Chalk Paint® 101

Painting 101:

Friends don’t let friends paint in situations where peeling will occur!

If there is one thing you can take away from this post- it is to please read the instructions that The Purple Painted Lady provides with your product purchases.  They are really important and will help you be successful the first time you use your products. 

So, for example I thought I would share a couple calls I received this weekend from customers calling with problems.  

  1. Customer calls that Chalk Paint® is peeling off of cabinets in specific areas. 

TRISH: (ring,ring)  Hello, this is Trish, The Purple Painted lady.  How can I help you?

CALLER:  I am working on painting a friend’s kitchen.   I painted my boyfriend’s kitchen already and it turned out awesome, but on this project, I have one coat of paint and it is peeling. Why is this happening?

TRISH:  Okay, Are you using Chalk Paint®?

CALLER: Yes

TRISH: Peeling can happen based on a few things: 

  1. You did not clean the surface well and there is something on it repelling the paint or preventing the paint from adhering correctly
  2. Temperature.  If you are painting in an area where it may be too cold, like under a constant 60 degrees.
  3. What type of surface are you painting?  You do not want to paint over Thermafoil.

Is the peeling happening all over or just in some spots…like near the sink, dishwasher, over the stove, an area near a pet’s food dish or near a garbage can?

CUSTOMER: Yes, it is peeling only in a few spots.  Like right below the sink, a corner near a handle and above the stove.

** since the peeling is only happening in a few spots – this leads me to believe that the problem is isolated to areas that were not properly cleaned.  They can be  dirtier than other areas and may have needed some extra TLC or someone  missed cleaning them as well as they should have been.

TRISH: Did you clean your cabinets per our instructions?  The prep prior to painting with Chalk Paint® is one of the most critical parts.  If there’s any residual dirt, oil etc. left on the cabinets prior to painting,…….the paint will not adhere properly.  (I know this customer has already successfully completed a different kitchen and has experience with painting. But…something is different)

HOW TO REMEDY PEELING PAINT:

Per our instructions, I recommend to clean cabinets, to follow our 2 step process.

  • Wipe down the cabinets with a rag moistened with odorless mineral spirits (NOT the milky white environmentally green kind.)  We like to use the Kleen Strip brand due to the fact that just because a product is labeled “odorless” – does NOT mean that is totally true.  Some “odorless” mineral spirits still have a very strong smell.  We like this brand better than others.)  Once all of the cabinet doors and casement have been wiped down with the a rag moistened with odorless mineral spirits, then go back and follow up using a new rag moistened with fresh water to wipe them again….rewetting and rinsing the rag periodically.  When using the  odorless mineral spirits or the rag with freshwater, neither should be dripping wet!

Sometimes, depending on the amount of crud that may be on a door or area, you may need to use a Scotch-Brite scrubby.  This could be because of where your pet’s food dish is located, or a garbage can is near a cabinet and people miss when throwing things away or by the kitchen sink….. So, in order to clean off any extra “stuff“ for lack of better words ….  meaning “filth, grime or crud”  use a Scotch-Brite scrubby.     

CALLER:  I left the cleaning to my friend.

TRISH: They either did not clean well enough or they did not wipe with fresh water thoroughly enough afterwards.  It could be both?

CALLER:  What do I do now?

TRISH:  I recommend that you lightly sand the peeling paint away and any other loose paint.  Sand enough to feather out the edge to make the surface smooth, versus leaving a crater from the missing paint.  Sand enough of that area to lightly remove any potential left behind residue. 

Then wipe away any dust.

Lightly paint over that area and let it dry.  This should a thin coat, but with total coverage.  It should not re-peel….but if it did and you followed our instructions…text Trish!  Her number is on your instruction sheets. 

 

Once that has dried, wait a few hours and paint again.  The moral of this story- take extra time to clean your cabinets before painting…and do it yourself if you want it done right.  : )

 

2. TEMPERATURE is a factor with paint products…….in fact, ….temperature is a big deal!

Never store or use your paint products or top coats in the cold!  Never store them where it will be less than 55 degrees too!

It’s important that when painting anything ……that the paint is at room temperature ….and the piece being painted, such as a cabinet door or a dresser is at room temperature too. Meaning, you cannot go out to the cold garage turn on a heater for the limited time you are in there and then turn it off, when you leave…..but leave your paint and painted piece to suffer in the cold….your project will fail!    This also means, if you are bringing in a piece from the cold garage and immediately start painting it just because you are in your warm home. The material, be it wood or otherwise of the dresser or cabinet needs to be at room temperature also. This may mean, you may need to wait a few hours before starting to paint.   Once done painting, while the paint dries the piece has to stay at room temperature through the entire curing process.

I had a customer over the weekend who sent me photos because she was painting a dresser and to her surprise, it started to peel on the side of it.  After asking a few key questions, like how did you clean it, what the temperature was where she painted….. She immediately said she painted it in her garage. It was only 30° F outside. She thought it was warm enough in her garage to use the paint and to store the piece while it was drying. NOPE…..it is not, I replied.  Now the paint in some areas is peeling off and will not adhere properly in cold temperatures.   To remedy this, bring the dresser INSIDE…let it get to room temperature on its own.  Then, follow the process noted about where it states “HOW TO REMEDY PEELING PAINT”

And just for good measure-  I thought I would share a little more about painting cabinets.  Paint is basically, all chemistry. It’s a liquid that when dries….. people expect it to be as strong as a military tank. That just doesn’t happen by magic. When people are painting their kitchen cabinets (or floors or laminate/Formica surfaces…or really smooth surfaces ) ……..if possible always apply the first coat of paint in a uniform, thin application, but where you still get complete coverage.  Then…….(if possible) wait til the following day to paint a second coat. Yes, I know we share that you can paint or wax a total of three applications in one day …..but by waiting for that first coat to set, like overnight …..the better it will be on the cabinets. I also tell customers to not try to scratch the paint with their thumbnail and see if they can scratch some off……because guess what….. you will be successful.  This would happen no matter what paint line you’re using. If fact, many paints have a 30 to 45 day cure time. Chalk Paint® is very unique in that, as long as you are gentle initially- you can begin using your painted and waxed piece immediately. This combination is extremely durable but again, you have to allow some time for the chemistry to do it’s thing. 

Here is a link to a post I wrote about painting over super smooth surfacses like laminate or formica.

BUY PRODUCT FROM …..THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY®:

First- if you have a local stockist- go visit them and build a relationship with them.  Go to them with your questions and project issues.  BUT- if you do not have a local stockist- we invite you to try our customer service!

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady® to be your one stop resource!  We have two locations in western NY.  Check out our Information tab and come and meet us!  Otherwise- if you are not located near me- the following information may apply to you.  
 
This information is directed to those who do NOT have a local stockist.  Because if you do – go and meet them, shop from them and build a relationship with them!!!   The guidance, information and knowledge they share with you – will be invaluable.  Get inspired by their shop that they lovingly curated – just for you!   Enjoy that one on one experience!  
 
But for those who are in a location where there is no one selling paint products- and you must buy on-line- consider us.  With that said, visit www.anniesloan.com to find a stockist near you.
 
We are here to help you, our customers!  We want you to be successful!  
 
SOME OF THE REASONS WE THINK THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY® CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:
 
*  We love our customers and it shows!
*  Ordering online?  If you order before 3 pm EASTERN TIME any day Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that SAME day.   We ship orders out every since week day all over the US.  (THIS IS DIFFERENT than SAME DAY DELIVERY. We do not offer that)
*  We offer low flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.
*  We have awesome follow up customer service, too!
*  We sell Chalk Paint® for $34.95
 
 
: )  And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project!  And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!  Lastly- if I was helpful to you- ….please consider leaving a positive review on my Facebook business page sharing your positive experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady®.  Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710    This really helps me!  (wink, wink!)
XO
Trish

The Purple Painted Lady® ~ the serial no. is 86/641,416 with the US Trademark Office

Cleaning Furniture & Cabinets Before Painting

I think we all scavenge Craigslist for incredible finds and sometimes we find the most gorgeous piece- minus all the crud covering it. Or- it is just a piece that needs to be cleaned prior to painting. And I always recommend cleaning down cabinetry in the kitchen, bath, or laundry room prior to painting. No matter the painting occasion, this is what I do at The Purple Painted Lady:

First clean with Mineral Spirits…THEN…wipe it down with a rag that is moistened with clean fresh water!

Using old towels or t-shirts cut up- I apply a little odorless mineral spirits on it and then wipe down the piece.

The rag should be slightly damp, but not dripping! I like to use “real” Mineral Spirits..meaning not the “green” Mineral Spirits that have that milky white appearance. I personally feel it does not work as well as the original Mineral Spirits.

Take your rag and place it on the opening of the Mineral Spirits. Flip the container a couple of times in different areas of the rag. (Think like how you would put nail polish remover onto a cotton swab or ball)

With a tiny bit of Mineral Spirits on your rag, rub the piece in the direction of the grain of the wood. The mineral spirits on the rag will remove grease or dirt. Again, I always do this prior to painting a cabinet job. In the bath- I wipe off residual toothpaste and in kitchens- the cabinets near the dog’s food dish or garbage can are the dirtiest. Such as life though- and we all live in our homes versus using them as a show room.

After wiping down your piece with Mineral Spirits, give it a bit of time to allow the Mineral Spirits to totally evaporate prior to painting. (If you are doing a few pieces- by the time you finish cleaning the last piece- the first will be ready.)

THEN- finish with a clean water rinse!  

The washing with Mineral Spirits will remove any residual oil or grease from the wood if there is any. Mineral spirits will evaporate from the wood completely without leaving any residue. This is the purpose in waiting some time – up to a day after cleaning with mineral spirits… for the mineral spirits to evaporate.

Some people recommend using TSP to clean your furniture- and that is fine too. I personally- have had many customers have issues with this method since they do not thoroughly rinse the furniture or cabinets with water or denatured alcohol after using TSP. I get emails asking, “what did I do wrong? The paint is peeling.” 9 times out of 10- it is because of this!

So I prefer to just use odorless Mineral Spirits. With that said- DO NOT USE THE “Environmentally Green” brand of Mineral Spirits!

Mineral Spirits are a staple in my painting closet and I always have it on hand. Also- if you make a glaze out of your wax using Mineral Spirits- I recommend staying away from the “Green” Mineral Spirits – which has a milky white look to it.

TSP was commonly used prior to the 1970’s to clean walls prior to painting them. The reason for cleaning with TSP was because it etched the gloss of oil based paint, making it rougher so that the next coat of paint would stick better. If you have an oil based paint on your wood, then I’d clean them with TSP if you intend to repaint that wood. But, there is no point whatever in cleaning bare wood with TSP, or latex painted wood with TSP.

If you do use TSP, then I would also clean the residual TSP off the piece of furniture with a clear water wash or denatured alcohol.

Another option:

Use Denatured alcohol. Create a ratio of 60/40 = alcohol to water. Then as stated above, moisten a rag (not soak it.) Wipe down the piece of furniture or cabinets, and then let dry.

OR

Personally- I stay true to using Mineral Spirits again. It is ideal to clean a surface free of any waxy or oily/greasing substances. But Chalk Paint® in general has great bonding capabilities.

But if you cannot purchase Mineral Spirits where you live, or have personal reasons not to use it~ here are some additional options:

Cleaning with one of the following (they are all biodegradable and grease cutters) … Motsenbocher’s TSP Substitute, Dirtex, or Krud Kutter.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW = is that it is extremely important to rinse away any cleaning material to neutralize the Ph after you have cleaned the furniture. That is because you do not want any residual cleaning product left behind. You also want to furniture to be dry when you start to paint.

Hope this little post was interesting and helpful!