In my Instructable I want to show you how to use chalked paint to give your furniture a fresh look in a few easy steps.

I like chalked paint because it is easy to use, can be easily distressed, and dries to give you a smooth finish with a nice look. For this project I chose a dining room table and chairs that I bought at a thrift store.

Please feel free to comment below if you have questions or know of a way I could have done this better!

Supplies

Painter's Tape

220 Grit Sand Paper

1-1/2 inch paint brushes designed for smooth surfaces

Linen White Chalked Paint

a Drop Cloth (packing paper too for if you rip holes in the drop cloth like I do)

a Mini Paint Roller Frame

4 inch, 1/4 inch nap paint rollers for a smooth finish (would not recommend using foam rollers for this project - look for white woven)

Matte Clear Protective Top Coat

Step 1: Step 1: Sanding Then Painting

I first lightly sanded the table and chairs using the 220 grit sand paper, wiped off any dust using a damp rag and allowed the furniture to dry for about 15 minutes.

For those who dont know, the purpose of sanding is to give the chalked paint a surface to adhere to on furniture that has been previously finished. - This will give the paint more surface area to bond to!

I then applied a coat of Linen White Rust-Oleum paint to each of the four chairs using the 1-1/2 inch brushes and waited about 3 hours for them to dry before adding a second coat to give them a solid look. The amount of coats you need will vary based upon the paint color you use and the original color of the furniture. I used linen white paint on a dark table and chairs so it took me two coats.

After painting the chairs I used painter's tape to cover metal pieces on the legs of the table, sanded it using more 220 grit sand paper, and applied two coats of the same paint to the table.

I used about 3 cans of the chalked paint for my project (they cost about 18 dollars per can).

Step 2: Step 2: Adding a Protective Top Coat

There are many ways that you can protect your chalked furniture from stains and scratches, one of the most popular being the application of wax to your furniture to finish it. I am a lazy person and did not do that because requires some elbow grease. Instead, I bought Rust-Oleum matte clear protective top coat.

There are two options for this protective top coat, one being a spray can version and the other in a traditional paint can. I know what you're thinking, use the spray can it is way easier and cheaper than the paint can of top coat! In my opinion I find spraying this top coat on furniture to be more difficult than buying a traditional paint can of protective top coat so I went with the latter.

Using a 1-1/2 inch brush, I applied an even coat on the chairs and table to adequately protect my furniture. Do not use a paint roller for the top coat.

*NOTE - this top coat has the potential to set while you are still manipulating it with a brush, leaving some yellow stains on your furniture* If this happens I recommend adding 1 oz of water to it, mixing it together well before applying it to your furniture to give yourself more time to manipulate it before it sets up.

If you see some yellowish staining just sand it down, apply another coat of paint, add a little water to the protective coat and apply it to the furniture again.

Step 3: Enjoy the New Look!

This was my experience using chalked paint, I think the finished product turned out well for what I was looking for. I hope this is helpful and that you enjoy the final product!