For instance, dark wax is used when you want to antique and deepen the color, white wax softens the look and tones down the color and clear wax is just for doesn't alter the color at all. These are great questions Amanda! Wax is used as a protective top coat, but depending on the color you use, you can change the look of your painted piece. With a gummy mess! It's always best to distress or sand before adding You experience the best results! If you try to sand too soon, you'll wind up Wax or poly to properly cure before painting it again, otherwise you run theĬan I sand furniture that has wax or poly?Īgain, you can but it's best to wait until the topcoat has fully cured so Yes you can! However, for the best results I would recommend waiting for the Poly will cure much faster than wax, but it'sīest to give your furniture about a week before you start using it! Wait forģ0 days with furniture that you've waxed with a hard wax.Ĭan I paint over furniture that has a wax or poly topcoat? It can take up to 6 weeks for soft waxes to cure, slightly less for the hard How long does it take for wax or poly to cure? No, unfortunately because there is nothing for the poly to grip onto, and it Need to reapply it a couple times a year to achieve the bestĪs with all top coat options, a cure time of about two weeks is recommendedįor the ultimate protection (follow instructions on product). You absolutely can use wax on tabletops, but just keep in mind you will Chairs, benches, picture frames, lamps, decor that Most chalk paint companies offer a paste-type wax as well.īottom Line I recommend a paste wax for items that will get SC Johnson Paste Wax (I've used and like it, it is very inexpensive but it has a very Other popular paste waxes that have been around for decades include The only time I don't follow this step is if the pieceįor right around $10, Minwax Paste Wax is a great option for chalky-painted Waxy clear layer will allow you to manipulate the dark wax and remove some NOTE: When using dark wax, always apply a layer of clear wax first. May have applied, allowing the product to cure and harden. Buffing also removes any excess wax that you Grubby little hands on a daily basis, a poly top coat will give your pieceīuffing works the wax into the chalk paint, and also gives the piece aīeautiful sheen. If your painted furniture will come into contact with water, food and To help you understand when to use a poly top coat, here's a general No buffing! For the best protection, they do With a rag or brush and must be buffed poly top coats are brushed on andĪllowed to dry and cure. The second difference has to do with the application. Offer the ultimate protection for your painted furniture.Ģ. Poly top coats are hands down more durable and I figure you might be wondering this right about now. What is the difference between a wax and a poly top coat? ThereĪre both waxes and polys, and there are times when you might want to use Protection of a topcoat, let's take a look at the products to use. Now that we know why the majority of chalk painted furniture needs the In my 10+ years of painting furniture with chalk paint, I have found severalĪffordable products that can be used to protect your chalk painted furnitureīy enhancing it and helping it to look its best!

With chalk paint will benefit from a top coat. I'll share those in a little bit, but Most furniture that you've painted There are instances when I don't think a top coat is necessary, and This is especially desirable for bright pieces or Protection, a top coat will further enhance the color of your chalk That you can use that retain that matte finish! We'll get to those in aīut the real question is: do you really want to have to paint yourįurniture again in a year or two or five?A top coat is a sealant, it will seal and protect your chalk paint fromīeing ruined by moisture or sticky fingers or even weather. You're absolutely right.we don't want to cover up that great matte, chalkyįinish with something super-shiny and lacquer-like! And there are products Or potentially ruin it with a sealer or top coat. So you may be asking yourself why you would want to cover that up

One of the qualities that sets chalk paint apart is its matte, chalkyįinish.

Behr chalk paint