If you have ever heard the term ‘shabby-chic,` then you should definitely be familiar with chalk paint. It has become really popular in DIY home decoration; even professionals love working with it because it is such a versatile paint medium. It can be used for painting a wall, furniture, and décor makeovers in all sorts of styles.
If you apply wax over the paint to make it patina, then the answer is yes, you can use chalk paint in a bathroom. The wax seals the paint to make it waterproof without losing its matte effect; however, if you want a glossier finish, you can use a high-sheen varnish to seal the paint.
Because of its matte, chalky texture, chalk paint is an easy paint to manipulate into various different styles. These include vintage, rustic, modern, you name it. So how do you go about using it in your bathroom? Let’s take a closer look at this wonder product, how to use it, and let’s see why it is so popular.
How Do You Use Chalk Paint In A Bathroom?
When people ponder over the idea of using chalk paint in their bathroom, the first question that normally crops up is, “will the paint survive being exposed to water and moisture?”. The good news is that chalk paint not only survives but thrives in a bathroom, transforming it into a sanctuary of tranquility.
Chalk paint is not waterproof but rather water-resistant. What this means is that you will need to seal the paint, either by applying wax or paint sealant, if the painted surface will be exposed to water on a regular basis.
Chalk paint sticks to furniture and walls wonderfully; there is no need to apply a priming coat and no sanding is required. This is awesome news for people renovating their bathrooms! No additional prepping work means you can basically start painting straight away.
What You Will Need Before You Start Painting:
- Paintbrushes and/or rollers
- Paint tray
- Lint-free cloths
- Covering tape
- Wax or sealant of choice
- Chalk paint
How To Paint A Vanity Or Wall:
- Clean the vanity or wall with soap and warm water, inside and out, in all nooks and crannies. Let it air dry before applying the paint.
- Remove all the metal hardware from your vanity. This will include all brackets, metal hinges, and handles, basically everything that you can’t cover with tape and do not want to paint over.
- Depending on the material of the hardware, you can either use a Rust-oleum product to enhance and protect the metal from rust.
- If your hardware is made out of brass, then try the following. Mix equal parts of white vinegar, flour, and salt to create a paste, apply to blemished brass, and leave it for an hour before washing it off with warm water.
- Apply the first coat to the wall/ vanity. The inventor of chalk paint, Annie Sloan, suggests that you leave the paint for 24 hours before painting the second coat.
- Apply a second coat to the wall/vanity. The second coat should cover the wall/vanity efficiently, even if the base color was of a dark variety. Should some color still shine through, then simply add a third layer or just paint the areas that need a little more paint.
- Make sure that the paint is dry; continue to apply wax or sealant to the wall/vanity. It is up to you as to how many layers you want to paint on. The wax will need to cure, and this process normally can take up to 21 days. Be careful when using the vanity during these days as any sharp objects can leave marks that you will have to rectify later.
- If you are using lacquer as a sealant, remember that the effect on the paint will be to produce a shinier finish than the wax.
Chalk Paint allows The User To Create Different Effects, With It As A Medium:
- If you want the application to have a smooth effect, just add a little water to the paint. Start with a teaspoon of water and see how the paintbrush strokes become smoother and easier to paint. This is recommended when applying the second coat.
- If you want the application to look and act a little thicker, simply leave the lid of the paint off for a while. The paint will automatically thicken itself and produce the luxuriant look that many are after.
- If you want the application to have a whitewash effect, just add more water until satisfied with the effect on your furniture or wall. This gives the illusion that the painted area is older than it is; people seem to love this effect.
If the chalk paint comes out too white, here’s an article I wrote on what to do along with many other tips and tricks.
What Is Chalk Paint?
When people think about chalk paint, some automatically think it’s made from the chalk that children and teachers use to write with. This is simply not the case. Children’s chalk is usually made from grounded limestone with added colorants.
Chalk paint is the brainchild of well-known British artist Annie Sloan and is a water-based paint. The paint has a definitive matte look when applied, that is where the chalk reference comes in, but it’s definitely not made out of chalk or limestone.
Chalk paint has little to no odor. People who have conditions such as asthma, allergies, and chemical sensitivities, have noted that painting with chalk paint was a much more pleasant experience than painting with chemically enhanced latex paints.
Chalk paint is relatively dense in its application and is less likely to drip when being used. It rarely requires any prime work to be done before painting with it. You can use it to paint over wood, walls, metal, and melamine, even over glass. It’s perfect for outside paint jobs and simply loves the inside of a house.
Related Questions
Now that we know that you can definitely use chalk paint in your bathroom let us explore some additional information and questions to help broaden your knowledge of the chalk paint world.
Can You Paint Bathroom Floorboards With Chalk Paint?
Chalk paint is such a versatile paint; you can definitely paint the bathroom floorboards with it. No need to sand the floor first or to put a primer on before you start. Just give it 2 coats, wait for it to dry completely, then finish off with a wax or lacquer, depending on the look you are going for.
How Many Coats Of Wax Should You Put On Chalk Paint?
Every layer of wax adds to the durability of the paint. Two to three layers or coats should be enough, when cured, to protect the paint from normal wear and tear. It is not set in stone that you even apply wax as the paint will last perfectly well on items that are rarely used.
Can You Paint Bathroom Tiles With Chalk Paint?
Chalk paint can be used on ceramics and can also be used as a base coat if you want to add patterns to the design.
Conclusion
When British artist Annie Sloan created chalk paint, it was born out of the shortage of decorative paints that were available at that time. Chalk paint is very quick and easy to use, relied on by many in the creative world, and self-proclaimed Do-It-Yourselfers. Her invention changed the way people decorated their homes forever.
When using chalk paint, you don’t have to sand or prime your project beforehand; the thickness of the paint means less dripping, brushes can be cleaned with soapy water and not with chemicals, no stripping before you start, and can basically be used on any surface which ranges from metal, wood, concrete, plaster, brick and even tiles and ceramics.
You, as the painter or decorator, also have the choice if you want a matte or shiny effect on the project. This will be an easy choice as wax keeps the matte effect while a lacquer or varnish will make it shiny. It dries fairly quickly and is a delight to work with.
So go ahead and give your bathroom a makeover. It will enhance any room inside or outside the house. It was definitely a game-changer when Annie Sloane brought it to life in the ’90s. Today most people swear by it, repeatedly using it to brighten up their homes.