How to Paint with Chalk Paint

Have you seen all the really good pins on Pinterest that make redoing furniture look super easy with chalk paint? Me too.
This tutorial will help you feel more confident when concurring with your DIY projects using chalk paint. It is easy and makes furniture or anything wood really, look even cuter.
I thought I would start by doing something simply because I had two little helpers with me. Annabelle is 3 and Ella is 2 and they wanted to help mommy paint so bad.
This post does contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through one o my links I may earn a small commission.

1) Buy the right tools
Projects are always easier if you have the right tools. Unfornutenlty, I do not live near a store so I tend to always buy everything off of Amazon.
Above is the brush I bought off of Amazon, as a pair. This brush is for the chalk paint. It goes on smooth and the bristles aren’t too dry. It is such a good brush!
The other brush in the set is for the wax. Pictured below. And the link to see those on Amazon is below as well.
These brushes are easy to clean and work great. I am sure other brushes would work fine too but I liked these ones for this project.
I did buy the paint and wax on Amazon as well. I shared those items below.


2) Paint Your Item with Chalk Paint
I bought this wood spindle already cut in half from a garage sale for $5. A score! My plan was to paint them, distress them and use them in my bedroom.
The wood was already smooth so I did not need to sand it. The girls and I got to painting. It did not take long at all to paint the first coat. It was pretty messy like most projects with toddlers end up being.
I let it dry and decided it needed another coat. Two coats were plenty.
Below are the colors available from Rustoleum in chalk paint finish.

3) Sand and Distress
As you can see above I used a small piece of sandpaper (sorry not sure the grain) and sanded the pieces. I sanded a little more in certain areas to get the worn look. Took about 5 minutes to do both.
I then dusted them off and switched out my plastic wrap underneath for the wax.

4) Apply Wax
How to Paint with Chalk Paint
This part was the easiest and pretty cool to see as well. I used the paste (pictured on the right) and the brush I posted above and spread it all over the pieces.
The paste was a bit thick but went on really easily. I chose a natural color. It added a bit of a creamy aged look to the white chalk paint I chose. There are a ton of different chalk paint colors and wax colors to pick from. That is up to you what colors you want.
I used a paper towel to wipe the excess off. That’s it. The wax made the spindle pieces look more polished.



candy
I like the look of chalk paint but have never tried using it before. Now I know what kind of brush and what to do and how to use chalk paint.
Jen
This was one of the best chalk paint posts I have ever seen. I am feelings so inspired now! And I love how you’ve repurposed these pieces and put them on your wall. Awesome!
Lara
I have been wanting to do a chalk paint project for the longest time, but keep putting it off because I am so nervous about it! I definitely will try it now!
Bethany
I’ve been wanting to paint my daughters bookshelf with chalk paint. I think I need to give it a try! Chalk paint makes me nervous, haha.