Techniques

How to: Use Black Chalk Paint® Wax for a Warehouse Look on Furniture

Today, I’m going to show you how to use Black Wax. Here it is here. First of all, because I want a warehouse look, I’ve painted it quite smoothly. And now I’m going to use some Clear Wax first. And I would do the Clear Wax all over. I’m going to put it this way so you can see.

So Clear Wax first. It’s quite a lovely piece of furniture, I think. The wax makes it a little bit darker already and then I take off the excess. Make certain that you cover this surface completely with Clear Wax, don’t leave anything bare because that will affect how that Black Wax looks. I’m going to use the big brush because it makes it cover quickly. Make certain that you get every direction. The grain is all covered. How long you leave this now depends on how dark you want it. So I want it to be not too dark, I think.

I’m going to start wiping the excess off now. What I’m now going to do is go back to taking off a little bit with Clear Wax because it’s darker up there I’m just going to wipe off a bit more. The Clear Wax is acting like an eraser and taking away the dark wax where I need it to be taken away.

A good graphic look without it looking antique-y. That’s what I like. I love the wax you find all sorts of interesting characteristics about the piece of furniture. So here’s my finished piece quite where warehouse-y, very dramatic and I think looks really really gorgeous. I love this piece of furniture!

Learn how to create a warehouse look using Black Chalk Paint® Wax on furniture

Using Black Chalk Paint® Wax on furniture is a great way to create a warehouse look. If you’re more industrial chic than shabby chic, this is a great technique to have up your sleeve. The key to that urban look is in applying Black Chalk Paint® Wax over your painted finish. But to take your finish up a notch, you want to work with Clear Chalk Paint® Wax at the same time. This will give you control over the amount of black applied and allow you to achieve the perfect finish to suit your style.

Step by step guide to creating a warehouse look with Black Chalk Paint® Wax

  1. Paint your piece all over with Chalk Paint® so that you end up with a smooth finish.
  2. One dry, apply Clear Chalk Paint® Wax using a Chalk Paint® Wax Brush. You want to cover the whole surface with wax, wiping off any excess with a lint-free cloth.
  3. Now apply Black Chalk Paint® Wax, moving your brush in all directions. Using a big wax brush will help you cover it quickly!
  4. Next, wipe off the excess with a lint-free cloth. How long you leave the Black Wax on before wiping off the excess depends on how dark you want the final effect to be – the longer you leave it, the darker it will be.
  5. Use Clear Chalk Paint® Wax again to remove any Black Wax where it’s too thick or strong. Clear Wax acts a bit like an eraser and allows you to control the darkness and intensity of the black finish.
  6. Allow the wax to cure (harden) before use. It will be touch-dry within 24 hours, but will take up to 2 weeks to fully harden. You can use it during this time, but be gentle.

It’s surprisingly easy to transform the look of your furniture with wax. The secret is in working with clear and coloured waxes together so you can control the intensity of the colour. If the warehouse look isn’t to your taste, why not try using White Chalk Paint Wax® to lighten your wood?  You can also have a go at using Dark Chalk Paint Wax® to create an aged look. Whatever your style, make sure you support local by shopping your waxes and tools with your local Annie Sloan Stockist.

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