11 Do’s and Dont’s Outside

Inspiration

11 DO'S AND DONT'S WHEN USING CHALK PAINT™ OUTSIDE

By Annie Sloan

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!

  • 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. 
  • 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.