Fun and easy
for the first time DIYer to the professionalPaint
STEPS
Clean and degrease your project piece. Make any needed repairs. Apply shellac prior to painting if you expect tannin bleed-through may be a problem.
Stir CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay paint very well. It is thick but will thin slightly as you stir it.
Do not paint directly out of the can. Decant paint into smaller container. You may dilute up to 10% with water to reach your preferred viscosity. Wipe lid and container rim, with fresh rag, to keep clean and make future opening and closing easier.
Apply to cleaned piece of furniture with synthetic bristle brush. Use a natural-bristled brush for more texture.
Allow to dry thoroughly. Paint dries from the top to bottom, so allow enough time to completely dry. Use high grit sandpaper or a piece of craft paper to lightly sand between coats, if desired.
Apply second coat, if needed. Allow to dry.
After 3 – 4 hours, apply sealer (Endurance, Flat Matte, or Satin Finish) or wax (Clear Wax or Waxing Cream) to protect finish.
PRO TIP
Before beginning to paint, clean your project piece. Use a good cleaner. (Do not use TSP as it can cause adhesion issues. TSP-substitute is acceptable to use) Make any need repairs to your piece. Light scratches may be covered and hidden by the paint, but if you desire deeper scratches not to show, after painting, now is the time to remove them. (see information reading list below) Paint should be applied in conditions between 55 and 90 degrees F. Re-coat time is 2-4 hours. In high humidity conditions drying may take longer. Paint takes 4 weeks to cure. Give thought to the look you desire your finished piece to have. Using the appropriate type of brush and type of brush strokes will make achieving that result easier. For smother results, use a damp synthetic brush and apply in a linear stroke. Brush paint out quickly and avoid over-working the paint. For a textured finish, use a natural bristle brush and hatch mark type strokes. You may lightly sand with high grit (320+) sandpaper between coats for smoothest results. Read for best cleaning practices. Read to learn when you may need to do more than just clean, prior to painting. To ensure continued freshness of product, decant needed amount of pint into smaller container prior to use. Wipe lid and container rim with fresh rag, to keep clean and make future opening and closing easier. Store any left over decanted product separately in tightly covered container. Protect product from freezing, excessive heat and unstable temperature fluctuations.
Stain + Finish
STEPS
Prep Tips –See this link for more information on how to prepare a surface for staining.
Prepare surface for Stain + Finish. Stir contents well before use and every 10-15 minutes during use. Product has a tendency to settle to bottom of can.
Apply a thin, even coat in the direction of the grain using a staining pad, lint free cloth, or brush.
Remove any excess or pooled stain.
Allow to dry.
Repeat until desired depth of color is achieved, lightly sanding with fine steel wool, sand paper or pad made from craft paper between coats and after final coat.
For high-use pieces, you may need to apply an additional sealer (Endurance) if you used less than three coats of Stain + Finish.
PRO TIP
Always apply stain in the direction of the wood grain for best results.
Stain + Finish can be applied as a ‘glaze’ to a previously painted piece. Apply a clear wax-free sealer-barrier (Endurance, Satin Finish, Clear Glaze) and then apply diluted Stain + Finish with a lint free cloth or brush. Wipe off excess, if desired.
Aging Cream
STEPS
Apply a light coat with brush, finger, or cloth to chosen area.
Allow to rest a few minutes.
Remove any excess.
PRO TIP
Paintbrush Soap
STEPS
Rinse excess paint from brush.
Swirl brush in soap.
Work soap into brush.
Rinse brush in clean water.
PRO TIP
Aging Dust
STEPS
Brush on over a waxed surface.
Allow to sit 20-ish minutes.
Gently remove excess dust.
PRO TIP
Metallic Wax
STEPS
Apply thinly over desired area.
Add additional layers to deepen the effect.
Remove any excess.
PRO TIP
Wax
STEPS
Allow paint to dry completely.
Apply a small amount of wax with a brush or lint-free cloth to the piece, working in small sections.
Allow Clear Wax to dry for 4 – 24hrs. Waxing Cream can buffed immediately.
Buff with a clean soft brush or lint-free cloth to a shine.
Full curing takes about 30 days.
PRO TIP
Use the “less is more” approach when applying wax. Over application of wax will leave a project streaky, hazed and tacky feeling. If this happens, stop applying wax and let the piece dry for several days and then buff.
Do not put any sealer or other products over wax. Waxes should always be the last step, whether as a sealer or an enhancement.
Satin Finish
STEPS
Stir the contents well to incorporate the solids that have settled to the bottom. DO NOT SHAKE CAN.
Apply a very thin, even coat over CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay Paint that has been dry for at least 2-4 hours. We recommend a water dampened, thin, synthetic brush for best application.
Remove any pooling of product or finish may turn milky. (If you are getting a milky finish, you are applying too much.)
Allow to dry for at least 2 hours between coats. Light sanding between every other coat will give smoother final surface. Use a 320 grit or higher sandpaper or brown craft paper folded into a pad.
Up to 6 thin coats may be applied for high use, especially on tabletops or cabinetry. We recommend a minimum of 2.
PRO TIP
Product does not yellow. If you are ‘heavy-handy’ and getting a milky appearance, you may dilute with water up to 10%. Stir product every 15-20 minutes during use to keep it properly incorporated.
Wax may be applied OVER Satin Finish for a hand-waxed feel, but is not mandatory. For best results, if you want to apply Satin Finish over a previously waxed surface, wipe surface with denatured alcohol prior to application.
Product may be applied in temperatures between 55-95 degrees F. Re-Coat time is 2 hours. Full cure time is 4 weeks.
To ensure continued freshness of product, decant needed amount of Satin Finish into smaller container prior to use. Wipe lid and container rim with fresh rag, to keep clean and make future opening and closing easier. Store any left over decanted product separately in tightly covered container.
Endurance
STEPS
Stir the contents well to incorporate the solids that have settled to the bottom. DO NOT SHAKE CAN.
Apply a very thin, even coat over CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay Paint that has been dry for at least 2-4 hours. We recommend a water dampened, thin, synthetic brush for best application.
Remove any pooling of product or finish may turn milky. (If you are getting a milky finish, you are applying too much.)
Allow to dry for at least 2 hours between coats.
Light sanding between every other coat will give smoother final surface. Use a 320 grit or higher sandpaper or brown craft paper folded into a pad.
Up to 6 coats may be applied for high use, especially on tabletops or cabinetry. We recommend a minimum of 2.
Hot pads and/or coasters are always recommended for use on any painted furniture for added protection.
PRO TIP
Product does not yellow. If you are ‘heavy-handy’ and getting a milky appearance, you may dilute with water up to 25%. Stir product every 15-20 minutes during use to keep it properly incorporated.
Wax may be applied OVER Endurance for a hand-waxed feel, but is not mandatory. For best results, if you want to apply Endurance over a previously waxed surface, wipe surface with denatured alcohol prior to application.
Product may be applied in temperatures between 55-95 degrees F. Re-Coat time is 2 hours. Full cure time is 4 weeks. To ensure continued freshness of product, decant needed amount of Endurance into smaller container prior to use. Wipe lid and container rim with fresh rag, to keep clean and make future opening and closing easier. Store any left over decanted product separately in tightly covered container.
Glaze
STEPS
Apply clear glaze to a piece painted with CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay Paint that has dried at least 4 hours. Allow Clear Glazed piece to dry for at least 3 hours.
Tint clear glaze with CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay Paint, Stain + Finish or universal colorants.
Work in small areas for best results. Apply with brush, staining pad or dampened rag.
Working quickly, wipe off excess with clean, damp rag prior to product drying to touch.
Allow to dry. Full dry time is 4-6 hours.
Once dry, apply protective finish of wax or a brush on top coat of Endurance or Satin Finish. Decorative pieces or pieces not handled often can be left as is.
See the printable PDF for more detailed techniques.
PRO TIP
Always apply a clear first coat of glaze first. This seals the minerals in the paint and gives you more workability of tinted product. Product may be diluted up to 20%.
Tint Clear Glaze with CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk + Clay Paint, Stain + Finish or universal colorants. Always mix sufficient amount of tinted glaze for use on entire project as getting an exact match on future batches is difficult.
Work in small areas. Keep clean, damp rags handy to wipe away excess tinted glaze.
Always practice and perfect your glaze technique on a sample board prior to use on furniture or cabinets.
Product may be applied in temperatures between 55-85 degrees F. Full cure time is 4 weeks. To ensure continued freshness of product, decant needed amount of Clear Glaze into smaller container prior to use. Wipe lid and container rim with fresh rag, to keep clean and make future opening and closing easier. Store any left over decanted product separately in tightly covered container.
Flat Matte
STEPS
Stir prior to use.
Apply thin coat with thin synthetic brush.
Remove any pooled product.
Do not allow previous coat to completely dry. Apply second coat over damp first coat.
Remove any pooled product.
We recommend 3 coats, each applied to slightly damp previous coat.
Allow 2-3 hours to dry. Four weeks to fully cure.
PRO TIP
Flat Matte does not alter the color of the painted piece. Flat Matte is a water-resistant sealer if used on real wood. Flat Matte may be applied over Endurance or Satin Finish for increased durability. Wax may be applied OVER Flat Matte.
Product may be applied in temperatures between 55-95 degrees F. Re-coat time is while previous coat is damp. Full cure time is 4 weeks. To ensure continued freshness of product, decant needed amount of Flat Matte into smaller container prior to use. Wipe lid and container rim with fresh rag, to keep clean and make future opening and closing easier. Store any left over decanted product separately in tightly covered container.
General Safety Warning
Any time you sand, we recommend you use Personal Protection Equipment to ensure you do not inhale any of the dust.
Never cut into old layers of paint on a project if you are not 100% sure it does not contain lead-based paint. You do not want to release the lead into your environment.