I wrote an article recently sharing my favourite DIY chalk paint recipe because I just love to chalk paint and makeover furniture. I am a happy girl when I have a paintbrush in hand.
After sharing that post, I had some questions from friends about how best to protect a piece once it has been chalk painted.
The traditional way to protect chalk painted furniture is to wax it. The wax maintains the matte look of the finish and hardens over time into a protective coating.
I’ve used Annie Sloan Soft Wax as well as Van Gogh Beeswax Furniture Finish to protect furniture I’ve chalk painted.
I’ve also used Rust-oleum Chalked Protective Topcoat which is a liquid topcoat.
Both methods have given great results but I do have a preference so if you’d like to know my preferred method of protecting (most) chalk painted furniture, it is…
Rust-oleum Chalked Protective Topcoat!
Why I Prefer Rust-oleum Chalked Protective Topcoat Over Wax
There are two main reasons why I prefer to use the topcoat.
#1 – It is easier and faster to apply.
Waxing furniture is very labour intensive in that it is physical work and takes longer to apply than a topcoat. As well, your technique has to be just right in order to ensure you have a finish that is durable yet not tacky. I spent a summer putting two coats of wax on six kitchen chairs that I had chalk painted and that was enough for me! Although the finish has been great, and I do love how it looks, it ended up being so much work that I have top-coated most everything else since.
#2 – It is more durable.
I find that the topcoat provides a more durable finish and this is key when you have kids and furniture that sees regular use such as chairs and desktops.
Tip: The protective topcoat is fairly thick and milky but it dries clear. I’ve found that it works best if you brush in one direction as much as possible and avoid over brushing. Over brushing can leave you with thicker parts that don’t dry flat and clear.
What Should You Choose – Wax or Topcoat?
I really think that you should try each method first so that you can see the difference and decide which finish you prefer. Some people swear by waxing and just love the look it gives as it is a bit more traditional.
There are two specific circumstances in which I would recommend using wax over the top coat. The first is if you’ve distressed furniture or plan to distress it – distressing and wax work better together. The second is if you have a piece of furniture that is special and valuable to you and you wish to put in the time and effort it takes to get that traditional look that comes with furniture wax.
However, I generally love my DIY’s to be as quick and easy as possible so I tend to reach for my Rust-oleum Protective Topcoat instead.
So if you want a fun and simple project, take a look around your house and find a piece of furniture that could use a boost. Make some DIY chalk paint or buy yourself some, give it a coat of wax or topcoat, and in an afternoon you’ll have a little something “new” that I bet you’ll love! 🙂
