Curiosity Shop offers both Wise Owl Chalk Paint and Sweet Pickins Milk Paint.
We are the only Texas distributor for both of these wonderful products.
We get lots questions from customers about using paints so we decided to share our answers.
This is the second set of questions we’ve compiled, click here to see our previous Q&A post.
Curiosity_Shop_Answers_Some_Questions_About_Chalk_Paint
Do I have to seal my piece with wax?
No. You can choose to seal your piece with something else instead; it mostly depends on what you want your final look to be. Wax will give you a flatter older look but is not as durable as a poly. Plus, wax doesn’t last forever. Technically, you’re supposed to reapply wax every few years for the most effective protection.
Polyurethane finishes will give you a glossier look, even the less glossy satin has a glossy finish. If you decide to go with a poly, choose a water-based rather than an oil-based for sealing chalk paint. Oil based will yellow over time, and water-based is a million times easier to clean up. So again, there’s nothing wrong with wax. just don’t want you to think it’s your only option because it’s not. Use what works best for you and suits your piece. Most chalk paint brands say you can choose to leave it unsealed too, but it’s not recommended. Chalk paint is very porous and will pick up stains and look a mess in no time if you don’t seal it with something.
I already put my first coat of paint down and now the stain is bleeding through the paint. What do I do now?
First, take a good look at your piece, do you like the “Bleed thru” look. It can actually make your piece look old and distressed without having to do any special sanding. If you like the look, leave it alone, no one says you have to add a 2nd coat or have complete coverage. Chalk Paint doesn’t require primer but if you are experiencing bleed thru and don’t want that look than a coat of primer is usually your best option. Just apply your primer right over the first coat of paint. Then when it’s dry, continue with your second coat of paint. If it’s just a tiny spot that’s bleeding, just spray the spot with a couple coats of Shellac*, but if you’re getting bleeding in several areas, it’s best to just brush on a coat of primer on the whole piece before you continue painting.
Do I have to distress it?
Absolutely not. Chalk paint distresses beautifully, and it’s the best paint to use if you plan to scuff it up. But you definitely don’t have to distress it. The best advise is paint your piece in stages, taking time to really look after each step to determine if it’s the look you want, many times a completely different look than what you had in mind to start with is what you end up loving.
If I am distressing, do I sand before or after I apply my top coat?
First, it depends on what your topcoat is. If you’re using a poly, you definitely want to distress first. If you’re using wax, then technically you can distress before or after waxing. Distressing before waxing is the preferred technique, and here’s a few reasons why. First it just doesn't make sense to apply a topcoat then sanding it off. How can the piece be protected if the topcoat was just sanded off? And lastly, it’s just easier. to have more control over the distressing when not trying to go through the wax layer. The last and very important reason, the wax completely gunks up your sandpaper. Distressing before wax is the way to go.
Please feel free to stop by Curiosity Shop at 1216 Rock Island Road to take a look at our paint products and also to view some of the furniture pieces we have already painted that are just waiting to go to their new homes. The hardest part about using Wise Owl Chalk Paint or Sweet Pickins' Milk Paint is picking which color you want.
Curiosity Shop is open Monday - Saturday from 10:00 - 6:00 and Sunday from 12:00 - 4:00.
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