Can You Use Polycrylic Over Chalk Paint

Nosotros all love chalk pigment, there is no denying it. When information technology comes to finishing that DIY project, chances are, you take grabbed a can to get that vintage, aged wait for your project piece. Merely now that you are finished, are y'all wondering how to go about protecting your hard work from wear and tear?

Every bit chalk paint continues to grow even more than popular, more and more than people have been asking how to seal chalk paint, and so you are non solitary. Our commodity is going to cover everything from Top Glaze 101 to the best types of sealant for your projection.

Nosotros're also going to address the even bigger question: Do y'all fifty-fifty need to seal chalk paint? And then, go your brushes, sand paper, and Annie Sloan paint ready. By the end of this article you are going to be a chalk pigment sealing main!

What Is A Seal Coat / Superlative Coat?

So, what exactly is a top glaze/seal glaze, and why exercise I demand it?

A top glaze is applied, as the name would suggest, on top of the painted surface. Superlative coats are typically made out of resinous polymers such as polyurethane. They tin likewise be made out of shellac or even beeswax.

The chore of a superlative coat is to protect the painted surface by creating a seal between it and environmental elements. Simply put, our top coat is going to protect the chalk paint from existence damaged over time.

It can too protect the wood from staining past things like coffee rings, dirt, grime, and all the other things that happen in life (I'thou thinking kids right now). Depending on the type of topcoat you lot selection, this sealing glaze can also add some conditions protection.

Why Should I Seal My Chalk Paint?

At that place are two reasons why you lot would desire to seal your chalk paint.

First, it will offer some protection. One of the drawbacks to chalk pigment is that it tends to flake and chip very hands. This is particularly problematic on surfaces like tables and chairs that are high contact pieces. Applying a sealer to your painted furniture is going to help it stand up to the wear and tear of abiding use.

And 2d, you want to apply a peak glaze considering it's going to save you time. If you don't seal your chalk pigment, yous're going to wind up repainting those high traffic pieces after the paint has chipped. You're also going to spend more time sweeping up flecks of chalk paint that fall off of your painted surfaces. And who really wants to be sweeping more than we take to?

Are There Reasons to not Seal Chalk Paint?

That's an excellent. I'm and then glad you asked. Overall, it is recommended, and even encouraged, for you to seal chalk paint in some manner, whether that exist with wax, poly, or a high performance top coat. This is due to the showtime reason we mentioned above – chalk pigment is known to chip easily over time on high contact pieces.

HOWEVER, y'all demand to do research earlier applying certain sealants to your project. Depending on what type of tiptop coat you accept in mind, there are some things to consider before applying ane to your project.

For instance, poly, while a standard in sealant, may not e'er be the best option for all chalk paint projects. Here'south a few things to consider earlier you run out to the store to buy some polyurethane.

The biggest reason to skip sealing is that chalk paint is very porous. The peak coat that you apply can leach tannins out of the wood. This leads to light discolored spots appearing on your painted surface. This typically only happens with polyurethane paints and is fairly rare, but worth mentioning. You don't want to have to remove your chalk paint in order to fix a color problem after applying a pinnacle coat.

Okay, so what nearly wax? I'grand supposed to utilize wax, correct?

Well, there are besides some drawbacks to using a wax finish as well. Wax takes the longest to cure of all the finishes (more about that below). And it tends to be the least durable on some high traffic pieces. Yous'll find you may need to re-wax parts of your projection from fourth dimension to time.

Another drawback to wax, and what seems like an oxymoron after our concluding statement, is that information technology is harder to remove than chalk paint. If you later decide that you lot desire to stain or repaint that slice of article of furniture, you're going to accept some piece of work ahead of you lot to remove all the wax from your projection slice before y'all tin can redo it.

Acme coats also tend to spoil some of the charm of chalk paint. One of the big draws of chalk paint is the matte stop and color. If you are wanting to retain that matte stop, a top coat can add an undesirable smoothen and spoil some of that tactile sensation.

Consider all of these things before you choose your elevation coat.

chalk paint, brushes, rollers, and sealants

The Best Superlative Coats To Use On Your Project

The best chalk paint top coat is the ane that'south going to help you best finish your projection. One-half of the fun of thinking up a new DIY chalk paint project is creating something completely original. Hither's a quick rundown of the all-time decorative paint peak coats for every state of affairs and every project.

No Top Coat – Chalk pigment projects can go without a acme glaze. In fact, many DIYers think of the matte color and textured feel as one of the reasons why you should use chalk pigment. Just be aware that this males your project more vulnerable to chips and flaking.
Polyurethane – This is the strongest elevation coat out there. Information technology's also fairly easy to utilize. Just keep in listen that there is a adventure that your terminal project can start to yellow in the years to come up
Polycrylic – Polycrylic is very similar to polyurethane. It does require that you sand in between coats. It besides doesn't accept the risk of yellowing that comes with polyurethane
Wax – Wax is perhaps the virtually popular way to seal a chalk paint project. Wax is strong and offers protection from water, but you might need to touch up your coat as the wax wears off over time
Glaze – Coat will provide some unique coloring as well as a fiddling scrap of protection. However, glaze is best reserved for decorative pieces that won't be seeing much activity
Varnish – This is the oldest and well-nigh time-tested manner of sealing article of furniture. If you lot're up for learning some new skills and putting in some piece of work, varnish actually can't be crush when it comes to chalk paint

Different Methods for Sealing Chalk Paint

Every bit nosotros mentioned above, there are a few different ways yous can seal chalk paint. We'll walk you through each of those so you tin make the all-time selection possible.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is one of the best options for coating your chalk pigment projects. This is because it's very like shooting fish in a barrel to utilize and it provides an incredibly durable embrace. Oil-based polyurethane is a neat choice for indoor and outdoor projects besides as furniture and tables. Nosotros did mention that there can be some drawbacks to using polyurethane, so I ever recommend doing a exam sample before applying any finishing coat to a project.

You lot're going to want to utilize iii coats of polyurethane sealer. You should allow 2 hours in between each coat to dry. In that location is no need to sand in betwixt coats for polyurethane.

Remember to utilise deadening and polish brush strokes to avert bubbles in your polyurethane coat. It takes polyurethane near two hours to dry, but a full 72 hours to cure. This ways you tin can move information technology back into your room in just ii hours, merely you should avoid using information technology for 72 hours and then the top coat can fully cure.

Polycrylic

A polycrylic top glaze is a lot like polyurethane. In fact, many people still refer to polycrylic as "new polyurethane." (Confession: I adopt Polycrylic to wax.)

The big difference is that polycrylic is water-based. Many people likewise notice polycrylic sealers to exist a piffling easier to use. The steps for applying them are essentially the aforementioned. Nevertheless, in that location are two big differences you lot demand to be enlightened of.

Offset, you will demand to sand in betwixt additional coats. This ways ownership a 220 grit sandpaper as well equally a tack textile to make clean upwardly later on. Sanding in betwixt polycrylic coats helps to make sure that the side by side coat has some bite in the surface to grab onto.

The other big difference is in drying and curing times. Polycrylic can cure in as little as 24 hours, different the 72 needed for polyurethane. This makes information technology much faster for achieving a durable end.

There's no risk of yellowing when you use a polycrylic to seal chalk paint. You nonetheless have to deal with the same trouble of accidentally adding a shine to your nice matte chalk pigment. You lot tin always minimize this risk by using a matte top coat.

Wax

Wax has become the gold standard for most people when they want to seal chalk paint. If you lot're looking for the top chalk pigment finish, wax is easily the most pop choice. This is in part considering it matches the rustic amuse of using chalk pigment.

Wax works a little differently than polycrylic or polyurethane sealers. And using wax volition teach y'all some old school methods for finishing your furniture. You lot're going to want to apply your wax either with a wax castor or a lint-free cloth. And make certain to utilize a lint-complimentary cloth to make clean up whatsoever access as you go.

Your wax terminate will dry to the affect apace. Nonetheless, wax elevation coats don't fully cure for up to ii weeks. This ways y'all should care for your furniture as gently as possible for the full ii weeks that it takes the wax to cure. This is particularly true for a dining tabular array, kitchen tabular array, or another high-traffic area.

And, equally we mentioned before, if you lot use wax on a high contact surface, you lot tin can expect to demand to reapply it from time to fourth dimension. This is especially the instance for surfaces like table tops and chairs. So go on this in heed earlier choosing wax seal chalk paint projects.

Coat

Glaze is an interesting option for applying a tiptop coat to a chalk paint project. Nosotros aren't proverb it is the best, but we take been known to hear of people using it with some success, so we wanted to include it.

Yeah, technically, you tin use glaze as a top glaze to seal chalk paint. Nonetheless, most people who apply glaze to piece of furniture also add an boosted top coat in the form of polycrylic or polyurethane. The truth is, glaze doesn't provide nearly every bit much protection as whatsoever of the other top coats in this article.

But . . . glaze also might be the easiest thing to use. All you demand to do is employ glaze to the desired surface then wipe off any excess. The glaze will dry and add a unique coloring in addition to some mild protection. Glaze typically dries overnight, making information technology one of the faster sealant methods.

This top coat should be reserved for decorative pieces or other chalk paint projects that aren't going to be seeing much, if any, wear and tear. Otherwise, you volition exist having to reapply your coat periodically.

Varnish (For Outdoor Projects)

Varnish is also another possible option to seal chalk pigment. It is a little more than challenging than other height coats on this list.

First, you lot will need to dilute your varnish using mineral spirits or other methods. Then you will need to apply your varnish in coats, allowing your forest to dry in between each coat. You volition need to sand in betwixt each coat, using fine grit sandpaper. Do not dilute your varnish in between coats.

One affair to proceed in mind is that varnish is known for adding a picayune color and smoothen to chalk-fashion paint projects. This can either be highly desirable, or a drawback, depending on what you desire for the concluding product. But if you are wanting to seal chalk pigment on an outdoor project, varnish may be the best route to become.

In that location'southward a reason why varnish has been a favorite of woodworkers for a long time. The all-time thing nearly varnish is that information technology's fourth dimension tested and incredibly durable. We're talking pretty much permanently durable. That varnished project you finish this week could easily exist something that your great-grandkids yet take to enjoy.

applying varnish to a wood project with a brush

Chalk Paint FAQs

Can I Employ Modge Podge To Seal Chalk Paint?

Technically, yes. You tin use Modge Podge to seal chalk paint. Notwithstanding, this might not give you lot the results you're looking for. Unless you lot are using the chalk paint on a crafting project or decorative slice, y'all could be amend off only choosing one of the other top coats on our list.

How Do I Weatherproof Chalk Pigment?

The best style to weatherproof chalk paint is to find a sealant specifically designed to be used outdoors. These will be formulated to stand up upwards to non just the rain, only extreme temperatures and continuous exposure to sunlight. Y'all can use outdoor polyurethane, varnish, or even an outdoor wax.

Can I Leave Chalk Pigment Unsealed?

The short answer is yep. You lot can get out chalk paint unsealed. The long answer is yes, but you need to consider what you want your final piece to look like. Many people choose to get out their chalk paint projects unsealed in order to preserve the color and chalky matte finish. Only in that location will eventually be flaking and chipping of paint when left unfinished. The flaking manner of chalk pigment has besides become pop amidst DIY furniture flippers. So if this is your desired wait, then throw circumspection to the wind and leave that project unfinished.

Practise I Sand Chalk Paint Earlier Sealing?

Yes and no. You can sand chalk paint before sealing, simply it isn't always necessary. It all depends on the sealer you choose and the method you lot're using. Chalk paint will exist able to stand up up to the light sanding required by some types of top coat, but we don't recommend over-sanding.

Final Thoughts On Sealing Chalk Pigment Projects

As you can see, you have many unlike options on ways to seal chalk paint projects. It all comes down to what you lot want your finalized project to expect similar. There is no one manner to seal chalk pigment, so we always recommend trying several different methods until you lot find the one you similar the nigh. And if you have a favorite method, be sure to annotate below near which one you use for your chalk paint projects.