GETTING STARTED
- Ensure your surface is free of any dust, dirt, grease or grime by giving it a thorough wash
- Ensure your surface is completely dry prior to applying paint
- Use a fine grit sandpaper (180-220) to lightly scuff any high gloss surfaces (such as laminate). This will help with coverage on your first coat
- Fully sanding your surface or applying a base coat primer is not necessary for adhesion
- On heavily knotted wood and reddish stained antique furniture, consider adding a coat of shellac sealant prior to applying paint to avoid tannin bleed-through
- Stir paint thoroughly from the bottom before and during application
START PAINTING
- Apply an even amount with a quality paint brush, such as our Professional Grade Paint Brush or a roller or sprayer
- Apply in smooth, even strokes in the direction of the wood grain
- Avoid heavy pressure and back-brushing
- Allow 1-2* hours before recoating
- Between each coat, use a fine grit sandpaper to remove an brush strokes, drip marks or build-up
- Remove all dust before recoating
- Wait 24* hours before applying topcoat
TECHNIQUES:
DISTRESSING
Once paint is completely dry, use a fine grit sandpaper (220 grit) or a wet sponge to gently take off some of the paint to allow the original colour or wood to pop through. Distressing looks best when done on the edges and anywhere you would see natural wear and tear on the piece
COLOR WASHING
To achieve a color wash over bare wood or a painted surface, add water to your paint to create a thin liquid. Apply a layer of thinned paint to your surface. Using a brush or lint free cloth, remove excess paint. You can repeat this process with as many layers as you choose.
LAYERING
Apply your first coat of paint. Allow to dry for one hour. Apply a second coat of a contrasting colour. Allow to dry for one hour. Once completely dry, use a fine grit sandpaper (220 grit) or a wet sponge to gently take off some of the second coat to allow the first coat to pop through. You can repeat this process with as many layers as you choose
TEXTURE
To create a super thick paint, leave the lid off you paint for 60 minutes or until you achieve desired thickness. Apply paint with a brush in different directions using different strokes and stippling to create texture. Allow to dry for 2 hours. Apply a second coat in a contrasting color. Allow to dry for one hour. Once completely dry, use a fine grit sandpaper (220 grit) or a wet sponge to gently take off some of the second coat to allow the first coat to pop through. You can repeat this process with as many layers as you choose
ADD A TOPCOAT
Add long lasting protection and durability to your freshly painted surface with a House&Canvas Topcoat.
Choose from our Ultra-Matte Wax Topcoat available in Clear, Amber or Walnut, or our Clear Poly Topcoat, available in Flat or Satin
CHOOSING BETWEEN WAX AND CLEAR TOPCOAT
Wax is made with a blend of natural waxes and is a butter consistency. It can be applied with a wax brush or a lint free cloth. Wax dries to an ultra matte finish (0/5 sheen) and maintains the beautiful chalk finish of our furniture paint. It comes in 3 tints – Clear, Amber and Walnut. Our tinted wax (Amber and Walnut) can be used on light colours to achieve a decorative, antique, aged look or on dark colours to deepen and enrich the colour. Wax is ideal for low to medium traffic areas (use two coats for high traffic areas such as desk tops). It is sensitive to hot and cold liquids (use coaters) and should only be cleaned with mild soap and water.
Clear Topcoat is a water-based polycarbonate and is a liquid consistency. It can be applied with a brush, pad applicator, roller or sprayer. It comes in Flat (1/5 sheen) or Satin (3/5 sheen) and dries crystal clear. Clear topcoat provides excellent durability and is ideal for all surfaces including high traffic areas like kitchen or bathroom cupboards and table tops. It provides UV protection, is resistant to water and can withstand regular household cleaners.
| WAX | CLEAR COAT | |
|---|---|---|
|
Durability |
Low-medium traffic areas |
Low-high traffic areas |
|
Main Ingredient |
Blend of natural waxes |
Water-based Polycarbonate |
|
Consistency |
Soft butter |
Liquid |
|
Application |
Brush or lint-free cloth |
Brush, pad, roller or sprayer |
|
Sheen |
Ultra-matte: 0/5 Sheen |
Flat: 1/5 Sheen
|
|
Tints |
Clear, Amber or Walnut |
Clear |
|
LIGHT paint color compatibility |
Clear: Yes
Amber or Walnut: Adds a decorative, aged, antique look |
Yes |
|
DARK paint color compatibility |
Clear: Yes
Amber or Walnut: Adds depth and dimension. Deepens and enriches color |
Satin: Yes
Flat: The flatting agents required to reduce sheen in flat finish topcoats may slightly reduce clarity and dull dark colors, resulting in hazing and streaking |
|
UV Protection |
No |
Yes |
|
Surface Clean-up |
Mild soap and water only |
Regular household cleaner safe |
|
Water resistant |
No |
Yes |
|
Brush Clean-up |
Mineral spirits, mild soap and water |
Mild soap and water |
|
Ideal for Fabric/Upholstery |
Yes |
No |
FINISHING WITH WAX
CLEAR
Clear Wax Top Coat is a non-yellowing formula that dries crystal clear. Perfect for any paint color
AMBER
The Amber tinted Wax is designed to give neutral colors a lightly aged, antique finish. Layer it until you reach desired effect. Ideal for light colours, like Angora or Champagne
WALNUT
Walnut tinted Wax is recommended for all dark paint colors, as it subtly deepens and richens the color and adds dimension to the finish. Try it on Shadow, Underground and Rich Navy
START WAXING
- Ensure your surface is completely dry and free of any dust or debris
- Wax can be applied with a quality wax brush such as our Professional Grade Wax Brush or a lint free cloth
- A wax brush is ideal for small surfaces and details such as table legs, drawer fronts and tight corners. For large, flat surfaces, such as a table top, use a lint free cloth
- Working in small sections (one drawer front at a time), apply wax in a circular motion to form a thin, even coating
- Gently wipe away any visible excess wax with a clean lint free cloth
CLEAR: Clear wax begins as a cloudy white colour in the container. Once smoothed on the surface it becomes clear and wet looking. You only need to remove any excess wax that still appears cloudy white. Leave the clear, wet wax to dry.
AMBER & WALNUT: These waxes are tinted and designed to add some colour to your surface. Only remove what you want to remove! Our tinted waxes are very subtle and buildable to allow the user to be in control of the overall look.
- Buff to a desired sheen after 60 minutes
- Apply two coats to high traffic areas
Allow 2-4* hours before recoating
Wait 24* hours before light use
Allow 21* days to fully cure before heavy use or cleaning
FINISHING WITH CLEAR TOPCOAT
FLAT
- 1/5 Sheen level
- The flatting agents required to reduce sheen in flat finish topcoats may slightly reduce clarity and dull dark paint colors, resulting in hazing and streaking. Always test House&Canvas Flat Finish Clear Topcoat in an inconspicuous area before beginning. When topcoating dark colors like Shadow and Rich Navy, consider Satin Finish or House&Canvas Ultra-Matte Wax Topcoat.
SATIN
- 3/5 Sheen Level
START CLEAR COATING
- Work in a well ventilated area
- Ensure the surface is completely dry and free of any dust or debris
- Stir thoroughly from the bottom before and during application. Do not shake
- Do not apply over a previously waxed surface
- Apply an even amount using a quality, synthetic bristle brush such as our Professional Grade 2″ Angle Brush or a foam brush, pad applicator, roller or sprayer
- Apply in smooth, even strokes in the direction of the wood grain
- Each stroke should be from one end of the surface to the other
- Do not stop half way through
- Do not use a back and forth stroke
- Avoid heavy pressure and back-brushing
- Allow 2* hours before recoating
- Between each coat, use a fine grit sandpaper (220 grit) to remove any hazing, bubbles, drip marks or build-up
- Remove all dust before recoating
- Wait 24* hours before light use
- Allow 21* days to fully cure before heavy use or cleaning
*Dry time is calculated based on typical environmental conditions. Extreme temperatures or humidity may affect dry time.