However when they arent able to level out enough, adding water can tend to cause more problems. Latex Acrylic Paints:Īre also often self leveling. You can mist the surface you are working on beforehand, work with a wet brush, thin your paint with water, or simple spray as you work. ~Thoughts from Theaīrush marks in chalk paint and latex paint Chalk Paints:Īre often self leveling unless they are too thick (which can tend to happen over time or even intentionally by the manufacturer. When distressing ANY paint, if you are making the paint particles airborne, wear a dust mask or respirator! It’s so important to protect your lungs from infection as well as possible carcinogens, for this reason MANY prefer wet distress methods. This activates the glues present in the latex paint resulting in a chunky or stretchy removal of larger areas of paint resulting in a lumpy or blotchy finish. Latex Acrylic Paint:Ĭan tend to gum up when distressing. The sooner after application that you distress, the easier it will be and with chalk style paints, the paints will simply “break away” so you work. As the paint cures (dries and strengthens over the next few weeks) distressing will become harder to do and this is normal. May be wet distressed using a damp cloth, sponge, or scrubby or distress after drying with wire brush, sand paper, or your favorite sander (Afflink). The best paint for distressing furniture? Chalk Paints:

~Thoughts from Theaīenjamin Moore Advance Paint over Antique Walnut While priming for adhesion isn’t always necessary, priming for the purpose of sealing the pre-existing stains, oils, or tannin from the wood can be important! Using a stain blocking primer that is made for furniture or even (safely) using shellac can be key for preventing your colors from turning or experiencing “Bleed”.ĪLSO, be weary of any “No prep” sales tactics! The only way you can paint with no prep is by RISKING the quality of your hard work! One of the worst feelings is watching your beautiful finish fail and peel away or begin turning colors because of lack of proper prep. When the proper prep is not given on your piece prior to painting, you can end up with peeling paint. Often requires more sanding and priming for proper adhesion. All in all its easier to get a properly adhered finish with chalk style paints. There are some times when primer may be necessary (ie slippery IKEA furniture with a Teflon coating baked in….) in order to help with adhesion. The minerals and pore space present in chalk paints allow it to grip more slippery surfaces. You can find my favorite paints in my Paint Products Guide Do I have to use a primer for chalk paint or latex paints? Chalk Paint:Īdheres to most surfaces without the need for priming and only a “scuff” sand.

Milk paint vs chalk paint