How To Paint A Fabric Chair With Chalk Paint? Easy Step-by-step Guide

Here are the five steps for painting a fabric chair at home with chalk paint, so grab your paint and brush and get ready to be creative! This do-it-yourself guide will show you how to paint a fabric chair like an expert.

If you’re thinking of replacing your current fabric chair because you feel like it’s lacking in plushness and looks dated, You may take your time and see if you can give the chair a new look by repainting it. You’ll gain knowledge while reducing financial strain.

What Is Chalk Paint?

As its name suggests, chalk paint is a type of paint with a flat, powdery appearance. It gives you a slightly rougher texture that may be sealed with a variety of materials and techniques. (Blackboard paint, which can be used to transform any surface into a makeshift chalkboard, is not the same thing as chalk paint.)

Its use in interior design is on the rise, particularly for painting wooden furniture. Its casual, endearing style is well suited to rooms with a more rustic or retro aesthetic.

Shabby chic and modern farmhouse are two other styles that are often associated with chalk paint.

How Is Chalk Paint Used?

Walls and furniture are frequently painted using chalk paint. It’s a popular choice for do-it-yourself painters going for a country or retro vibe because of the one-of-a-kind effect it creates.

Because chalk paint dries to a matte sheen, it needs to be sealed in order to protect it from dirt, fingerprints, and general wear and tear. Wax or other poly sealants can be used to protect chalk paint. It is recommended to test your sealant in an inconspicuous area to ensure you are satisfied with the results before applying it everywhere.

Its rising popularity can be attributed in part to the fact that using chalk paint doesn’t necessitate any priming or sanding.

Painting Fabric Chair With Chalk Paint

You may paint your fabric chair in 5 easy stages with chalk paint:

Step #1. Prepare

You should get your brushes, tape, bucket, chalk paint, chair, and the surface you’ll be painting on ready before you do anything else. If you can’t go to an open area, at least put down some sort of protection for the floor.

It’s a good idea to clear out your chair before you sit down. Dust and lint can prevent paint from adhering, so remove them by brushing or vacuuming. You will have a huge mess on your hands if you try to paint on a chair that has dust and lint on it.

Step #2. Mark out

The painting procedure can now begin, but only after you’ve taped off the parts that will not be painted. Using the tape, you may seal off the area you’ve designated so the dye can’t seep in and stain it.

Tape should be positioned properly. Be sure that there are no paint splatters anywhere.

Step #3. Mix your paint

If you’ve already marked off the areas to be painted, then you can get right to work. Get the chalk paint ready.

It needs to be completely combined in the bucket or tray. Chalk paint can be thinned out with a few drops of water, or made in a separate container.

To avoid slipping, it’s a good idea to dampen your chair before beginning to paint. It will be much simpler to paint the chair if you dampen it first.

Step #4. Paint

It’s painting time now. It’s easier to monitor your progress and keep things orderly if you paint from the top down. Brushes should be dipped in water before being used to apply chalk paint, and any excess paint should be wiped off in a tray or bucket before use.

For a uniform finish, apply thin coats of chalk paint to the chair’s fabric. Do a complete job of painting; don’t skip any spots.

Make careful to also paint over any creases in your chair. Repeat the method several times.

Inspect the walls to see if any spots are missing paint. If there is none, then it can just be left to dry.

Step #5. Finish

The painting is finished, and it’s time to put the finishing touches on. Refining the paint with fine sandpaper made for fabric is one of the advised last touches. This would be helpful for leveling the surface and eliminating paint bumps.

Application of wax and sealant follows surface refinement. The newly applied paint will last much longer and have a softer feel if you do this.

That settles it! Your very own hand-painted cloth chair.

How to seal chalk paint on fabric

In order to protect your newly painted fabric chair from dirt and wear, you can use any one of several different sealants made for chalk paint. One option is to simply hang it up in the open and let the sun dry it. Don’t leave it there for too long or the paint on your chair could peel.

An alternative is to use a hot iron on the freshly painted chair. A complete heat treatment of the painted chair surface is possible by ironing the fabric. As with tumbling, this is also an option if the chair has not yet been upholstered.

Finally, you can use a mild wax. Even though it shouldn’t be used on cotton or other natural fibers, some people seal their freshly painted fabric chairs with it.

If you care about keeping the color of your chair for as long as possible, you should always think about sealing the paint. To achieve the greatest possible outcome, it is important to think about the type of fabric you are dealing with.

How to soften chalk painted fabric

It’s not hard to soften the fabric. Sandpaper and wax remover are all that’s required.

As far as sandpaper goes, I find that 220 grit is the most pleasant to work with. After the chair’s fabric has been painted and dried, a simple sanding will leave it feeling smooth and supple.

Blot up the dust and then clean the area with a damp cloth. Don’t feel like you have to do this after every single coat. This is the last thing you should do before calling it a day.

If you want your fabric chair to have a flawless finish, sand it down and then apply your wax solution.

The Best Chalk Paints For Your Projects

The best chalk paints, suitable for any DIY project, are on our list. All of these are of the highest quality, however some are better suited to furniture while others are more suited for walls. Using these brands will help you get the authentic chalk paint finish that will set your project apart.

1. Annie Sloan

Annie Sloan is the original chalk paint brand, actually trademarking the name in 1990. While other copycat brands have followed, Annie Sloan remains one of the top trusted chalk paints you can find.

Since Annie Sloan is a British brand, it doesn’t always ship to the US. The product is not carried by any major retail chain, but rather can be located at specialty shops and select internet outlets.

2. Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint

If you’re looking for a low-cost paint option that’s widely available in the United States, go no farther than Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint (yep, that’s the brand name). Wood, metal, glass, laminate, ceramic, and canvas are just some of the materials that can benefit from its application.

There are 51 distinct hues to choose from, and the firm also provides a variety of paint treatments including waxes and glazes. Because of this, you can give your painted works a wide variety of unique looks.

With its low price and wide availability, Rust-Oleum is a good choice for anyone looking to try out chalk paint for the first time. If you need a lot of paint for a big job, this brand may be a good option.

3. Krylon Chalk Paint

Indoors or out, the fast-drying chalk paint from Krylon, available in a brush-on formula, is a versatile choice. This particular kind is designed for usage with natural materials like wood or wicker.

The fact that it may dry in an hour is very astounding, and it takes only 24 hours to fully harden. Consequently, this chalk paint is ideal for DIY tasks that don’t require much time.

Krylon offers a wide range of chalk paint colors, some of which come with additional finishes like clear seal wax or dark antique wax. If you want to give your furniture a distressed, farmhouse, rustic, or vintage look, you can do it using this method.

4. Behr Chalk Paint

Behr is a household name in the paint industry, and its chalk paint lives up to the company’s stellar reputation. It has a velvety matte finish and provides outstanding coverage.

Whether you’re looking to seal your walls or your furniture, Behr has a wide selection of sealing finishes, including wax, to suit your needs. The spray application method is a novel twist on the classic chalk paint application method, making this brand stand out. Also, this offers superb protection for a wide variety of substrates, including wood, metal, laminate, and more.

If you want a high-quality chalk paint, Behr should be on your short list of potential brands.

5. Dixie Belle Chalk Paint

In the same vein as Annie Sloan, Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint has gained widespread acclaim among do-it-yourselfers. This extra-thick paint allows you to cover a large surface area in a short amount of time, saving you a lot of effort.

Dixie Belle chalk paint is distinctive in that it dries to a thicker consistency after being exposed to air. This provides even more options for crafting the ideal appearance. A thinner, sealed coat of paint is appropriate for a distressed look. It’s better to let it thicken so the color and coverage are more even.

It also works very well as a leveling paint. As it dries, it will blend into a uniform layer, hiding any traces of the artist’s brushwork.

6. Sherwin-Williams Chalk Paint

Top paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams does not produce a chalk paint under its own brand. Instead, you can find chalk paint by Sherwin-Williams under the Krylon Chalky Finish label, which is mentioned previously in this piece.

If your chalk paint is being promoted by a household name like Sherwin-Williams, you must be doing something right!

7. KILZ Chalk Paint

KILZ Chalk Style Paint is a premium paint that is well-liked by do-it-yourselfers for being both user-friendly and durable. It’s promoted for upcycling, but you can use it for so much more than that!

When it comes to coverage and convenience, nothing beats the added thickness of KILZ chalk paint. All that’s required before application is a spotless, dust-free surface. Priming or any other form of pretreatment is unnecessary.

After you’ve finished painting, KILZ has a special wax that can help protect your work and keep it looking excellent.

8. FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint

You can purchase FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint in any craft store around the country for a very reasonable price. Although it lacks the coverage of more expensive products, its ease of use and simplicity make it ideal for painting furniture and other small areas.

It is also helpful for those who have never worked with chalk paint before and are unsure of the outcome.

Applying FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint requires zero priming. To begin painting, you need just ensure that the surface is free of dirt and dust.

9. Retique It Chalk Furniture Paint

Renaissance creates the chalk paint known as Retique It. You can get this top-notch paint from a variety of online stores, including Amazon.

All of your house furniture painting projects will benefit from the paint’s rich hues and complete coverage. Choose from a wide range of hues, all of which have a velvety matte texture. All sorts of indoor and outdoor surfaces can benefit from its application.

One of the quickest-drying chalk paints we’ve come across, this satiny paint is completely dry in as little as 30 minutes. It is an excellent option for anyone who wants to breathe new life into their old furniture.

10. RECOLOR Paint Recycled Chalk Paint

Beautiful, easy-to-apply chalk paint is wonderful, but a brand that uses recycled paint as a main ingredient is even cooler.

As a bonus to its excellent performance, RECOLOR Recycled Chalk Paint is also kind to the environment. RECOLOR has a wide variety of colors to help you achieve the right antique, shabby chic, or distressed appearance.

It can be put in place with little to no effort or advance planning. RECOLOR chalk paint has a longer drying time than many other brands (it should be entirely dry in two to six hours), but the quality of its color and coverage more than makes up for it.

11. Country Chic Chalk Style Paint

Country Chic’s chalk paint is unique in that it doesn’t need to be sealed or waxed after application. That eliminates the need for you to undertake any sort of groundwork or cleanup. Simply paint until you achieve the desired effect.

Simple and quick house repairs can be made using this clay-based chalk paint, which was made specifically for use on furniture and decorative items.

Non-toxic and odorless, it works well on a wide range of surfaces, from wood to metal to laminate and beyond. Plus, it lasts longer and can be applied in less layers, saving you time.

FAQs

You are not alone in your confusion regarding chalk paint and how to use it. To help you get started with chalk paint, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received from our users.

What Is the Best Chalk Paint For Walls?

People who want a damaged yet fashionable and up-to-date aesthetic for their walls sometimes turn to chalk paint. Annie Sloan chalk paint is your best bet because it is both versatile and provides excellent coverage.

Since its inception in 1990, this brand has seen continuous improvement. You can use it on your walls and furniture because it is specially made for both surfaces.

What Is the Best Way to Seal Chalk Paint?

Waxing is the standard method for protecting chalk paint. Commercial versions of each of these are widely available, and are frequently sold together.

If you want to wax your project, you should wait until it’s totally dried. Then, thoroughly and gently work the wax into the paint by dipping a clean, dry cloth into it.

There are alternatives to waxing if you don’t like using it. Polyacrylic, glaze, or oil can also be used. However, it’s important to keep in mind that each of these materials will have a somewhat different appearance, so a spot test might be in order.

What Happens If You Don’t Wax Chalk Paint?

Unless you’re using a chalk paint specifically designed to be used without wax, you shouldn’t skip that step (such as Country Chic chalk paint). It’s important to wax your car regularly to prevent the paint from looking dull and lifeless. Furthermore, the paint is more prone to chip or break with time, and the extremely matte finish would be challenging to clean. The effort required to wax is well worth the results.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Chalk Paint?

Unlike other paints, such as priming, chalk paint doesn’t need to be primed before application. It’s simple to use, and most varieties dry in a flash.

There is one drawback, though: you’ll need to use a sealant after you paint. As we said above, your creation will lose its luster if you don’t seal it. Matte paint is notoriously difficult to clean, and it has a higher propensity for chips.

You may easily protect your chalk paint by rubbing it with a waxed cloth.

Conclusion

Having read this, you should feel confident enough to give chalk paint a try on a fabric chair on your own. Although you may need some practice, your hard work will pay off in the end. With the necessary equipment and some basic painting know-how, you can easily paint your fabric chair.