Looking for a quick and cost-effective way to reinvigorate your home? You can use chalk paint to completely revamp your floors.
Chalk paint will give you a unique finish and you can choose the effect you want: natural distressed or a clear coat finish.
Builders Warehouse shares this 6-step guide…
You will need:
- Sugar soap
- Scrubbing brush
- Bucket of water
- 1 litre each of Fired Earth Chalk Paint in the colours of your choice
- Stencil of your choice
- Repositionable craft glue
- Small foam roller
- 225mm roller for semi-smooth to rough surfaces
- Paint tray
- Fired Earth Soft Wax: clear, or a water-based acrylic clear floor sealant
- Lint-free cloth
Preparation
Thoroughly clean your floor using sugar soap, ensuring all stains have been removed. If your floor has been previously painted, it’s a good idea to abrade it first to ensure best adhesion of the paint. If you’re painting onto raw concrete, you may prime it with plaster primer or simply paint straight onto the clean surface with chalk paint.
Step 1
Using a roller for semi-smooth to rough surfaces, apply at least two coats of chalk paint. Remember to allow them to dry thoroughly in between.
Step 2
To add a stencil pattern, spray a generous coating of repositionable craft glue onto the back of the stencil.
Step 3
Place the stencil firmly onto the floor. It is a good idea to use your finger to stick down the fiddly bits.
Step 4
Using a small roller, gently cover the stencil with paint. Make sure you don’t have too much paint on the roller to avoid excessive bleed.
Step 5
Gently peel off the stencil and repeat. We used a random pattern that suited the flowers.
Step 6
Once the paint is thoroughly dry, you can seal the floor. There are two options. The more hardwearing choice is to use a clear acrylic sealant for floors - it is easier to apply, easier to clean and more durable than the wax finish. If you have strong biceps and love the distressed look, apply a wax finish of two thin coats of Fired Earth Clear Wax, followed 8 to 12 hours later by a brisk buffing session.
Care for your chalk paint
- Chalk paint is designed to distress over time, so if you don’t like this look, rather choose a different paint for your projects.
- A waxed floor needs to be treated as such, and no abrasive detergents should be used when cleaning.
- Wax is water resistant, but it will spot if the water isn’t removed immediately. Hence it is not suitable for wet areas.
- Never use furniture polish or oils on your waxed furniture.
- You may need to reapply a thin coat of wax from time to time when you can no longer buff the surface to a shine.
Article courtesy of builders.co.za
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