Have you created a glaze finish over chalk paint?

In looking at how to create a glazed finish over chalk type paint, I’ve found this method I show here, the best, in my opinion.

It can be different adding glaze to a chalk paint (porous finish) than it is to a mineral paint (non-porous finish) that usually has a built in top coat.

For a detailed post on the difference between chalk paint, mineral paint and milk paint – head HERE.

In this post I’ll go through the basic steps I used to prep, paint, stencil and seal. Then I’ll explain the glaze process with the help of a tutorial video I recorded.

Fill in the gaps

I don’t usually fill in every nook and cranny in these roughly hewn timber pieces, but this one had a crack right across the top where the top was joined using two pieces of wood.

So I filled it with wood putty since I was going to paint the entire piece anyway. Allow to dry then sand back.

I used this one, by Timbermate, but you can find similar at your local hardware store. (USA affil link HERE)

After one coat of chalk paint, allow to dry a couple hours at least before adding your 2nd coat and so on. 

This piece covered very well in just 2 coats.

I removed the drawer and the cupboard door to paint those separately as I find that easier to get a neater finish.

For the Rattan stencil, I chose a complimentary colour with Artisan’s Natural Chalk finish, in Creme Brulee.

If you follow any of my stenciling tutorials, you’ll see that sometimes I create a nice solid coverage, and other times I create a soft, rustic look, which is what I was going for with this piece.

I want it to look aged and worn, so when I stenciled I used my swirling method with a very dry brush, and used a heavier hand in some areas, and a lighter pressure in other areas.

Adding a glaze

I have a popular tutorial on glazing using mineral paints, but when using glaze on chalk type paints, I like to seal the porous finish first.

I used Artisan Flat Matte Sealer to seal it all over. This makes it easier for the glaze to spread across the surface. If using the glaze straight on the unsealed chalk paint, the glaze colour tends to sit in the porous surface creating a patchy look.

I used Artisan’s Charcoal Black Glaze for this, but it also comes in Antique Glaze or Clear Glaze which you can colour with any water-based paint.

The video below will show the process I used for glazing:

Here’s how the top surface looks after glazing and sealing.

See how you can create a driftwood type look using the glaze, when wiping across the surface in smooth even strokes.

This effect works well for a number of different colours, just choose a colour that will contrast well with the glaze you opt for.

Artisan also produces in a CLEAR glaze, which is fantastic for creating your own custom colour glazes. Just mix a little paint with the glaze, and you have a custom glaze.

The ratio I use is usually approx 1 teaspoon of paint to 1 tablespoon of glaze. This makes enough to cover a good size bedside table as it does go a long way. Just remember your ratio, so that if you run out, you can make it again in the same strength.

Let me know if you have any questions regarding this project. Have you used glaze before?