How To... Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

First thank you all so much for the warm comments from yesterdays post!  All of your comments have given me a renew excitement to continue writing while my life turns a little crazy for a while!  Now onto my promised post...

Yes I have done it... I jumped on the chalk painting bandwagon!  It took me some time... for awhile I refused to do it.  I just did not understand paying that much for a quart of paint!  And then all of the other crap that you have to buy to go with it!!  But in the end I recommend this client paint her existing dresser in a color selected from the collection and she fell in love... so I thought why not!

We choose the Aubusson blue with the clear wax.  I literally started this project and was done with it the next!

The can reads "This is a girls paint, but boys can use it too!"  I think it says this because there is no priming or prep needed; and who doesn't love that!  Upon reading some other users tips I diluted the can of paint with 2-3 tablespoons of water and then shook it up.  I had done some color samplings for my client so the paint had thickened up slightly.  The water thinned it out.  I applied one thin coat to the unprepped, unsanded dresser.  By the time I was done with the whole thing... the paint was dry where I started!  No joke... totally dry!  So I proceeded with the second coat.

I let my arm rest for a little bit before I started with the wax, but I could have jumped right in after my second coat.  This is the waxing brush sold with the ASCP product.. a VERY expensive brush, but worth every penny... so make the investment!  The bristle are very hard and the circular brush helps the application.

You can really see where the wax has been applied.  It is important not to use too much... and really work the wax into the paint.  I gripped the brush in my fist like I was going to stab somebody with it for the most elbow grease I could muster {I do workout... so I have a little!!}  Once you are done wiping the excess wax off the piece will look good... but not nearly done.  

If you choose to distress your piece then now is the time to do it.  This just locks in the paint color and really makes the paint look as if it has worn off over time.  After all the areas have been distressed, then apply another coat of wax.  I would recommend 2 coats of wax if the piece is going to be used in high traffic areas.  

Let the wax cure for 24hrs {seriously it needs to sit for that long} and then buff the wax to a low sheen. I also bought the buffing brush, but you could use a shoe shine brush if you wanted to.  In a circular motion buff the was and then wipe down with a clean rag.  I will admit this was a process and I felt like I couldn't get a sheen to happen.  In some spots I applied too much wax so the was had to be buffed a little extra to work it into the paint.  If you don't see the sheen at first walk a way and give a little longer to cure.  I swear I did this and when I came back out the dresser developed a low sheen and looked beautiful!

My client LOVED it!  The color is perfect in the natural room and we love the modern mirror over the slightly distressed dresser!  This dresser used to be a changing table with her kids crib set... but it was the right size so why find something different!

I am totally addicted!  I have completed 4 other projects using ASCP all for my mom!  I will share those soon!