Annie Sloan chalk paint

[EarlyIntheMorning]

I want to paint my oak dining chairs. They're currently varnished. Sanding them is going to be a pain. I was wondering, is it possible to just use Annie Sloan Chalk paint without sanding first?

not really as it won't adhere very well . you could use 00 grade wire will if you don't want to sand first and clean with a Liberon cleaner then undercoat then top coat ( like doing your nails. it lasts longer if you do it right !)

whoops typo 'wire wool' !!!

No! I was Annie Sloan's editor for a while. Sand away. If you don't, the paint will just slide off in the night.

Oh okay then. I guess I'll do it properly. Will the paint be durable enough for dining chairs and the legs of the dining table? They will be used frequently. Oh and I have another question. When you say undercoat and then top coat, what exactly do you mean, a primer, then 2 coats of the paint, then a varnish? Thank you both.

I thought the whole point was that you could slap it on anything? It went on fine over orange paint.

I thought you could slap it on anything as well, I have painted several things in my house without any sanding/priming etc. and it's fine!

We've used it over varnish, gloss paint and acrylic without any prep and it's been fine.

That's what it says on the website too... Now i'm confused

why don't you just try it and see ? if it comes off you will just need to do it again !

to clarity - undercoat with primer or undercoat and then top coat with the Annie Sloan paint . no varnish

Isn't the whole point of chalk paint that you don't need to sand & prime

I've done a few pieces now, turned out ok.

I have painted a wardrobe, a blanket box and two bookcases, no primer, no undercoat, just wonderful.

I painted my IKEA varnished dining chairs without sanding or priming and they were absolutely fine. Waxed over the top with Bri Wax.

Lasted years and I ended up selling them on eBay for more than I paid.

No sanding needed. But you must seal with wax or it will just rub off. It looks ok if you don't sand edges off for that shabby chic look, but it does look "Matt" rather than more "polished" look done with f&b for wood, for example. Very forgiving of mistakes and easy to rub off (before you apply final wax) so much easier to work with.

How hard wearing is it over time? I am considering painting the kitchen table legs and a kitchen chair. I like the matt look but am not into shabby chic.

What happens if you need to touch up?

EarlyInTheMorning - did you paint your chairs yet?

calendula - it is really hard wearing if you wax it. You don't have to buff it if you don't want to, so it can still be quite a 'matt' look. If you don't, it will absorb spills etc and mark over time - it will probably also come off on your clothes for a good long while.

To touch up you just paint straight over the wax and rewax.

It's bloody brilliant stuff!