How To Use Rustoleum Chalk Paint

I was skeptic of rustoleum chalk paint when it first came out because it claimed that it did not require any sanding. This paint product surprised me!

No Sanding Required with Rustoleum Chalk Paint

I recently acquired a 1982ish lacquered bedroom furniture set that I thought would be perfect to use chalk paint on because I couldn’t make it any uglier.

This dresser was hideous, so I figured I couldn’t possibly make it look any worse.

I didn’t even need to change out the hardware and less than 1 quart covered both the dresser and chest.

How to Prep Furniture for Chalk Paint

Remove all hardware and place in a plastic bag in case you want to reuse the hardware.

I had no intention of reusing the original hardware since I thought it was ugly.

I’m actually glad my husband suggested we save the hardware because the hardware looked totally different after applying the chalk paint.

Now that the hardware has been taken off, remove the drawers from the dresser and wipe down everything with a dry rag to clean off any dust.

I also, used a damp soapy sponge to clean the dresser and drawers.

Once the furniture was dried, I started to brush on the first coat of Rust-oleum chalk paint.

How to Chalk Paint Furniture

I used Chalk Paint brushes to paint all grooves and areas that a high density foam roller would not be able to cover.

Once I finished with the brush, I used the high density foam roller to smooth all areas on the front of each drawer and dresser.

The high density foam roller helps to smooth any brush strokes that you can’t blend for a softer look.

chalk paint projects — Aged Gray Painted Dresser

Applying the Second Coat of Paint

After the first coat dried for a few hours, I went back and applied a second coat of Rust-Oleum chalk paint to all areas of the dresser and drawers.

I only applied a total of 2 coats to the dresser and chest to achieve the look I was going for.

I let the second coat of paint dry overnight before applying a protective clear coat.

The clear coat is optional because some people prefer the matte distressed look.

Distressing the Paint

If you want a more rustic distressed look then you will need fine sandpaper to lightly sand corners and sides of the dresser.

The sandpaper will remove some of the paint on furniture giving the dresser a distressed finish.

I chose not to give the dresser a distressed look and instead I applied a clear protective coat in satin finish.

This gave the dresser a light shine while offering protection from chipping.

Once the clear coat has dried for several hours, start adding the hardware to the dresser.

I ordered new hardware, but I decided I liked the look of the original hardware better.

The cool tone of gray paint really popped with the original gold hardware.

Products Used for Chest and Dresser:

Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint – 1 quart in Aged Gray
Chalk Paint Brushes
High Density Foam Rollers
Mask
Gloves
Protective Eye Wear
Drop Cloths
Sponge and Dish Soap
Optional: Top Protective Coat in Satin Finish or wax

How to Use Rust-Oleum Spray Chalk Paint

I loved this Rust-Oleum spray chalk paint because it was very easy to apply and gave a nice matte finish.

The spray chalk paint was a better option for this project because this accent table had a lot of small details.

The spray paint easily covered these areas in just 2 quick coats.

Prepping the Furniture for Painting

I lightly sanded the accent table that I was going to chalk paint because it was very old and had some minor chipping.

If you are happy with the look of your item before you spray it, then no need to sand.

I then wiped down the accent table before I started to spray on my first coat of Rust-Oleum spray chalk paint.

How to Use Rustoluem Spray Chalk Paint

I made sure to spray the accent table in a well-ventilated area and I protected the surrounding area with drop cloths.

I also, wore safety glasses, gloves, and a mask to protect myself from the fumes.

Make sure to thoroughly shake the can for about a minute to mix the paint.

Spray on the first coat by holding the can 10-12 inches from the accent table.

I sprayed the paint evenly left to right and not too thick. You do not want to spray the paint too heavy because the paint will start to drip.

Applying the Second Coat

Let each coat dry about an hour before applying the second coat.

I only applied a total of 2 coats or Rustoleum chalk paint, and I did not apply a protective topcoat.

I really like the matte finish on this table, and I wasn’t worried about this table getting chipped. If you are looking for chalk paint project, you might like these 15 easy ideas.

Products for the Accent Table:

Rust-Oleum Spray Chalk Paint in Aged Gray
Mask
Gloves
Protective Eye Wear
Drop Cloths

How to Use Rustoleum Chalk Paint