Happy Monday to you guys!
Matt and I spent our weekend purging the garage–and let me tell you something: it was hoarder central in there! We barely made it out of there.
Well, a little dramatic, but it. was. bad.
Before we show you the scariness that is our garage’s former reality, I wanted to share some tips on how we got the smooth finish on our laminate table we painted with Chalk Paint®.
I painted the table a little over a month ago, and it has gotten a lot of use. So far, it’s holding up well and I absolutely love this finish. I painted the base 2 coats of Greek Blue, and the the top got 2 coats of a custom mix of Provence and Pure White.
After painting the table, it was time to distress it. I left the base alone, and began distressing the top with a medium grit sanding block (my favorite distressing tool). Using a circular motion, I rubbed the top coat down to the Greek Blue on the edges and corners and a few spots on the tabletop.
Once I distressed the top, I used the extra fine sanding block by buffing in a wide circular motion. This creates a smooth finish and creates some initial shine before waxing.
I wanted to use Miss Mustard Seed’s furniture wax for this table because a) it’s amazing wax and b) I haven’t used it in our home yet, and I’m a product testing fiend! No matter what soft furniture wax you’re using, there are some basic tips that will take your finish to the next (shiny) level.
You can apply wax with a smooth cloth, but man, I just prefer using a wax brush. The shape of the brush allows you to press the wax into the paint, as paints like Chalk Paint and Milk Paint are breathable and porous. This also ensures that you are spreading the wax in thinly enough.
The wax will deepen the color of the paint, and you’ll be able to see easily where you need more wax. I usually work in sections, so for this table, I’d apply a large section, then wipe off that section. Wax stays a little more workable if you work it in, then wipe it off as you go.
This is what your wax will look like after applying it. Here’s where people sometimes go a little wrong if they’re not accustomed to using soft wax.
After it’s applied in a thin layer, then you must wipe the excess off immediately. I like to view it as wiping it into the paint, and buffing in a circular motion as I go. Your waxed piece should feel almost completely dry to the touch and only a little tacky.
If you can wipe wax off after you are “finished,” there’s still too much left on the surface. That’s really all there is to it, folks.
Wax on, wax off.
There you have it. I love this smooth, modern finish. Let me know if you try it, and send us some links or pics!
these are great tips. I’ve been painting with chalk paint for about a year now and i just love it. i haw been wanting to try miss mustards wax and now im sold! thanks for the informative post 🙂
-s.
Hey Sarah! Yes…give it a try! You’ll love it!
🙂
shaunna
HI, love the table but I’m wondering how it is holding up to every day use. I find it so hard to believe that even chalk paint would hold up on laminate and not just scratch off!!
Hey Suzie! Great question…so far, so good. We have small groups at our house, so a bunch of little ones sit around it weekly, plus ours sit there daily. Also, using the extra fine sanding block helps hardens the finish, too. I’m really pleased with it!
🙂
shaunna
Can you use wax over a latex painted surface? I painted a table MONTHS ago with latex semi-gloss and things still “stick” to it, so I thought maybe I could use some funiture wax to seal it… is this possible? a good idea? thanks and your table looks GREAT!
Hey Jenn!
Yeah, latex takes quite a long time to fully cure. You can sure try…although, soft wax is really meant for porous paints like Chalk Paint and Milk Paint. You could rub some extra fine sandpaper over the table first before waxing, and that should help. You don’t technically have to seal latex as long as it’s a pretty high quality and at least Satin in finish…it may just take a while to become less “sticky.” Hope that helps!
🙂
shaunna
I painted a dining room table last fall, aged it with stain and then wiped on four coats of rub-on poly. on the top. It still scratched when someone pushed a plate to the side.
So I put on about four coats of Briwax, buffing after each one. Now, I can easily rub out any minor scratches and the surface is quite hard.
Martha Stewart recommends creating a “traditional waxed latex finish” by using a turpentine-based wax like Briwax or Butcher’s Wax over latex paint in her older book, “Decorating Details.”
Not sure I would do it again. Briwax has a horrible smell and I wore a mask. But I had tried CeCe Caldwell’s wax (which I love) over latex and it didn’t stick well.
Hope that’s helpful.
Hi there,
I just painted a couple of dressers in a good quality eggshell latex paint (hit up the mis-tint shelf). Wondering if I need to use a polycrylic or wax paste over iit? I kind of like the flat look, but am worried about durability.
Thanks!
Jenn, could you give us an update? I too am wondering how to finish a coffee table I painted in latex. I wanted to seal it with something and was wondering if the furniture wax would work. Please let me know! Thanks. 🙂
Hey Crystal! You can use furniture wax, especially Minwax Paste Finishing Wax, with latex, but honestly, other than some whites, a high quality latex is self-sealing and shouldn’t need a topcoat.
🙂
shaunna
Thanks for posting this. I think I should try it. Hope it will work great for me. will surely share my experience with you.
wax on, wax off. got it. thanks for all your tips!
Hi there. Did you just do one coat of wax for your tabletop? Thanks for the great info.
Hey Ruth!
I did…I might go back and add another, but little imperfections don’t bother me much. Plus, I’ve had good results so far with one coat of wax. We’ll see!
🙂
shaunna
I love the hutch and table and love the colors you chose! I really wish I lived closer I would be a regular at your shop for sure! I am in the middle of painting my kitchen walls with chalk paint and wondering…do I have to wax?? That would be a big job and I’m really hoping you day no 🙂
Thanks so much for this post! I have a laminate work table that I was just thinking needed a makeover, now I’m definitely inspired.
Thanks for this tutorial! I’m about to do a few more chalk paint pieces and I needed remedial wax help! 😉 I redid an entire bedroom set for my girls in chalk paint last summer and used Annie’s wax over it. I’m afraid I didn’t do enough Wax Off, though, because the surface just doesn’t feel as “cured” as I thought it should. It still feels a little waxy. it has been a whole year, so I don’t think it’s going to get better. Is there a way to remove some wax or improve this somehow?
Hey Samantha! I think maybe try to wipe the finish with some mineral spirits. This should remove some of the wax. You can also paint straight over the waxed surface with Chalk Paint, too. Hope this helps…and good luck this time…you’ll be fine!
🙂
shaunna
Thanks for the information. This is such a timely post for me. I recently painted an old dresser with a home-made chalk paint mix since I was set on a certain color. The finished texture is not smooth nor is it tacky. It sort of has a rough leathery texture even after waxing and buffing. I’m wondering if I didn’t use enough wax or perhaps this is the result of the diy paint mixture. Although, I think the piece looks nice, I’m worried it may not be protected well. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Thanks for a very helpful post on waxing furniture. I’ve been wanting to try it and you make it look so easy! The table is beautiful…I’ve got a little sample pot of Greek blue paint I want to try somewhere as well 🙂
The table looks so pretty.
I love your blog and your store(although I’ve been in spirit)ha. My daughter and I are doing a table and chairs in Coco and debating the top of the table. After it’s waxed a cured some, if something is spilled on it, does it affect it? How do you clean it.
Thank you for the info. Also, Panama City has always been our family’s fav vaca spot..
Kim
I have used the wax twice and have 2 questions-1) It doesn’t seem to be protecting the paint on my front door very well-I can’t get the lovely shoe marks off graciously left by my 10 year old son-is that normal? 2) I started waxing another door, and the wax was taking off the paint in some areas. I stopped waxing, thinking I might need another coat of chalk paint (I only used 1 coat)-could that be my problem? I love the paint, but can’t seem to get the waxing thing down.
Hey Tamara!
Question: is it an outdoor door? (assuming so), it needs to be left unwaxed. The wax can stay tacky/melt in sun, so it’s not really protecting as much as melting, lol. Also, I’d definitely do 2 coats and that should help!
🙂
shaunna
I’m just starting at being a “Chalk Paint Enthusiast” and I’m having trouble with the Dark Wax. Do you use it? I seem to always make things too dark. I’ve even spread it as thin as possible but it still seems too dark. I’ve thought about mixing the clear and the dark to see if that helps. Any tips?
I just used miss mustard seed wax on my dining room sideboard. I’m not sure how much to put on. I was being very careful not to put to much on, but now I’m thinking I didn’t use enough. Parts of the sideboard are smooth but other parts are rough. Helpppp!
Hey Shaunna! Just wondering what you think of MSS wax? Have you noticed any differences between Annie Sloan’s and MSS’s wax? Thanks!
Hi, I have been reading your blog and I love your site and the work that you do. I need help with the waxing of furniture. I do not have or have bought any of the Annie Sloan waxes, what I have is the Minwax Paste Finishing Wax. Can you tell me if I can use this over chalk paint and how should I apply it? I feel a little confused now on what I should be using without having to by the Annie or another of the brands that are out there. Can you please help?
Thank you
Debbie
Sure, you should be able to, Debra! You can simply rub it on thinly with a cloth, and then buff after about 10-15 minutes.
🙂
shaunna
Shaunna – thanks for the tips! I’ve yet to try painting with chalk paint. We’ve just finished renovating our riverside cottage home & I’m working on mixing old & new into the interior design. I’m trying to decide what color to go with for an old apothecary cabinet. What color is the hutch in the background of this photo? Old Country Grey?
Same issue with me. Most recommend mixing with clear wax, but I still thought it was not enough working time. The purple painted lady (some random blog I came across) recommends thinning the dark wax with a little mineral spirits. Then you just wipe off as you go, or don’t, depending on the effect you want. I tried this and I LOVE it. Gives a very subtle finish. The only other way is to use mostly clear wax with a dab of dark, but that still didn’t solve my problem with the working time. Just seemed to dry immediately. Maybe my house is not humid enough?? Will definitely thin the dark wax with a few drops of mineral spirits in the future, though!
Hi Shaunna,
I love your site. I just recently found it because I googled chalk paint. I’m very pleased I did 🙂
I’m starting a project in my house. My Dad built me pantry cabinets out of poplar wood and I was considering using chalk paint for the first time. I just had a few questions that I’m pretty positive you can answer for me…
I was considering doing a dark grey first, then graphite on top; lightly sanding down the corners so the grey comes through. The question i have is…Will I need to wax before and after the sanding process? If I do this combo idea…will I need 2 coats of the graphite color? I’m trying to make it as dark as possible (near black). I’m so NOT experienced with chalk paint and waxing so any suggestions would be great and appreciated!
Also! can I use a waterbase stain over chalk paint then use the soft wax (if I decided not to do the grey idea and just sand down to wood in areas then stain)?
Trying to figure out which I’d like better.
Thank you in advance!
hi i have splashback its like pvc can i use chalk paint on it and would it b ok in kitchen and do i need to seal it thank u,
Hi There,
I recently painted my dining table with home made white chalk paint. To wax it, I used howard bees waxe ( Orange color), but it stained the table, left oil stain. Was I suppose to use clear wax on white? or It will go off once I brush it out? Will appreciate your help.
Thanks
Noor
Thanks for the great information and videos. You have inspired me to give this a try. I have a kitchen table with a hideaway leaf that folds into itself and hides below the table. Aside from giving it plenty of time to dry before folding it to make the table smaller, anything I should be aware of to keep the middle piece from sticking to itself after waxing?
Keep up the great job!
~ Dorothy
These are great tips. I’ve been painting with chalk paint only little things 🙂 What do you use to cleen brush after wax
Can you use this paint on top of latex paint, or can you only use it on Chalk Paint?
Hi!
I am currently redoing a kitchen table and have a couple questions for you. I am painting the pedestal of the table French Linen from Annie Sloan’s collection. I want to distress it and add some warmth to the areas I plan to distress using the oil based stain I used on the top of the table. Can I use Annie Sloan’s clear wax over the areas I distressed with the stain? I’d hate to do all of that work and find that the stain and wax do not mix well. Thank you!!!
Katie
Love this post…currently attempting a diy chalk paint but I think I’m recommending people to buy them instead if doing a small project. Thanks for this post.
Just wondering did you sand your laminate before you started painting?
Hi – thAnk you for all the wonderful tips. I’ve not yet used Miss Mustard Seed’s or Annie Sloan wax…yet! What is the difference between those waxes and good ‘ole Johnson’s wax (from the yellow tub)?
Hello,
I would like to paint a coffee table with Chalk paint to avoid sanding and save time. However, I don’t like the dull effect of chalk paint even after clear waxing. Can I apply a Minwax stain finish instead of clear wax or/and dark wax?
Hi I am painting a dresser with chalk for the first time and can’t find any wax products in The local stores. Could i use the minwax and is the natural color minwax OK to use?
Hey there Courtney!!
I would honestly recommend Annie Sloan wax, it’s the best I’ve used on the market. 🙂
Hi, I’m new to the milk paint scene and I painted a table, distressed and stenciled before waxing it with 3-4 coats of Minwax paste. But i don’t really like how the top turned out. Can I paint over the wax or do i need to strip it? What do you recommend? Thanks a bunch!
Hi Dana. I would suggest just painting right over it. That is one of the good things about Miss Mustard Seed is that it is very easy to fix mistakes like that! Let us know if you have any more questions or concerns. Happy Painting!
One question I can’t seem to find an answer for…. How long should I wait to wax after painting with chalk paint? After it dries to the touch? A day? A week?
Hi Melonie. You can wax your piece as soon as the paint is dry!
Please help with answer! I have two dressers I painted with latex paint a year ago, then used Minwax paste on them for a finish. I am getting them back as my sister moves to smaller house, I want to paint them differently than she had me paint them, can I just use my newly purchased Annie Sloan chalk paint right on them with no prep steps?
Hi there Cindy!
You sure can. Open that can right up and paint away. 🙂
I am in the process of painting my kitchen cabinets. I have used a Gray Satin latex paint. Can I destress them with the wax? I have been looking online everywhere to figure out if the wax method will work on latex… HELP
I am honestly not sure Savannah! We have had some customers say that Annie Sloan’s wax will not stick to latex very well but we have never personally tried it. The best advice I can give is try it on the back of the cabinet door somewhere it won’t be seen and see how the wax will hold up! Hope this helps 🙂
I just found this blog that i really useful to learn about waxing my wood projects.Thank you for the great sharing