Using Chalk Paint® outdoors is incredibly easy. Read this blog and learn all you need to know to ensure your garden Chalk Paint® projects stay colourful and cheerful for years to come! I even made a video for you to enjoy at the end!
If you’re in need of some extra confidence boosting before you commit paint to brush and brush to furniture – watch my quick video on using Chalk Paint® Lacquer on a metal garden chair here.
- Do use Chalk Paint® outdoors. It’s one of the things I’m most frequently asked, and the answer is yes! You can use Chalk Paint® outdoors.
- Don’t sand! As with using Chalk Paint® indoors, there is no need to prep or prime your outdoor furniture.
- Do remove old peeling paint or rust. You will be able to paint over these…but if you don’t get rid of them they will continue peeling under your Chalk Paint® - and will eventually flake off, taking your lovely new paint job with them! Rust may even show through, so best to tackle it head on.
- Do wipe away any cobwebs or dirt, pop open your Chalk Paint® tin and get stuck straight into the fun part.
- Do know when to Lacquer and when to leave. Chalk Paint® Lacquer is your garden furnitures' best defence against UV rays, fading paint colour, and peeling paint caused by water damage.
- Do Lacquer: Garden furniture – anything which will be touched a lot, sat on, or has a horizontal surface which will collect water or fade in bright sunlight needs to be protected with Chalk Paint® Lacquer to ensure paint won’t transfer, peel or fade.
- Don’t Lacquer: Vertical surfaces – shed walls, fencing, and brickwork are all a) porous (making them IDEAL Chalk Paint® surfaces) and b) vertical facing. This means they are much less prone to the key causes of outdoor damage – UV rays and standing water. Twin enemies of garden furniture!
- Do use two coats of Lacquer! Apply two thin coats or more of Chalk Paint® Lacquer so you can be sure the entire painted piece is fully protected to prevent any water ingress. Note that curing time for maximum protection occurs over 14 days. See out Fact Sheet here for more info.
- Do check the weather forecast! Rain will wash away Chalk Paint® and compromise the Lacquer if either hasn’t dried sufficiently before being exposed to water.
- Don’t use Chalk Paint® Wax outdoors.
- Do play with bright colours – being bold is easier outdoors.
Yours,
Annie
Hi Annie, I am currently working on a piece that I would like to use outdoors. I am first sanding it to get back to the raw wood as I want to stain the piece. Would that also work with laquer seeing that we are in our raining season in Cape Town, South Africa?
ReplyDeleteHi Magda, Yes absolutely, are you using Chalk Paint to stain the piece? As long as you're using Chalk Paint with Chalk Paint Lacquer you'll be fine. Please refer to the information on the use of our Lacquer to ensure maximum protection.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie. Could you explain why we shouldn’t wax outdoor furniture? I’m guessing it’s cause lacquer provides better protection but I’m not sure if I’ll get it here in India.
ReplyDeleteHello, the main reason is that the Lacquer has UV protection within it whereas the wax does not.
DeleteHi annie love your paints.
ReplyDeleteI have recently been focussing on outdoor furniture.
I have a faded brown table n chair set.
Can you please suggest what all I need along with chalk paints?
Love your chalk paints and have done several upcycled furniture pieces in wood and metal. I am now wondering if this lacquer for outdoor would be appropriate to help me on my 3-season room. It has a plywood sub-floor that we have been struggling to determine a floorcovering - regular tile or laminate we feel will suffer from the winter cold/freezing temps and crack. I don't want carpet and because it is screened during part off the year it can get rained on. I want a surface I can mop clean as needed. Today when I read about lacquer I am inspired to chalk paint the plywood and use the lacquer as a top coat but your Do's and Don'ts outdoor chalk painting does not mention use on anything but furniture pieces. Please let me know if you recommend regular chalk paint with a 2-coat (or more?) lacquer top coat for my 3-season room plywood floor. I am so excited to do this so I hope to hear from you soon! thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Annie,
ReplyDeleteCan I use your Chalk Paint on Exterior Brick on my house? If so what are the steps involved? Do I need to Seal the paint?
Hi Annie, I have some old concrete paving slabs in my garden which are was going to throw away but I decided to first try painting them. I read a blog recently that suggested painting patio slabs in masonry paint and then sealing with a tough sealant. Would chalk paint be a suitable alternative to masonry paint for paving slabs which will be walked on?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Becky
Hello Becky! Chalk Paint® is fantastic on masonry and will not require a sealer out of doors, but if you would like to seal them, Annie Sloan Lacquer is a great outdoor sealer. -Jen at ASI
DeleteCan I paint outdoor cushions and use them outside? Do I seal them with wax
ReplyDeleteHello Marie!! You can absolutely paint your outdoor cushions! Thin the paint with a little water, and paint your cushions! Allow them to dry thoroughly, and sand lightly with fine sanding pads. Repeat these steps until you achieve the depth of color and evenness you're looking for. Wax is not intended for use out of doors, so once they're painted, your all set!
ReplyDeleteHi guys
ReplyDeleteI am planning to paint my front door (varnished wood, with open covered porch, does get a little rain when wind blowing and direct sunlight in the morning and a metal meter Cupboard that is exposed to rain with AS chalk paint.
My understanding is I can do this with two coats of paint and then use lacquer on top.
Please confirm if this is correct.
Also the door was revarnished a few years ago and I don’t thing the painter prepped properly so there are a few small varnish bluster, which I am planning to sand smooth before I paint - again please confirm this is OK to do Or do I need to do anymore prep work?
Hi Laine! Yes, the lacquer is a good outdoor sealer for Chalk Paint®! Apply two coats of paint allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats before applying the lacquer. I would recommend sanding down the varnish bluster, and applying a thin coat of clear shellac before painting to seal that particular spot.
DeleteDoes the weather affect chalk paint? I need to paint an indoor piece outdoors and it's raining. I will be covered, just didn't know if the weather temp and humidity affected the piece.
ReplyDeleteHello! You should be fine to paint whilst it's raining, but it may take a bit longer to dry due to the humidity. -Jen at ASI
DeleteHi! I’m planning to use Rust-oleum’s Chalked Aged Glaze to paint a concrete pedestal I’ll use outdoors. Any tips? Should I spray on a coat and then rub some off? Any advice would be much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteHello Gena, I'm afraid I can't help you with that paint line, you might contact Rust-oleum. If you have any questions about the Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan line of products, I'll be happy to help! -Jen at ASI
ReplyDeleteHi, is it possible to use gold leaf with stencils? I love your paint, have done lots of projects over the years now wanting a bit of bling.
ReplyDeleteJudi
Hello Judi! It is possible! You can apply Gold Size over the stencil using either a stencil brush or a roller. Be sure to wash brush/roller and stencil immediately afterward to avoid damage, the size dries quickly. Once the size turns clear and becomes "tacky" you can apply your metal leaf! -Jen at ASI
DeleteI have used danish oil on my new summer house! Stupidly as I now want to paint it, can I use your chalk paint over this? Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreetings Ashley! You can paint over Danish Oil, but you will need to allow it to cure fully before doing so. Also, a light sanding will allow the paint to bond a bit better. -Jen at ASI
DeleteHi Annie, just wondering if I can use your paint to paint my canvas tent it will get wet at some point, I just want to freshen it up as it went mouldy.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Hello! I would test it in an inconspicuous area first. Canvas tents are typically treated with a water repellant coating which could resist the paint. Untreated canvas paints up beautifully. Thin the paint with water to the consistency of milk and brush onto the canvas and allow to dry fully. If it feels stiff, simply sand lightly with fine sanding pads. You can apply more coats to get the depth of color and evenness you're looking for, and then spray with a waterproofing product to protect the fabric.
DeleteHi there. I am wondering if chalk paint to get the RH look would work outside on decking. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello! Yes!! Color washing the paint over wood in multiple shades of your liking can create the weathered wood effect!!
DeleteHi, I previously painted outside metal furniture with chalk paint but stupidly put a dark wax on some areas. This faded and became very chalky over a,couple of summers. I then re painted with alfresco chalk paint (not you paint) amd covered for winter .. when I took covers off in spring the paint had lifted and flaked off making it look DREADFUL. I have been jet washing, sanding etc on an off .. the furniture I'd quite ornate and detailed so hard to strip! I am now wondering whether to paint in hammerite metal paint or chalk paint with your brand ..which is the best I've used .. amd use the lacquer.. please let me know your thoughts and advice .. , many thanks Clare
ReplyDeleteHello Clare. Please don't be so hard on yourself. Wax is not meant for outdoor use so it's best not to use it on outdoor pieces. The other paint you used may have had polymers in it which will peel when painted over the wax. Chalk Paint® can be painted over wax successfully since there are no polymers in the paint. You can simply repaint with Chalk Paint once you remove the peeling paint, and seal them with the lacquer. Be sure to completely encapsulate the furniture in lacquer to make it water resistant. I also might suggest keeping the furniture protected from rain for a few weeks to allow it to cure fully. I hope this helps.
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