This post is chock full of tips using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) and a HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer.
I have to admit, I was a little nervous to put ASCP in my Finish Max. I didn’t want to clog up my beloved sprayer.
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I thinned my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint before putting it in my sprayer. I’ve had several cans of ASCP, and honestly, none of them seem to be the exact consistency, so it can be difficult to say exactly what ratio you should use. I used 4 tsp of water to 1 cup of paint.
This table was purchased at a yard sale for $10. The pedestals were wobbly. I’ll do another post to tell you how I fixed them.
I set the table up on some saw horses in my makeshift paint booth. You really don’t need much protection because there is so little over spray with this fine finish sprayer. I have a piece of plastic that hangs on the wall, and flows onto the ground.
This is right after I finished, you can see some of it is still wet. The Finish Max did not let me down. I got the exact 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)
I didn’t take any pictures of the pedestals until after I started waxing.
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 need a quick top coat with a brush. Hindsight 20/20 I wish I hadn’t done this.
After a light distressing, waxing and buffing. (please ignore the shadows of the trees)
As I said… light distressing. I love looking at heavily distressed pieces that my blog friends do, but I don’t feel confident in doing it. I feel that I can’t pull off a “natural” look.
Tips and suggestions:
- Dilute and strain your ASCP (I use 1 Gallon Strainer Bags 6 Pieces
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- 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’m not a fan of painting turned legs/spindles by hand.
Another thing I do not like to paint by hand? Slats!
I gathered all my supplies, the handiest of which is that old soup ladle. I prefer to ladle my paint rather than pour it. This ladle happens to hold about ½ 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 is the ratio that worked with this ASCP paint—1 cup of paint with 4 tsp water.
I got a great 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 the entire 1 cup of paint. Look at the small amount of paint that was left in the paint cup. I love that I can use it all the way down to almost the last drop without any spitting or spattering. I used the remainder of the paint to do the bottom of the shutter by hand where I had it sitting in the paint booth…the bottom didn’t get done.
I felt it needed a little somethin’ so I found these birds in my stash of previously cut vinyl. When I have small pieces of vinyl to transfer, I use painter’s tape.
I waxed, then lightly distressed, and buffed. These magazine racks work great hanging on or leaning against the wall.
gail
I have partnered with HomeRight to spread the word about how much I love their products. All thoughts, opinions and words are my own. Your experience may vary.
See More Finish Max Projects Here
Hi, there! Iām Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. Iām obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful againāmyself included! I hope youāll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way⦠literally!
Pat
Wow!
If anyone would have the guts to marry these two products...it would be YOU!
I would say... no to putting chalk paint in a sprayer...but, you've shown that this little sprayer is quite impressive little tool to have in the paint booth!
You're pretty savvy.
Love how this table turned out and the slat magazine rack! clever.
(I like the little birdies) Pat
Cher @ Designs by Studio C
That is so awesome!! I want to try it... I have an HVLP sprayer and I'm not sure the chalk paint would work in it but I also have my dad's Wagner. I might try it in his sprayer, just don't tell him ~ ha ha! Thanks, Gail!
Holly
Looks great! I never would have thought to use ASCP in a sprayer. Glad to know it works.
Jackie
wow Gail, it looks great! I have recently been given a Rockler HVLP sprayer and have yet to try it out. I'm a little leery.. anytime I need to spray something I usually take it down to the plant where my husband works and use the big sprayer they have. The best part about that is I never have to clean it, my husband always does. After seeing this post you've motivated me to set up something here and try out my sprayer. (I know they wouldn't let me use chalk paint in theirs) My question is, have you used your DIY chalk paint in it or do you just use ASCP? I always make my own and I never really follow a recipe so my consistency is not always on the money.
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Jackie,
I have used my DIY version of chalk paint in my sprayer. I'll be blogging about it very soon.
gail
nova
Great instructions that are easy to follow!!!
Nadine
Tucking this into my knowledge bank for another day. Have you tried this with your DIY version of chalk paint?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Nadine,
I actually have done it with my version... stay tuned for that post coming soon.
gail
Maxine
two thumbs up! Thanks Gail for showing us how you do it. Now it's my turn š
Sue
Hi Gail....thanks for the tips! I still have yet to use the sprayer I won from you. Call me intimidated. I don't know!. Have a great day, Sue
Terri
I used a sprayer with Annie Sloan when I did my dining room chairs...they are cane back and I did NOT want to deal with brushing. Love the look, but it definitely takes more paint to spray and AS is sort of pricey so I would not do it for every project! Your table is gorgeous!
Cindy
Thanks for sharing, Gail. I really love that blue. xo
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real
I am sooooo glad you posted this, Gail! I wanted to use ASCP in mine, but was scared too! You made my day!!! Now I can paint the monstrous king bed in our master!!!
cassie
wow! good to know! the table is gorgeous, by the way!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
What a beautiful finish you achieved Gail! Good to know you can use chalk paint in the sprayer. I'll definitely give it a try. And that is a really cute magazine rack!