Also how long do I wait until the paint dries to apply the sealer. I love it – both for modern pieces and ones that I distress and age. I have used wax over satin paint and it works, but just not in the same way as when you seal a flat or porous surface like chalk paint with wax. Thanks!! I have never used the rustoleum chalked topcoat and when I I would go over the clearcoat with 220 grit sandpaper to rough it up slightly – clean it off and then apply a thin coat of Polycrylic. Overview: Acrylic paint dries to a hard finish and is good for cabinets or other furniture that will get heavy use. I have sanded, painted it, distressed (via sanding), and then dark waxed it with Valspar Dark Satin Acrylic Satin Acrylic Antiquing Wax. A coat of poly can make your painted furniture look as good as new for a long time. When using any wax, less is more, so apply only a thin coat, buff well and then add another thin layer to build up to the sheen you want. :-) Polycrylic is a water-based poly, it will not yellow over time. By the way, I used Duck Egg Blue (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint) on the sample boards. Curing is more about the paint/wax becoming hard and durable. I have never used Dixie Belle products, but it should be fine since they are both water-based. The problem is simply a finicky product that takes skill to master. I did a large dining room table with 2 leaves and it turned out soft and waxy looking but it’s tough. Hi Lori – Is there going to be a cushion on the bench? It comes in all sheens so you can get the sheen you want for the finished look. This is a mistake. Clean off the surface well with detergent and hot water to remove and residue of soap and dirt. This time I did a poly and I am so disappointed with the finish. I never use it on furniture. I painted these pots with acrylic craft paint to stack out front to add some color to my front porch. Big mistake. If the wax is cured and not tacky, you can simply use chalk paint over it. Roll on with a small foam roller a very thin coat of Bonding primer, let dry over night. I used the wax. I would assume the wax would resist any new paint/primer. Thanks for sharing your process. Scratch-Resistant Top Coat for Painted Wood Furniture. If you want to seal your paint, you could try using a water-based polyurethane like Minwax Polycrylic, but I don’t think it will adhere well because the paint is semi-gloss. This was very helpful! Sand any ridges. All of your tips are great. 1 – Wax. Can I use a Poly rub on sealant so it will not chip. I am not a fan of sealers called clear coats, tough coats, wipe-on poly, soft varnish, or cream wax products. If you use an oil-based formula, it will yellow. 66 Comments. A couple years ago, I used homemade chalk paint to paint a small desk and sealed the top with Minwax Poly. You can check out all of their sealers and finishes HERE. When painting anything, except a wall with flat, eggshell or satin paint, you should always seal it with a water-based polyurethane. Polyurethane offers great durability and protection to your painted furniture over a long period of time. It is inexpensive and works great. I’ve had a long love affair with Chalk Paint. This post has helped me better understand using wax as a top coat! This means though that Tough Coat is a great option for areas that may get wet because it will repel all of that water right off the finish. I just painted an end table eggshell sheen in black. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog or to like us on social media for more weekly post on furniture and fun DIY projects . (not high touch area) ( I will leave plenty of time to dry) If you do need to seal or wax over I flatten a big cardboard box to make a dropcloth to place the furniture on. The blue desk is stunning and looks truly professionally done. Everyone that has painted furniture will have their own preferences. It comes in a few different sheens. I prefer wax, but it does take some buffing to get it to a sheen, but once you do, it looks great and will cure to a hard finish in a few weeks. (please don’t say sand in between…) You apply a thin layer and buff it well with a soft cloth to bring out the shine. I have painted lots of pieces with chalk paint and a wax sealer. Lesson learned :-). A beautifully painted wood surface can be quickly ruined if it is not properly protected. Thank you in advance. Moreover, both oil- and water-based polyurethane can be brushed on, so you don't need expensive spray equipment. If no, then what to use to get a gloss finish? Any suggestions? It was easy to buff to a sheen. I just painted kitchen cabinets and my kids/husband WILL NOT be careful when using them. So you use wax over poly? Tough Coat is a matte polyacrylic, and so instead of settling down into the pores of milk paint, it will sit on top of it–think nail polish, instead of lotion (which would be the wax or hemp oil). It came out beautifully and was easy to achieve. Consider this guide the holy grail for just that. My mistake turned out to a big win – I hope your project turns into something you love. Thanks – it is good to know that you found the post helpful :-) Since I have been writing about the topic for years and there are hundreds of other blogs and websites that post about furniture painting, it is hard to know what is helpful for readers. It’s the most common type of top coat finish. This was such a fun and helpful read! A fresh coat of paint can give almost any wooden piece, such as furniture, cabinets or room trim, a much needed face-lift. Thank you so much!! I liked this product. Sometimes it takes a new skill that takes time to learn. If you do use Polycrylic, make sure to get the satin finish. The wax penetrates and protects. Johnson’s Paste Wax – Is a bargain at around $7 a can and works great. You can see it here: http://bit.ly/2YJe0Vm. Meaning you do not have to apply another top coat or sealer on top of your metallic paint. To keep the matte finish and keep the paint looking nice, you should seal it with a matte or flat water-based polyurethane. If you use flat paint, you can use wax to seal the painted surface. But also want to be very safe. Finishing Metal Furniture. If it looks good and doesn’t remove the paint, then it will be OK to use. Is it a problem in highly detailed areas? 5. The cubbies and shelves have a painted wood back so lots of corners and tight spaces to buff. Just be gentle with the surface for a week or two. I always wait about a day after buffing. Thank you for answering my questions in such detail. Let me know if you have any other questions. So our bed turned yellow. It doesn’t have to be totally cured to move. I would use Polycrylic in a satin finish that is not shiny. I’m still giggling over this article, mainly because of the timing. Any tips??? First one up is the General Finishes Water-Based Urethane Topcoat. And the Ready Seal 112 Exterior Stain and Sealer is the very first recommendation in our best sealer for painted outdoor wood furniture reviews. Understand when to wax and when to poly! Have a great weekend. But if you are working on a project where you do need a sealer then make sure to check out The Best Method for Sealing Painted Furniture. If you use gloss paint, you do not have to use a sealer. Thanks! To finish we used a water based polyurethane in semi-gloss and now there are white streaks on the newly painted blue wood! Also wondering how best to protect it to keep the matte finish? This causes streakiness. I want to put a sealer on it but reading your article you wrote that some do not do well with dark colors. We tested more than 15 brands and choose 7 best wax for chalk paint in 2020.Top coat for furniture, paste, clear or dark. Thank you! Incredibly helpful instructions, as always! Polyurethane. I liked the Fusion Mineral Paint Furniture Wax I used on the desk, but I also like the furniture waxes pictured below. This is my main concern with a wax. HI Diane,! I would use Minwax Brush on Polycrylic. January 2020 Don’t allow your furniture to be ruined by the normal wear & tear of everyday life! Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. And secondly, how long do you need to let the paint cure before it’s safe to move it back inside and “merchandise” the top, as Christopher Lowell used to say. And knowing which woods will work best for a painted finish will help you choose the least expensive option. A coat of poly can make your painted furniture look as good as new for a long time. Let me know if you have any more questions – always happy to help. googletag.defineSlot('/107373944/InMyOwnStyle_Native', [[300, 250], [500, 250], [500, 350]], 'div-gpt-ad-1414094061888-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); I’ve been painting and There are two ways to paint over a waxed finish. I love the idea of a tinted wax that could give depth but it’s my first rodeo and I’m overwhelmed. If I were painting a dining room table I would use a sealer or top-coat over any paint type. We just painted a bathroom wood vanity. Watch my new topcoat video here 👉https://youtu.be/CbZJCWllcl4My favorite top coats for chalk paint or furniture paint are … This means though that Tough Coat is a great option for areas that may get wet because it will repel all of that water right off the finish. Wax is a top coat that helps seal in the paint and provides good protection from spills, liquids, etc. And since it’s not a wax could I put a coat of the Polycrylic over the Dixie Belle clear coat? It's important to brush polyurethane slowly -- especially the water-based variety -- because brush turbulence tends to form bubbles. The gloss finish is tough, wipeable and acts as a sealer all on its own. Now it is time for a third coat. It would be like giving all the surfaces one more coat. Another thing many think you need when you are waxing to seal a piece of painted furniture is a lot of wax to create a durable finish. You used Minwax Polycrylic on your light colored bathroom cabinet. I love the way the flat paint looks, but I am afraid it will be scratched and not wear well so want to toughen it up a little. It originally was a cherry wood and had the ‘red’ color look for the seat. I can attest to this… it does. Once in place in your home, be gentle for a few days to a week with it. All of these factor into how a painted piece will turn out. Filed Under: Furniture Makeovers, Furniture Painting Tips. The clear coat should be usable on all kinds of products and surfaces, should be the quick-drying product, should last longer, and provide a glossy and clean look. Tried to sign up, got no confirmation text. Super pretty color. That is one nice thing about wax, you can add and buff on another layer at any time and it will all be seamless. Occasionally, if something has a lot of intricate details I'll use a spray matte poly finish. Thank you! I really liked it. I used in on the sideboard I painted turquoise. Hope you have a great weekend. I am going to apply another layer of paint – not sure if the finish choice matters at this point? Continue over the entire piece to remove all the wax. It costs around $20. I used a poly coat on top bc I wanted a bit more shine and better protection especially for a sitting area. 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