Chalk paint is a great way to make your wood furniture look antique and unique, but what if you want to make it look that way while still looking like wood? You’re probably wondering if you can mix a stain with chalk paint to give you the best of both worlds.
So, can you mic chalk paint with stain? Yes, but only specific ones. Chalk paint is a water-based paint, so it can only be mixed with other water-based products. Luckily, there are stains available that are water-based, meaning you can mix stain and chalk paint together.
For this to work, you need to be absolutely certain that you are buying a water-based stain. Oil-based stain will not mix with chalk paint, and you will be left with a huge mess of product that you can’t use. Let’s read on to learn more!
How to Add Stain to Chalk Paint
If you want to mix chalk paint and stain together, you can, but it will need to be done carefully. The mixture ratio will depend on whether you want more of a stain finish or more of a chalk paint finish. You can use any color stain and any color chalk paint for this, just make sure it is a color you will be happy with.
It is important to note that mixing stain and chalk paint will alter the color you end up with. If you want the least alteration to the color, consider using a color of chalk paint that closely matches the color of the stain.
If you are wanting a mixture that will look more like chalk paint, you will add less stain to the mixture. You would want to do one part of stain to two or three parts of chalk paint. Start with two parts and add a third if you want more of a chalky look.
However, if you want a mixture that looks more like stain with just a hint of chalk paint, you will do the reverse. Add one part of chalk paint to two or three parts of stain. This will give you a slightly thicker consistency than normal stain and just a hint of the chalk paint finish.
Will Stain Bleed Through Chalk Paint?
When you are working with lighter colors of chalk paint, it is highly likely that you will experience bleed through. If you want to prevent bleed through, you will need to prepare the surface properly before you start painting.
The best way to prevent bleed through is by using a sealing primer like a shellac-based primer. If you use a regular water-based primer, you might still experience bleed through. You can also try sanding down the previous stain before applying the primer and the chalk paint.
If you are just noticing the bleed through after you’ve finished painting, there is no need to worry. You can fix the problem with a little bit of primer. You will first need to determine where all of the bleeding is coming from. Once you have the stains located, apply a shellac-based primer to the surface and wait for it to dry.
After the primer dries on top of the paint, you can reapply the chalk paint over. This will get rid of the bleed through stains and prevent bleed through from happening again in the same spots. If you want to be extra careful, you can apply the primer over the entire chalk painted area instead of just where you detected the bleed.
Why Did My Chalk Paint Turn Yellow?
If you are noticing that your chalk paint is turning yellow, this is likely due to bleed through. Old stains have tannins in them, and the tannins are attracted to water. These stains are going to bleed through chalk paint no matter how many coats you put on unless you use a primer.
For this reason, it is extremely important to make sure that you are using a primer that isn’t water based. You will have the best luck with a shellac-based primer because a water-based paint won’t stick to an oil-based primer.
Can I Mix Wood Stain With Paint?
You can mix stain and chalk paint together as long as you are using the same base on both paints. For oil-based stain, you need an oil-based paint and for water-based stain, you need a water-based paint. It is also possible to mix together to different colors of stain.
It is important to mix the paint and the stain thoroughly to make sure you are getting all of the pigments mixed together. If you don’t, your paint can be different colors across your whole project. It is best to mix as much as you can before you start painting.
How to Seal Chalk Paint
There are several different ways that you can seal chalk paint, but five of them are most popular. You can seal chalk paint with a glaze, oil, polyacrylic, Rustoleum, and wax. Each way has their own advantages and disadvantages of being used.
My favorite is Jolie’s Finishing Wax. It gives an amazing finish, and is a great protectant for your chalk paint.
First there is glaze. This is considered one of the most popular sealants for chalk paint. It is offered in different colors, can be applied with a brush or a cloth, and it adds a unique finish to your project. The biggest disadvantage is that glaze isn’t very durable and even clear can impact the color of the chalk paint.
Next, we have oil. Oil is easy to apply to the surface of chalk paint. You will also notice that there are fewer toxins in these oils than in other sealants. The finish provided by oil is a sheen very similar to wax. The bad thing about oils is you can’t paint over them after you’ve applied them, and it doesn’t provide a very smooth finish.
Polyacrylic is a water-based product that is available in spray or brush-on form. This sealant is incredibly durable, can be painted over, and can be applied quickly. There is also a wide range of finishes that you can choose from. The biggest downside to polyacrylic is that it leaves brush strokes, and it can yellow over time.
Rustoleum has a line of chalk paint that also includes a chalk paint sealant. All you need to do is spray the sealant over the chalk paint and let it dry. The product is durable, but not as much as some of the other options. It also has the potential to yellow over time.
Finally, there is wax. Wax is most commonly used because it is inexpensive and provides a really smooth finish. You can easily paint over wax is you want to change the color of the product. The wax also leaves you with a sheen that is unlike any of the others. The downfall is that it can be hard to apply.
Final Thoughts
If you are trying to figure out a way to get an antique finish on your furniture while still getting the classic stain look, you might be able to get exactly what you want by mixing chalk paint and stain together. As long as the stain is water-based like the chalk paint, you will easily be able to mix them together.
When you are using chalk paint with stain, or over stain, you are going to need to use a primer to prevent bleed through. This will keep your project looking new and fresh for longer without turning yellow.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your chalk painted project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
