FAQ: CHALK PAINTING
FAQ: PRODUCTS + MORE
What is a chalk paint brush?
Chalk paint brushes are brushes specifically designed for use with chalk paint, which is a type of paint that is known for its matte, chalky finish. These brushes are typically made with natural bristles, such as hog/boar hair, which are well-suited for applying chalk paint evenly and smoothly. They are typically larger and fluffier than regular paint brushes, come in various sizes and shapes, and can be used to create a variety of different finishes depending on the technique used. Some people prefer to use chalk paint brushes for painting furniture and other home decor items, as they are able to create a unique, vintage-inspired look.
How to get a smooth chalk paint finish?
If you love the look of chalk painted furniture, but want a smoother, more modern finish with minimal brush strokes, then follow our simple How to Get a Smooth Finish with Chalk Paint guide and start painting like a seasoned DIYer in no time.
How to create textures with chalk paint?
You can use a variety of painting techniques to create amazing textures and patterns. Cross-hatching, stippling, wash, dry wash, blending, and feathering are some of the most popular. It allows you the creative freedom to give each project a unique look and feel. For more info and tutorial examples »
Can I paint with a wet chalk paint brush?
Yes. Any excess water should be removed, leaving the brush damp but not wet. Slightly damp bristles are better suited for applying a smoother and feathered finish. Check out our article: How to Get a Smooth Finish with Chalk Paint.
Does chalk paint require a primer?
No. The beautiful thing about chalk paint is that it requires no primer.
It's also important to keep in mind that over time, leaching off the surface of the wood can cause some yellowing discoloration of surfaces painted with white chalk paint, when a clear coat wax finish is applied over top. Our recommendation is to use a primer to avoid this.
For more info on primer: Pro + Cons: Priming Before Chalk Painting Furniture
Do I need to sand before chalking painting?
In most cases you won't typically need to sand the surface before painting. We do advise lightly sanding with a coarse (#100–#150) grain sand paper or a sanding sponge when working with laminate, varnished wood or glossy surfaces. This guarantees that the paint has a rough surface texture to adhere to.
For those looking for a smooth and modern chalk paint finish, we then recommend going over the surface with a fine grit (#220+) prior to painting. This will help assist with smoothing out any damaged and uneven areas.
What is the difference between clear and dark wax?
Both clear and dark wax add a protective layer to the finished chalk painted surface. We recommend applying a wax, using a natural bristle brush or lint-free cloth, especially if your furniture piece will be in a high use area and/or placed in an area that receives direct sunlight (UV).
Dark wax, as opposed to clear wax, will darken and change the color of the paint. We recommend starting with a thin coat over the surface area first. Then gradually add more (if necessary) until you achieve the desired look. If you use too much dark wax, the surface may look blotchy and uneven. If this happens, simply apply some clear wax to those areas and rub it away.
We strongly advise priming before painting when using a clear wax over lighter colors (such as white). Color leaching from the underside of the wood surface can cause yellowing of the paint.
Note: If you choose not to use a wax, you will need to provide regular maintenance by touching up the paint.
Check out our "Tips + Trick" section for more information and techniques on applying wax.
How do I distress chalk painted furniture?
To distress chalk painted furniture, you can use sandpaper, a sanding sponge, damp cloth, or steel wool to gently rub away the top layer of paint, revealing the underlayer and creating a distressed look. Here are a few popular distressing options: Dry Distress, Wet Distress, Wax Distress (Resist Technique). You can learn more these distressing techniques in our article Distress Chalk Paint Furniture: Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide.
How to prevent bleed through on chalk painted furniture?
Bleed-through is a paint discoloration caused by tannins in the wood. We frequently see this over wooden knots and certain types of wood (especially mahogany), but in reality, any project can bleed through. This discoloration is commonly characterized by a brownish-yellow stain that seeps through the paint and is visible on the top surface. Applying a Shellac-Based Primer before painting is the best way to prevent bleed-through. Water-based primers should be avoided because they too are acceptable to wood tannins bleeding through.
For more helpful info: Understanding Bleed-Through Solutions
How long does it take for chalk paint to dry?
Depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment, chalk paint typically dries in between 30 and 45 minutes. Avoid applying the paint too thickly, as this will slow the drying time and may result in potential peeling and/or cracking later on.
What is the curing time for chalk paint?
Chalk paint typically takes around 30 days to fully cure, so while you can use your newly painted furniture right away, it's best to handle it with care until the curing process is complete. To prevent damage, avoid placing the item in high-traffic areas or damp environments like kitchens or bathrooms.
How do you remove wax without sanding?
It is a relatively easy process to remove a protective finish wax. You'll need a lint-free cloth, mineral spirit (preferably odorless), and some elbow grease. Apply Mineral Spirits to the cloth and rub into the surface with some pressure to remove the wax in an open air environment. We strongly recommend wearing gloves during the removal process.
Can you paint fabric and upholstered furniture with chalk paint?
Yes. The versatility of chalk paint allows it to be used on almost any surface, including fabrics and upholstery. Upholstered items such as dining chairs made of cotton or linen fabrics produce excellent results. With a little patience and proper prepping, a fabric loveseat or armchair, as well as faux leather, leather, or vinyl, produce amazing and eye-catching results.
How do I clean chalk paint brushes?
A mild grease-cutting dish soap or hair shampoo and conditioners can work well. Over time, the use of standard dish soaps will cause the bristles to dry out and become brittle. If you rinse your brush immediately after painting, just warm water is often enough to do the job effectively. But the use of harsher solvents on your natural bristle hairs will cause unwanted breakage and shedding. We recommend our handmade cleaning and conditioning bristle soap created especially for natural bristle chalk paint brushes. With ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter and lye, your brush will keep in top perfoming shape. Don’t expect a ton of suds, just superior cleaning and conditioning power. You can also find additional details on cleaning and maintaining your brushes on our How to Properly Clean Your Chalk Paint Brush page.
Do you have any chalk painting tips for beginners?
For those who are new to chalk painting, we recommend our simple to understand Chalk Painting Tips 101 for Beginners. It will help you understand the processes and get you started on your creative journey of painting furniture with chalk paint.
Do chalk paint brushes shed?
With any new natural hair bristle brush it’s perfectly normal to have a few loose bristle hairs, even after prepping the bristle head. When you are ready to start using your brush and before you start painting, we highly recommend prepping the brush properly to avoid unnecessary shedding. This will assist in removing any loose or rogue hairs and is something that should be done prior to painting. Once your brush has gone through its break-in period bristle loss will be nominal with proper ongoing maintenance. We recommend reviewing our Chalk Paint Brush Care page for more details on prepping and maintaining your chalk paint brushes.
What types of paint or waxes can I use with a chalk paint brush?
Our brushes are purpose-designed to pick up, hold and distribute latex, acrylic paints, chalk paint®, chalked based, fusion, mineral, and milk paints beautifully as well as most wax (cream, clear, dark, or soft) brands.
Including the following paint and wax product brands: Annie Sloan, Rustoleum, Renaissance, FolkArt, Martha Stewart, Fusion Mineral, Dixie Belle, DecoArt, Waverly, Retique It, Miss Mustard Seed, Valspar, Ronseal, Chalky, Minwax, and many more brands.
DIY Homemade Recipe - Make your own custom chalk paint or clear wax at a fraction of the cost of major brands.
• Chalk Paint Recipe
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Clear Wax Recipe
Do chalk paint brushes leave brush strokes?
Yes, you can definitely have brush strokes if using a heavier paint like chalked paint. One of the unique features and benefits of applying heavier paints (chalk, fusion, and milk paints), using a natural hair bristle brush, is that it inherently gives you that traditional vintage style charm, look and feel. Many of those things are based on the textures that you can create with heavier paints. You can create amazing looking texture primarily using a natural bristle brush.
If you’re looking for a smoother finish read our helpful article: How to Get a Smooth Chalk Paint Finish
What are the differences between each chalk paint brush?
Our brush set are designed for large and small painting and waxing projects. Our customers have found that having a variety of brush styles and sizes together in one set to be extremely beneficial to completing their projects without delay.
Our Brush Guide will help you better understand what each brush can do for you.
Are chalk paint brush bristle hairs natural or synthetic?
Our chalk paint brush bristles are made from pure natural boar hair. We chose boar hair because they are capable of holding a large amount of paint and are fantastic with spreading heavier to thicker paints (i.e. chalked base and milk paints) smoothly and evenly over synthetic bristles.
Check out our latest article Benefits of Using a Natural Boar Hair Brush for more information.
What are the benefits of using a natural boar hair bristle brush?
Chalk paint is a popular choice for those looking to add a rustic or vintage touch to their projects, and using a natural boar hair brush can enhance the overall look and feel of your finished piece. Here are some benefits of using a natural boar hair brush with chalk paint:
Natural boar hair brushes are known for their ability to hold a large amount of paint, which can help to reduce the number of times you need to stop and reload your brush while working.
These brushes are also known for their ability to distribute paint evenly, which can help to create a smooth and consistent finish on your project.
Natural boar hair brushes are gentle on surfaces and can help to reduce the risk of damaging delicate areas or leaving brush marks.
These brushes are environmentally friendly, as they are made from natural materials that are biodegradable.
Natural boar hair brushes can also be more durable and long-lasting than synthetic alternatives, which can save you money in the long run.
Overall, using a natural boar hair brush with chalk paint can be a great choice for those looking to achieve a professional-quality finish on their projects. The gentle bristles and ability to hold and distribute paint evenly can help to create a smooth, consistent finish that is both beautiful and durable.
Check out our latest article Benefits of Using a Natural Boar Hair Brush for more information.
Do boar hair bristles have an odor?
It's not uncommon for natural hair bristles, like boar hair, to have a slight musty odor. Over time the smell will dissipate. Our brush bristles are double-washed during production but after a couple cleaning and wash cycles any remaining odor shouldn't be noticeable. You should always let your brushes throughly dry in an open area before being put away to avoid what some may refer to as the wet dog smell.
On the rare occasion, a stronger smell can be associated to the natural ingredient, Camphor (Bhimseni Kapoor), used to clean and eliminate insects and germs found in natural hair. Camphor is derived from trees/plants and has an inherit strong odor. Camphor is also commonly found in popular vaporizer brands for its healing agents. The smell will naturally dissipate over time or after a few rinse and cleaning cycles. For those who wish to minimize the smell we recommend soaking just the bristles (not the ferrule) in vinegar or water/baking soda for roughly 10-15 minutes and then rinse and clean.
How do I keep chalk paint brush bristles from fanning out?
Boar hair bristles will naturally want to fan out over time. To prevent this, we recommend training your brush after every washing. It's a simple process and should resolve the bristles from fanning. After cleaning your brush, let your brush dry on a flat surface, wrap the bristle head using a cotton cloth, a household rag or a paper towel so the bristles retain their shape. This will help train any bristles that want to fan out to straighten up. Alternatively, you can apply a rubber band gently around the head of the brush or apply masking or painter tape, with the sticky side facing out, around the head of the brush. We recommend reviewing our Chalk Paint Brush Care & Maintenance page for more details on caring for your brushes.
Do brushes come with a warranty?
Yes, all of our brushes come with a 30 day limited-warranty. At Vintage | Tonality we want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase, and this includes your item(s) being free from defect. If you have any issue with the product material or workmanship we want to hear from you. We will work hard to resolve the issue in a timely manner and make the process hassle free.
Offer free shipping?
Yes. We offer free shipping on all orders. Orders will normally ship within 1 business days (Monday thru Friday) and you can generally expect to receive your item(s) within 3-7 business days. Please review our Shipping and Handling page for more details.
What is your return policy?
You can set up a return for most new and unused products within 30 days of its delivery. For more details, please review our Standard Return and Exchange Policy.
How do I cancel my order?
We process orders quickly and most orders ship out same day. You have roughly 30 minutes from order submission to cancel an order. After that time, we cannot cancel the order. If you need to cancel an order, please contact us immediately and be sure to include your order/transaction number. If your order has already shipped, please review our Standard Return and Exchange Policy.
Are you an environmentally friendly company?
We are continually looking for new methods and practices to reduce our overall impact. Our environmentally friendly printed materials and packaging box sets are printed with recycled inks and made entirely of recycled, recyclable, reusable, and naturally biodegradable materials. To reduce unnecessary waste, we've implemented a company-wide recycling program.
We have also decided to use the natural extraction of Camphor (Bhimseni Kapoor) derived from trees and plants, which is used to clean and eliminate insects and germs found in natural hair, rather than the less expensive and chemically produced Camphor extracted from turpentine. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our overall impact and are committed to leaving the world a better place for our children.
Are you affiliated with Annie Sloan?
No. Our brushes work great with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan® but we have no affiliation and make no legal claim to their brand, products or services.
© 2024 All rights reserved. Vintage Tonality® is a registered trademark in the US & UK.
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