Easy Steps To Chalk Paint A Lampshade
When the user wants to refinish the old lamp but doesn’t want to ruin its original look than applying paint to the lampshade is a great option to give it new life. Due to its ease of use and beautiful finishes, using chalk paint on fabrics is a good idea. The steps to apply the chalk paint on a lampshade are as follows:
- Cleaning: The user don’t need to prepare the surface by stripping or sanding. A simple cleaning or dusting off the lampshade with a cloth is enough. However, the user would only sand if the lampshade has rust, to remove down the already loose paint or any surface debris that would cause lumps in the paint.
- Unplug: Now unplug the lamp and remove the lampshade. However, the user could leave the lampshade attached to the lamp only in case it gives the user a sturdier painting area.
- Brush: Before applying the paint to the area get a brush, the one that is made from natural fibers. The good option is to have a brush that is not too soft or too hard. However, the best brush for chalk paint is one that has good and long bristles and is also flexible of having little bounciness to give the painting a good flow.
- Apply The Paint: Now apply the first coat of the chalk paint, dip the tip of the brush in the paint and apply the brush generously on the area, the user needs to apply the paint in even manner brush strokes. Let the first coat to dry, it can take about thirty minutes for each coat to dry depending on the conditions.
- Lightens: As the paint dries, the paint will soak into the area, so don’t be worried if it lightens up or if an original pattern seeps through. This is the chalk painting charm.
- Continue To Paint: The user needs to continue painting and allow each of the coat to fully dry until the desired look is achieved. If the lampshade has a stripe pattern or any other art on it, that time the user will need to use a darker color for better coverage. This is due to the fact that using a lighter color will allow the design to show through.
Choose The Finish
There are two ways that the user can finish the chalk painted lampshade. Each of the methods will give a different finish:
- Modern Finish: A modern finish will allow the paint on lampshade to dry and show off its original matte finish. After the lampshade has completely dried, take a soft sanding sponge. The important point to remember is to be gentle here, the user is only smoothing the paint and evening out any of the bumps as well as rough spots. Once the lampshade is lightly sanded, then wipe it with a cloth to remove up any leftover dust.
- Wax Finish: The wax finish will give the lampshade a mild sheen or a gloss and it also seals the fabric. The dried chalk paint has the porous and once the wax is applied, it will merge into the paint rightly. Simply apply a small amount of wax on the lampshade. After the wax is applied all over the surface then immediately follow up by buffing it out with the help of the clean, dry cloth.