the paint. Thank you for your help