painting built-in wardrobes

[roadwalker]

We have those wardrobes in our bedroom with slatted doors
Useful but not pretty
I would like to paint them, I fancy a chalky blue and white so like a beach hut effect
I dont want shiny gloss though, what other paint could I use to get a more matt finish?

Annie Sloan chalk paint. You can paint it on almost anything. I've done a wardrobe and some chests of drawers with it and they look great now!

Don't use a matt because it wont be wipable and will mark very easily. You want to go for a silk or better, an eggshell finish. Are the slats already painted/varnished? if so you might be better getting an melamine primer to paint them with first or the paint will just end up flaking off.

I have heard that annie sloane chalk paint is good but again, wont it mark like mad? Don't go for farrell and ball - expensive and shite! Alot of decorators use crown trade - not the cheapest but it covers really well and sticks! We used this to paint some kitchen cupboards for a client and the result was very pleasing, similar sort of colours. They can mix the paint to lots of colours too, i think you have to get it from either Wickes or Brewers. B&Q don't do this for crown

Early days with mine, so I can't say if it marks or not. They do recommend that you cover it with a wax (or a special laquer if it likely to be subject to a lot of abuse).

I love Annie Sloan paint. I think the joy of it is that it's so matt and imperfect. I like that it marks. You don't have to do it all shabby chic though. Everything I've painted is flat matt with wax on - no sanded edges.

I think it depends what you're after.

Same here. I had one go at sanding and trying the shabby chic thing on a mirror frame and it looked a bit crap.

The slats don't look varnished. No shine there anyway
Does the Annie Sloan cover well?

Really like the sound of this Annie Sloan paint - so it just paints over anything? Those fitted wardrobes made of like kitchen cupboard stuff?.. Has anybody done the MDF type furniture with it?

Izzy it covers anything. Sometimes you need a second coat but it dries really quickly so that's not arduous at all.

I say satinwood. It does not hold the dirt and you can wash it down.

Another vote for satinwood - I've used it on lots of things over the years.

I've painted unfinished wood with satin wood before and it's worn very well.

I'm going to use Zinsser primer. It comes out an off-white colour with a slighty 'putty' hint. I have used it on a few bits of furniture, and I like the finish (no extra paint on top). It dries in about half an hour too, so it's easy enough to get 2-3 coats done in a day.

It stinks to high heaven though, and is impossible to wash off brushes so be prepared to chuck them afterwards.

I believe you would be able to clean the brushes in meths, because it contains shellac.

Yes I read something about dipping them in white spirit every few minutes. It dries lighting fast. I usually use mini foam rollers from Poundland.

meths is alcohol, and dissolves shellac. White spirit is mineral oil, and doesn't.

(hence, a restorer told me, you can clean old French-polished furniture with white spirit and it will not take the polish off. I haven't tried it.

Ah ok. That's why it doesn't clean the bridges. Thank you.

Brushes