Here's How We Prepped & Painted
You'll Need:
- Dirtex Cleaner
- Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan Athenian Black
- Annie Sloan Clear Wax
- Annie Sloan Paint Brush
- Annie Sloan Wax Brush
- Shop Clothes or Cotton Rags
We cleaned the dresser inside and out with Dirtex. It's an all purpose cleaner that removes dirt and grime with just a wipe. No rinse necessary and it's perfect for our furniture projects as well as a general household cleaner.
We used blue painters tape to protect edges that we did not want painted and also it helped give us crisp lines between painted and unpainted areas. Next, two coats of Athenian Black. Dry time between coats depends on how much moisture is in the air and temperatures. In summer, we often can paint a second coat in 1/2 an hour or so. Cold and rainy weather will be a longer dry time between coats. In any case, it's usually same day. Chalk Paint® dries quickly. And, for this entire project, we only used about 1/4 of the litre tin. If you are wondering how much Chalk Paint® you'll need for your project, read our blog on How Much Chalk Paint® For Your Project.
After painting two coats, we sealed and protected with Clear Wax by Annie Sloan. Waxing is an easy process. Apply with a wax brush and remove any excess. Remember this tip ~ less is more! You don't need an overload of wax - it was made to absorb into the Chalk Paint®. The finish is a beautiful matt sheen. If you want a little more shine, wait 24 hours and buff with your shop cloth or lint free cotton rag. The wax will dry overnight and it takes about 2-3 weeks to fully cure and harden. Just be gentle with your painted piece while it's curing.
The vintage hardware on the dresser was so beautiful and it had a patina that we did not want to lose. We just washed them in warm water with a bit of Dawn dish soap. We re-installed the hardware and hope this beauty will be around for another 60+ years!
Happy Painting ~ rachel + gail