CHALK PAINT® and Milk Paint FAQs

As a rough guide, one quart of Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan covers approximately 150 square feet or the equivalent of a large dresser.

For most purposes, one or two coats of paint are enough. Chalk Paint® adheres to almost any surface, and there is rarely any need to sand or prime before painting.

Before use, tip the can upside down for a few minutes and then shake for about 30 to 45 seconds. Remove the lid and stir well. If the paint is too thick just add a little water and stir.

Most times simply dusting off the surface will do.  Wipe away any noticeable dirt and grime with a safe-to-use biodegradable cleaner and warm water, rinse well with clean water, and let dry completely.

There may be rare times when you’ll need to sand to remove loose paint, rust, and other surface debris, or when the surface is very glossy or made of melamine or laminate.  Use a medium or fine Annie Sloan Sanding Pad and remember to change it out when it becomes clogged; a fresh sheet makes the task at hand easier to accomplish.

Chalk Paint® is typically applied by brush.  Enjoy your painting and don’t be shy – apply the paint liberally.  Some brush marks showing in the finish can be part of the look.

Your brush doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does need to have certain qualities.  The bristles should be fairly long and flexible with a little bounce to allow you to be expressive in your work.  Avoid brushes with bristles that are too soft, too short, or hard and inflexible.  Annie Sloan’s Pure Bristle and Flat Brushes are excellent for applying Chalk Paint®.  They hold lots of paint and are comfortable to hold and easy to work with.

For demonstrations on how Annie Sloan likes to apply Chalk Paint®, visit her website at www.anniesloan.com, where you will find lots of video tutorials for working with her products.

We have 35 colors in the  Chalk Paint® range from soft and pale to bright and strong.  Annie Sloan’s carefully selected range of colors is hugely flexible as you can mix colors together to extend the range and create endless possibilities.

If you want to make a color paler add Old White or Pure White.  Old White will give the color a softer, more vintage feel, and Pure White will make the color more modern.

Find out roughly what ratio you need by experimenting – you could use your fingers to dab and mix colors, or a teaspoon to make small amounts.  For larger amounts you could use a cup or even a can as a measure.  For example, start with a dollop of your chosen color, slowing adding Old White or Pure White.  A dollop of Provence and two dollops of Old White gives you a ratio of 1 to 2, making a lovely pale, slightly aged turquoise like old faded French shutters.  Use Pure White and the color is cleaner and fresher, giving a more vintage 1950’s look!

After painting with  Chalk Paint®, squeeze out as much excess paint from your brush as you can, then wash your Annie Sloan Brush well with a gentle soap and warm water to rinse out all the color.  Hang to dry with the bristles pointing downwards.

Whether you apply Chalk Paint® Wax with the Annie Sloan Wax Brush or Pure Bristle Brush, simply wash your brush with very warm water and grease-cutting soap to clean it and then rinse well.

Use a gentle soap.  Harsh detergents or even solvents may shorten the life of your natural bristle brushes.