Need help? Check out our FAQ's below
What's the difference between Chalk Paint and other paints?
Chalk paint differs from regular paint in a couple of ways. The biggest difference is that it does not contain a sealer. This means that it remains 'open' for longer and it's possible to acheive a variety of decorative effects such as blending and distressing.
Because the paint does not start to seal while you are painting it is easy to manipulate the paint creating soft transitions and beautiful effects. As it does not contain a sealer it is necessary to seal the paint once you have finished painting. Our Clear Wax is absorbed into the paint rather than sitting on top of it and gives the paint a uniquely soft velvety matt finish.
The second reason, and one of the reasons why our paint is so popular is that Plain Jane chalk paint adheres to almost anything! Very little prep is needed before you can start painting. You can read more info on that below.
And lastly, our paints are made from all natural ingredients and pigments which means that they are zero voc and child safe.
How much paint do I need for my project?
As a general rule our paint will cover approximately 10-12m2 per litre. As most colours require 2 coats that means a 1 litre tin will be sufficient to cover 5-6m2.
So what does that actually mean?
Well, a 100 ml tin will be enough for a small chair, stool, side table or bedside.
A 500 ml tin will be enough to cover a sideboard, desk or small bookcase
And a 1 litre tin will be enough for a cupboard, 2 small sideboards or a small set of kitchen units.
Our 250ml Clear Wax covers approximately 8m2 which is roughly equal to 3 average chests of drawers.
If you're still not sure how much paint you need, just pop us a message through our contact form and we'll be happy to advise you on your project.
You can watch a short video on how to measure the area of your furniture HERE
Do I need to do any prep work before painting?
Our paint adheres extremely well to almost any surface including metal and glass. Very little prep work is needed but we always recommend giving your item a good wash first to remove any grease and doing a quick scratch sand with a 180 grit sandpaper to create a 'key' for the paint.
Although the scratch sand is not necessary for the paint to adhere it will mean that you get the best coverage with your first coat and ultimately that means less work for you!
You do not need to strip back any existing topcoat unless it is unstable or peeling off.
You do not need to use a primer unless you are painting onto wood that may have tannin bleed.
You can download and print off my free Prep Guide HERE
Can I use Plain Jane Chalk Paint on outdoor projects?
Yes you can! Our paint is absolutely fine to use on exterior projects if you seal it afterwards with a water based exterior polyurethane topcoat.
Choose a matt finish topcoat to maintain the chalk paint appearance.
You do not need to use any wax.
There is no special prep work needed for exterior projects.
Is Plain Jane Chalk Paint child safe?
Our paint is zero VOC (this stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, and it's basically the nasty chemicals that evaporate out of most other paints for several months after painting) so it is safe to use on childrens toys and furniture.
Our wax is a blend of natural Beeswax and Carnuba Wax, both of which are also child safe.
How do I apply Plain Jane Chalk Paint?
You can apply our paints using a brush, roller or spray gun. Our brushes are the finest quality with a high bristle count which means they hold more paint (less work for you) and will leave a smooth flawless finish but if you prefer to use a roller or spray gun that's fine too.
Use a microfibre roller with a 5mm nap.
If using a spray gun then water the paint down by approximately 15%.
I've never painted before, how do I get started?
The good news is that it's very simple to apply our chalk paint! Our paints are very forgiving and easy to use.
If you've never picked up a paintbrush before I've made this short video Chalk Paint 101 for Beginners just for you, to show you exactly how to load your brush and apply your paint. You can watch the video below.
How do I create special effects with Chalk Paint?
There are SO many things you can do with chalk paint. If you're keen to learn some more chalk paint techniques then you'll find loads of information in the Video Tutorials section of this website.
And if you're ready to start creating some stunning layered paint finishes then you'll love my Online Courses
Do you have Afterpay?
Yes. We offer both Afterpay, and Paypal at checkout.
