ASCP in HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer

This article contains tips on using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) and a HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer.

I was nervous about putting Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in my Finish Max. I didn’t want to clog up my beloved sprayer.

Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in a Paint Sprayer

To begin, I thinned my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint before putting it in my sprayer. I’ve had several cans of ASCP, and honestly, none seem to be the exact consistency, so it can be challenging to say exactly what ratio you should use. I used 4 tsp of water for 1 cup of paint.

I purchased this table at a yard sale for $10. The pedestals were wobbly. In this article, How to Repair Pedestals, I show you how I fixed them.

Make Your Own Paint Booth

I set the table on some saw horses in my makeshift paint booth. You don’t need much protection because this fine-finish sprayer produces so little overspray. I have a plastic piece hanging on the wall and flowing onto the ground.

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Some of the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in this image is still wet. The Finish Max did not let me down. I got the same flawless finish as I do with regular latex.

If you don’t have one, you can get a  HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer online. (Amazon affiliate link)

Waxing Pedestal Legs

I didn’t take pictures of the pedestals until after I started waxing.

Distress Lightly

I love how the pedestals look after lightly distressing, waxing, and buffing.

A close-up.

Here, you can see some brush marks on the table. This is because the finish was so flawless that it didn’t look like chalk paint. It just seemed like it needed a quick top coat with a brush. In hindsight, 20/20, I wish I hadn’t done this.

Here is the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint after a light distressing, waxing, and buffing. (please ignore the shadows of the trees)

As I said, I only did a light distressing. I love looking at heavily distressed pieces that my blog friends do, but I don’t feel confident doing it myself. I think that I can’t pull off a “natural” look.

Tips and suggestions For Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in a Sprayer

• Dilute and strain your Annie Sloan Chalk Paint  (I use 1 Gallon Strainer Bags 6 Pieces-affiliate link)
• Because the Finish Max gets warm as it’s used, you may get a little build-up on the nozzle with the ASCP; just use your fingernail (or a rag) to wipe it off.
• If your paint runs, it’s too thin
• If you are not getting any paint to flow, it’s too thick
• ASCP dries very fast, so you probably can do a second coat right away
• Thoroughly clean your Finish Max as soon as you are finished painting
• To clean—rinse the cup, then run a full cup of water through your sprayer. Clean the nozzle, tube, and cup. You can watch a video of me cleaning the CommandMax in my post Video Turtorial CommandMax.
• Step back and bask in the beauty of your newly painted piece

Will I always break out my HomeRight Finish Max for every ASCP application? No, but I do not like painting turned legs/spindles by hand.

Painting a Magazine Rack

Another thing I wouldn’t say I like to paint by hand is slats.

Dilute Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I gathered all my supplies, the handiest of which was that old soup ladle. I prefer to ladle my paint rather than pour it. This ladle happens to hold about 1/2 cup of paint. I have found that if I dip it in water before dipping it in the paint, less paint sticks to it.

This ratio worked with this ASCP paint—1 cup of paint with 4 tsp water.

I got an excellent finish in record time. You’ll see some drips and runs, but those are from a previous paint job without a  HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer.

I used almost one cup of paint. Look at the small amount left in the paint cup. I love that I can use it to nearly the last drop without spitting or spattering. I used the remainder of the paint to do the bottom of the shutter by hand while sitting in the paint booth. The bottom didn’t get done.

Easy Vinyl Application

I felt it needed a little somethin’, so I found these birds in my stash of previously cut vinyl. Did you know that I use painter’s tape when I have small pieces of vinyl to transfer?

I waxed, then lightly distressed, and buffed. These magazine racks work great hanging on or leaning against the wall.

gail

See More Finish Max Projects Here

Paint Sprayer Tips