Varnish over chalk paint?

[Devora]

My bathroom storage consists of some grotty old shelves - the top in particular gets very heavy wear, and is often wet.

Yesterday I slapped a load of chalk paint over it (Rustoleum Winter Grey - lovely, highly recommended). But it will stay lovely for about 5 minutes on the top. I was thinking of perhaps tiling over the top, but then wondered about a couple of coats of clear matt varnish instead.

What do you think? Is it possible to varnish over chalk paint? Will it change the colour a lot?

[LipglossHoney]

How odd I should spot this post. I've bought a tester of Rustoleum winter grey yesterday - to test today! I hope it turns out nice!

The bloke in B and Q said the Rustoleum finishng varnish goes nice over it.

[Devora]

We are psychically connected, Lipgloss. Yes, I like the Winter Grey a lot - more than the Annie Sloan greys. I also found the Rustoleum paint easier to work with. Hope it works for you!

Many thanks for the info re. varnish. I am sorely tempted to just go for it with the varnish I have at hand...

[Beckylw]

I used Annie Sloan chalk paint in bathroom and varnished (water based so quick dry). Looks great and is easy clean.

[MsSampson]

I used an acrylic spray varnish over some rustoleum chalk paint which has worked well, and kept the matt appearance too.

I do find the sheer amount of different paint finishes and waxes/varnishes not to mention brands available these days pretty baffling though. Am curious as to how different they actually are from one another.

[ChocolateCherry]

I painted a bedside table with emulsion (had some left from the walls so it matched) and went over it when dry with Polyvine. It comes in gloss and matt iirc. It's been good, no problems at all.

[Devora]

Excellent, you've all inspired me! Thanks so much.

MsSampson, you're quite right. I tend to operate a simple system: if I can't be bothered to prep, chuck chalk paint at it. Works for me . But despite the bafflingly proliferating choice of paints, they are way nicer than they were a generation ago, aren't they? Like foundation, or London buses.

[MsSampson]

Devora, you are right, they are much better. But I do sometimes think it's a bit like wipes. You know how you get face wipes, and bum wipes, and kitchen and bathroom and even pot plant wipes? I always suspect they are just basically baby wipes. So, is my tile paint just gloss? And so on.

But yes, I am a lazy and impatient diy - er so chalk paint is amazing.

[Devora]

They're for suckers like me, who get a ridiculous thrill out of the whole thing of paint-buying. (Mind, if you saw my ridiculous collection of household wipes - even knowing, as I do, that they all do the same thing and what they do could be done far more cheaply by a J cloth with a bit of fairy liquid - you wouldn't be at all surprised.)

[Devora]

Should add that my shelves are now painted and varnished and look very nice indeed. I'm now planning to paint my kitchen chairs this same colour.

[Frenchie23]

I think I'm a bit late here but hoping I may get an answer! Does the finishing varnish keep the Matt finish? Xx

[Dowser]

Yes I’ve resurrected an old thread .
Yesterday I bought the same paint as op.
I thought chalk paint was going to cover in one go.
Anyway I’ve done one coat. It’s patchy full of brush strokes so am hoping today’s coat will be better.

Do I need to buy Rust-Oleum wax or is there something better that will protect them ( small tables)
Thank you

[Aridane]

Hi, OP - was wondering how you got on?

You can use wax over the chalk paints - eg Annie Sloan wax. However, I find it a pain to apply and it isn't that durable - eg you're supposed to touch up every few months and isn't great for heavy use and will show water stains etc.

I am going to try using a varnish called Polyvine Wax Finish Varnish which is recommended here -
chicmouldings.com/wax-or-varnish-over-chalk-paint-the-showdown

The chalk paints went on a dream over pine - no sanding or undercoat required (though needed x2 coats of paint). But the sanding is a right pain.

[Aridane]

(sorry - that was @Dowser )