Chalk Paint, Distressing and Sealing For Dummies

I wanted to try some chalk paint.  For the not hip on new DIY trends people, like me, there is a difference between chalk paint and chalky paint.  This is more of a chalky paint for furniture not something I want to make a chalk board out of. I had read it's super easy to use, can go over any surface and is super easy to distress.

I started looking at the boutique kinds of chalk paint and I wasn't sure I wanted to spend the money on those.  Then I started seeing make your own recipes for chalk paint.  I was in!  The best post with the most practical and easiest recipe was this one:

Shabby Creek Cottage

It's basically 4 parts paint to 1 part joint compound or basically spackling.

The oops section.  God, I love it!  This is Valspar's Cornacopia

Stir until smooth.

I've been wanting to re-paint our media console for about three years now but something always came up.  I'm almost embarrassed to show these pictures. This is what three kids and nine years later looks like...

Don't judge me...

I actually got this for free when we moved into a rent house about 9 years ago.  The previous people didn't want it.  I painted it black and it did look decent once upon a time.

This is after a light sanding. And please ignore the mess to the right. Our living room is going through a bit of a transitional period.

So, after I mixed the paint, gave it a good cleaning and a sanding I went to town painting it.

After the first coat

I gave it about 4 hours and then painted again.

It could have used a third coat but I wanted the black to show through just a bit.

The next day I started with the distressing.  I used 120 grit sandpaper.  It was so easy!

What I think really helps with the distressing is starting with a black base coat.

Instead of waxing which is what a lot of people do I used Polycrylic. (Come on what girl LIKES waxing? Ha) It also comes in semi-gloss and gloss.  I thought the clear satin would mimic more of what a wax would look like.

I read this post and was convinced:
Cottage Instincts

All of the other posts I read about waxing seemed a little time consuming, somewhat complicated and kind of expensive.  Also, you do have to re-wax from time to time.

The finished product after two coats of the polycrylic:

See how the black bleeds through?  So easy!

New knobs from Hobby Lobby

Wrap Up:

• Start with a black base, meaning a piece of furniture that's already painted black or slap a coat on before you begin and let dry
• Use the easiest chalk paint recipe ever.  4 parts paint (my paint was a matte finish and I think that's key to the chalky look) to 1 part spakling
• If you choose to distress use 150 to 220 grit sandpaper.  (I did it by hand)
• Use Polycrylic NOT and I repeat NOT polyurethane that will turn your project yellow
• Use at least 2 coats of the Polycrylic
• I finished this project in 48 hours

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