You can achieve a chalky and vintage look to your furniture by painting it with chalk paint. It has grown in popularity in recent years and you can find it in any local paint store. It is a versatile finish.
Chalk paint is popular for decorating doors, walls, and furniture because of its distinctive appearance and ease of application.
In the case of outdoor furniture, chalk paint can create some confusion about its water resistance and whether it can withstand exposure to harsh weather conditions.
Is chalk paint impermeable? It is well-known that the paint is water-resistant, but that doesn’t mean it’s meant to be used outside.
In order to protect the paint from the elements, it is possible to go the extra mile and seal the paint. Let’s dig in to understand if the chalk paint is waterproof or not and how you can use them for outdoor purposes.
Is Chalk Paint Waterproof? Explained
Even though chalk paint isn’t waterproof, you can still use it outside. Do not confuse the terms “watertight” and “water-resistant.”
Water cannot easily harm an object that has good water-resistance power. It is possible for a water-resistant object to withstand water up to a certain extent.
To put it another way, even if your phone gets wet while outside in the rain, it will remain functional until it is submerged. Ask yourself what you’re painting and where you’re going to put it.
There is no need to seal or wax furniture that is kept indoors and that is likely to be splashed with water on a whim. When and how a surface will be exposed to water, it may be necessary to apply lacquer or sealer to protect it.
Varnish, lacquer, or even shellac should be applied to everything that can be exposed to water.
What Is the Reason Behind Chalk Paint’s Water-Resistance?
To begin with, you need to be aware of the fact that the chalk paint isn’t completely waterproof, but it is water-resistant. Both of these terms are incorrectly used as synonyms.
Having a paint that is waterproof means that even if it is exposed to rain, the paint will not be harmed by water. Paint that has been treated to be water-resistant means it won’t crack or peel even when exposed to small amounts of water or mist.
A water-resistant paint is chalk paint. When you use a wet cloth to wipe the chalk paint, the paint won’t come off. However, if the paint gets wet, it will come off in a splotchy mess.
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to chalk paint is that acrylic-based one is a water-resistant variety. The acrylic binders and polymer in the paint coating make acrylic chalk paint water-resistant because they keep the paint particles in a tightly packed state.
As a result, moisture has a hard time penetrating the paint coating. Chalk paint is better for vertical surfaces because it is more water-resistant.
This is due to the fact that water or moisture will not be able to remain on these surfaces for long periods of time. A large amount of moisture does not remain on chalk paint for long even when it rains.
Chalk paint, on the other hand, is not water-resistant when applied to horizontal surfaces such as tables or benches. Because the surface is flat, moisture will remain there for hours.
You should also be aware that a few chalk paints contain water-resistant additives in the paint formula.
About Chalk Paint
Chalk paint has become increasingly popular in recent years, so chances are you’ve seen it in action during your home improvement projects.
Many people don’t know that Annie Sloan is the paint company that invented chalk paint. As a result, you’ll find that many other brands have jumped on the chalk paint bandwagon and created a different version of the product.
Chalk paint is different from chalkboard paint. The former creates a matte finish surface that is capable of being written with chalk.
Chalk paint, on the contrary, can simulate the appearance of chalk on a particular surface. Drying matte, it imparts a distressed, chalky appearance to the surface, which is typical of vintage furniture and other antiques.
Chalk Paint is not only responsible for a matte finish look but it can also play a role to be more effective than any other paint.
It enables you to paint on a dry surface without doing the steps like sanding or priming. However, this isn’t always the case.
If you’re painting over a stain, you can’t cover it with chalk paint because of its distressed appearance. Even if the surface is stained, it is necessary to clean it before painting.
Types Of Chalk Paint
A spray can or brush can be used to apply paints that have a chalky finish. Chalk paint is a user-friendly option because it has an interesting feature of self-balancing.
Spray Chalk Paint
There is one problem with the paint and that is it dries out much faster than ay traditional chalk paint. This demands you complete the project as soon as possible.
Many people consider this as an advantage because the curing time for the paint is lesser here. Spray painting can be helpful if you are painting some corners which are hard to reach.
A spray can help you here if you use spindles or curving to do that. Spray chalk paint is best for creating a smooth finish, without tampering with the surface and making it worse.
However, you need to invest in more paints because it takes some layers to give you the desired look, that in turn is going to increase the cost.
Finally, if you want a temporary finish, make sure you use water-based paint because oil-based ones are going to give you hard time when you try to get rid of them.
Acrylic Chalk Paint
Most market-based chalk paints have a 100% acrylic base. The acrylic polymer binder holds the pigment in place in this water-based paint.
Formulation advantages make it superior to other sprays on the market. In most cases, 20 to 30 minutes is all that it takes for chalk paint infused with an acrylic base to get dried.
Once dry, the color of the paint will not wash away with water, but it can be quickly removed with soap and water. A wide variety of DIY projects can benefit from the use of acrylic-based chalk paints.
In addition, the use of acrylic-contained chalk paint is advantageous because it leaves no residue or fumes. Safe for indoor use and easy to clean up.
Why You Should Use Chalk Paint?
Furniture is frequently painted with chalk paint. It can be used to add depth to a surface, or it can be thinned out to create a smoother finish.
If you want to give a piece a vintage feel, all you have to do is apply some distressing techniques. Nevertheless, you aren’t constrained to home furnishings.
Patio floors, furniture, and even entire houses can all benefit from this product. Chalk paint is a favorite of many DIYers because brushes and tools are easily cleaned with water and soap, so they don’t need to be stripped of their previous finishes before painting with this paint.
It can be used on virtually any surface, including wood, metal, concrete, and brick. For the time being, the actual chalk paint is prohibitively expensive, with a gallon costing around $40.
“Chalked paint” and “chalky paint” have been developed by other manufacturers.
How Do You Know That The Chalk Paint Is Waterproof?
Check the chalk paint container to see if it’s waterproof or not. Paint containers are usually labeled with information about how the paint works and if it can be used outdoors.
After the chalk paint has dried, one of the other ways to tell if it’s dry is to wet it down. For best results, soak the chalk paint for at least 30 minutes in water before sanding it down.
Check the chalk paint after 30 minutes. The chalk paint is water-resistant if you can see water on the chalk. The chalk paint is not waterproof if you observe that water is tinted.
Using water on chalk paint that is waterproof will keep the water clear. Chalk paint isn’t waterproof if you can’t see the water you applied or if you notice the chalk paint has transformed into liquid.
In addition, if the paint transformed its appearance or appears faded or blistered, it is not waterproof. It would be impossible for the paint to be affected by water if it is water-resistant.
The chalk paint is not waterproof if it changes shape or color.
Process Of Painting Outdoor Furniture With Chalk Paint
Even old outdoor cushions can be painted with chalk paint thanks to its versatility. It’s best to remove the seat cushion from the chair before painting it.
To prevent damage to your furniture, place the cushions on a dust sheet before placing them in their final location. Priming may be necessary for brightly-patterned or colored materials.
Add a few drops of water to your primer and mix it well. Because of this, the paint will be absorbed more easily by the cushion. For the same reason, you can also make the cushion’s surface damp.
You can add water as per requirements to your primer, but once it becomes too runny, you can’t take it out. Apply the primer to the cushion using a paintbrush.
Using chalk paint instead of primer is an option if you don’t want to prime your cushions first. Let the first coat dry completely before applying the second.
This process shouldn’t take more than a few hours. Make sure the paint is completely dry before inspecting for any imperfections. These can be sanded down.
To apply a second layer of paint to your cushion, follow the same steps as before. For colored chalk paint, you should only need to apply one coat of each paint and paint.
Find a spot to display your freshly painted cushion once it has dried completely. Once the paint has dried, it should not crack, and it should not leave any residue on your clothing.
Sealing Chalk Paint For Outdoor
For added peace of mind, you can apply a versatile sealant that protects your painted item from rain, sun, and UV rays before using it outdoors.
During different weather conditions, it expands and contracts with the surface. Soft-bristled brushes can be used to apply the sealant.
Wait for it to dry after you’ve applied it evenly to the product you want to protect. Outdoor furniture should not be treated with sealant in rainy or extremely hot weather.
So check the overnight temperatures and make sure there’s no chance of rain so it can dry out completely.
Final Verdict
Even though it’s water-resistant, chalkboard paint isn’t waterproof. In other words, it can withstand water, but only to a certain extent.
As a result, it is best to avoid exposing it to water, as it can damage the texture and cause it to come loose from the wall. As long as the paint isn’t constantly exposed to moisture, it’s fine.
It’s wiser to seal the paint if it’s going to be exposed to water or oil on a regular basis. Hope this guide has helped you with your query. Don’t forget your thoughts on this.