Fun furniture makeovers breathe life into any space, which means we probably all have a piece of chalk painted furniture somewhere. If you’re looking for a change, you need the skills to undo that old paint job. Discover how to remove chalk paint from wood with a few easy steps.
Chalkboard paint is a water-based paint developed and popularized by Annie Sloan in 1990. Annie Sloan chalk paint is a blend of talc, calcium carbonate, and individual pigments. Just a few coats create a matte finish veneer that doubles as a chalkboard for some creative DIYers.
Chalkboard paint and chalk marker ink are easy to use and dry quickly. Chalk paint is an excellent medium for home renovation, but what happens when you feel like a furniture makeover, and it’s time for the chalk paint to go? Let us help with your chalk paint problems; we’ll walk you through the removal process.
Your Guide to Removing Chalk Paint From Wood
Learn how to get chalk paint off wood to reveal the natural surface underneath with this step-by-step tutorial. Discover how to restore your favorite furniture to its original condition or prep it for a new makeover wit fantastic wood care tips and tricks.
Get Your Tools and Safety Gear Ready
Getting chalk paint off wood should always start with safety. Wood furniture stains, paint thinner, or other hazardous materials require care and thought to use correctly. When working with chemicals, it’s essential to have all your tools ready and your safety gear on standby.
Gather a pair of gloves and a face mask, and choose a well-ventilated workspace. You need a sturdy putty knife for scraping and a scrub brush for scouring. Grab a paper towel roll for excess cleanup, and have a clean cloth on hand to soak away the chalkboard paint as it dissolves. Have a garbage bag handy, and dispose of all materials safely.
Start With a Coat of Warm Water
Painting furniture and then stripping and reinventing it is all part of the DIY cycle. Fashion is cyclical, and chalk painting will have its day again. In the meantime, follow some tips about how to remove chalk paint from wood with warm water.
Chalkboard paint is marketed as water-soluble. Soaking the wood in warm, clean water allows the paint to come apart naturally. Wet a cloth, wring drops of water onto the wood, and let it sit for ten minutes.
Wet the wood’s surface with a damp cloth and work it around in light circular motions. Rinse the cloth in clean water and keep at it until the paint residue is gone.
How to Remove Chalk Paint from Wood
Many DIY enthusiasts say the best way to remove chalk paint is to make your own paint remover for wood surfaces with water and mild soap. This method is ideal for kitchen cabinets, walls painted as chalkboards, and any stray piece of chalk paint furniture that requires a fresh look.
Dip a clean cloth into the water bowl and sponge the painted area until moist. Mix two drops of unscented dish soap with some warm water. Plunk your steel wool pad in the soapy mixture and scrub; elbow grease is a real asset here. Wipe the excess paint away with a clean cloth. Rinse, and repeat.
How to Get Chalk Paint Off Wood
Paint thinner or mineral spirits is always an option to clean dried paint splatters off wood furniture. This method requires following safety protocol; wear your gloves and mask, and open the windows for ventilation. Use this strategy on chalk paint, latex paint, or any other regular paint that needs removing.
Choose an eco-friendly paint stripper with a biodegradable formula. Use a paintbrush with a steady brush stroke to apply a thick coating of paint remover. Leave the paint thinner to sit for 30 minutes. Once the chalk paint creases and lifts, begin scraping old paint off a wood dresser with a putty knife.
Give the Wood Time to Dry
Once you finish removing chalk paint from wood surfaces and crevices, give the wood time to dry; experts recommend 24 to 48 hours. Permitting the moisture to evaporate from the wood’s porous surface allows the grain to return to its original shape and size.
Avoid trapping moisture in the wood, as it could affect the quality of your furniture further down the line in the form of cracks and uneven finishes.
Buff the Paint Away With Sandpaper
Raw wood needs a nice, smooth finish before it becomes painted furniture. Sandpaper comes in different grits or degrees of abrasiveness. When choosing sandpaper, consumers buy it based on a number describing the grit level. The standardized rule is the lower the number, the coarser the grit.
Medium-grit sandpaper is 100-150, and coarse-grit sandpaper is anywhere from 40-80. Fine-grit sandpaper is usually enough for delicate home furnishings painted with water-based paint; look for 180-240 on the package. Sand the wood’s surface in straight lines along the wood grain until you feel a smooth finish.
Finish Your Furniture With Wax
Now that you know how to get chalk paint off wood, it’s time to finish the furniture. Freshly stripped and sanded pieces are the easiest to work with and yield the most desirable results. Annie Sloan Wax helps protect and seal your furniture, turning that fabulous raw wood into something exceptional.
A good coating of clear wax softens the finish of natural wood and enhances painted surfaces. For a moodier aesthetic, apply a dark wax coating over the clear wax with a wax brush; the finish becomes deliciously dark and glossy.
We hope you liked learning how to remove chalk paint from wood and feel inspired to paint furniture and tackle new DIY projects around the house. Like most home improvement projects, removing chalk paint requires patience and elbow grease. Of course, a few helpful tips don’t hurt.
Always gather your safety gear and supplies before embarking on a furniture makeover; you’ll be glad to have them ready when you’re wrist-deep in chalkboard paint. Start with warm water and work your way up in paint removal strategies. Don’t use a harsh chemical stripper if you don’t have to.
Give your wood time to dry before rushing a new paint job. Don’t forget to sand the edges smoothly; choose the grit based on the job. Once your furniture is freshly stripped and neatly sanded, finish with a coat of clear wax, or choose a latex paint color you love.
If you appreciated these handy tips for how to remove chalk paint from wood, share this article with your fellow DIY enthusiasts on Pinterest or Facebook to help with those fabulous furniture makeovers.