Chalk paint question...

Amy
by Amy
Hello, I want to paint an end table with chalk paint, but since I have poochies I would like to make sure the "top coat" is super strong. With this type of paint, can I use polyurethane on top, or do I have to use a wax??? Any suggestions ? THANKS!
  19 answers
  • Stephanie Fudge Stephanie Fudge on Jul 26, 2015
    I use water based poly over my homemade latex chalk paint and it works great. 2-3 coats lightly sanding in between. Gloss gives it the strongest protection but I like the satin the best.
  • ...I would use the poly sealer over it, as suggested by Stephanie.. I recommend using ..Polyacrylic...not polyurethane...I also opt for the satin finish, it gives a better look, ( IMO ) and have used it over chalk paint, even in a hair salon. It will hold up :) Please keep us updated on your project !
  • Teri Broberg Teri Broberg on Jul 26, 2015
    The product that I use is Safecoat Polyureseal BP Satin. It works great. It may not be widely available, however. The important thing for me is that it doesn't yellow since I use a lot of white paint. Also, it is nontoxic. CeCe Caldwell has several nontoxic products that work also. For products readily availiable at big hardware stores, what I have read is to use polycrylic, not polyurethane. Otherwise, it will yellow.
  • Red Rooster Antique Mall Red Rooster Antique Mall on Jul 26, 2015
    I use Non-toxic, VOC Free Shabby Chalk Acrylic Paints and Top Coats for all my painting projects. Safe for you, your family, your pets and the environment. Go to www.shabbypaints.com for more information.
  • Minwax polycrylic (water based ) is my favorite product for stealing my chalk paint creations. Comes in a variety of finishes from satin to high gloss, easy cleanup quick dry time and you can wax under it or over it or skip wax completely. Polyurethane tends to yellow I have found, but the polyacrylic has yet to do so on me and it is both heat and till resistant meaning a cold drink or a hot plate is not going to damage the finish.
  • Hel1724275 Hel1724275 on Jul 26, 2015
    I have the same problem here having 6 Boston Terriers. Is that a BT in the pic, if so could you post a full pic as I just adore them, many thanks
  • Heidy Heidy on Jul 26, 2015
    I have done several pieces with chalk paint but never use wax as a top coat. Wax is not a permanent sealer, actually it has to be reapplied every once in awhile. I use Varathane matte finish water based sealer on my chalk paint projects. It's fabulous! and maintains the chalky look that I love. 2 or 3 coats does the job well.
  • Sally Sally on Jul 29, 2015
    You really can use either one...
  • Kathy Peterson Kathy Peterson on Jul 29, 2015
    I use Minwax Polycrylic on my Windsor chairs that I painted with milk paint.
  • 9530106 9530106 on Jul 29, 2015
    The wood of your table is so rustic and beautiful- would be nice just cleaned up and sealed, too!
  • Silvana Marquezi Bueno Silvana Marquezi Bueno on Jul 29, 2015
    verniz para concreto aparente
  • Harley Harley on Aug 01, 2015
    Amy: If you using Annie Sloan chalk paint- which I have used for the past 8 years or some of the other makers- like CC's- I would recomended sealing the paint with clear wax once it is dry and lightly buffed it will last for years. The reason for it is- if you dont seal it with wax- anything you put on it will be absored by the paint- I talking with experince here- I finish each pices of furniture with 3 coats of stain lacquer, or if you want to plastic coat it with a poly, then the same thing appiles- the only way around this is to use AS water base lacquer. Milk paint is a different medium- its not chalk paint. Be sure to age and disstress it before you appile your finish coat. To see any of my latest project using chalk paint go to - www.pinterest.com/mcguyvor- and check out "My Project board"
    • Katerina Stepovikov Katerina Stepovikov on Aug 01, 2015
      @Harley I can't get my head around what happens to dining / kitchen tables done with chalk paint and waxed. Ours is used all day , everyday, from bringing in the groceries to crafting , sewing water , tea, coffee milk spillages , frequently !! Surely chalk paint and waxing don't stand up to that kind of use. Can someone enlighten me please ?
  • Susen Gail Susen Gail on Aug 01, 2015
    Perhaps you could leave the top as is? Then chalk paint the rest. Just a thought. Happy Decorating. susen
  • Susen Gail Susen Gail on Aug 01, 2015
    Perhaps you could leave the top as is? Then chalk paint the rest. Just a thought. Happy Decorating. susen
  • Faye Rickerson Faye Rickerson on Aug 01, 2015
    We used polyu ( can't spell polyu----) on our homemade chalk paint and it seems to be holding up . Suggest at least two coats for high traffic areas.
  • Harley Harley on Aug 01, 2015
    Like I said- You have to use the wax to seal the paint before you put any kind of "clear" finish on it with the exception of AS water base lacquer. A sealer is a sealer, not a protection, I have tried all clear sealers and have not had good luck on a paint table top. But then again most of my table tops (dinning) are stained finsihed. Other wise what ever medium you use for clear protection will be absored into the chalk paint. Now 50 to 100 years ago, wax was the only clear protection for wood, whither it was paint on or stained. Most stain (fine) furniture from 1892 to 1967 usually had from 15 to 30 coats of wax. That is it, ploy's and Lacquer where not aviable nor was "anything water base" Once wax drys into a paint surface, especially Chalk paint, it will be there for a very long time. The French came up with Chalk paint in the mid 1600's, and wax was the only medium to seal then and now. All commerical made chalk paint is made with calcium-bicarbonate. If you use unsanded grout- in latex paint its "Not" chalk paint nor using plaster of paris- that is plaster of paris paint. Farm tables used everyday with chalk paint begin to age and distressed naturally- thats what makes them so attractive to the public and to DYI- True Chalk paint allows any DYI to paint any surface without any form of prep work other than wipping the dust off or any oil and grease that maybe on the surface. If you want a painted finish no distressed in the surface or on the edges, then paint it with milk paint or latex and put poly coat on it, it will harden but you better makes sure that when you put poly on or high traffice Urethane that in the following years that you are still going to love it after 15 to 20 years later, other wise its all got to come off- Unless of course you paint it with Chalk paint and distress it like what I do, giving that item a real old multicolor painted finish..But I can do that in a weekend with chalk paint.- hope that helps- check out my pinterest page- all the furniture in "my Projects board" are items I picked up in the trash. Harley
  • Noni Noni on Aug 01, 2015
    After painting with chalk paint you can seal it with a water based polyurethane clear varnish nake sure it is non yellowing, give it a couple of coats and lightly sand between coats.
  • Silvana Marquezi Bueno Silvana Marquezi Bueno on Aug 02, 2015
    Ajudar a responder a essa pergunta ...verniz parta concreto aparente, totalmente transparente, não muda a cor da peça.Mas só cera tambem resolve .