Troubleshooting – FAQs
A yellow or pink stain has appeared in my new paint layer. How can I cover it?
If you see a yellow or pink stain coming through your new paint layers – especially on older furniture from the 1930’s and 1940’s – apply Clear Topcoat Sealer available at ArtHaus150. One or two coats of Clear Topcoat Sealer applied with a brush will stop this from happening. There is no need to remove the stained layer of paint; you can apply Clear Topcoat Sealer directly on top. It dries quickly, and then you can get on with your painting!
My paint is not sticking. What should I do?
A clean surface is important for any paint project. Remove the loose paint with sandpaper and inspect the surface. Wipe away any heavy buildup of greasy, waxy or oily residues with a soft rag moistened with mineral spirits. Then clean with soap and water. Use a Scotch Brite pad to lightly scrub the surface, and a soft brush to work into open grain and intricate carvings. Rinse well with warm water and let the piece dry completely. Then reapply your paint.
I painted a piece of furniture that had been previously maintained with spray furniture polish and the paint cracked. How do I fix this?
Many spray furniture polishes contain dimethicone, a silicone used as a film former to protect surfaces. This silicone can cause cracks to appear in your paint layers, especially along edges. Sand the affected areas with fine grit sandpaper. Then seal the surface, including the remaining paint, by wiping on one or two coats of Clear Topcoat Sealer with a brush. Once the sealer is dry, reapply your Chalk Paint™.
My finish feels sticky and leaves fingerprints. What can I do?
Don’t worry if this happens. It is easily fixed by simply applying another thin coat of Annie Sloan Soft Wax. This will soften or “melt” the underlying wax, making it easy to remove all of the excess wax that is causing the stickiness and smearing. Work in manageable sections and remove the excess wax with clean soft cloths as your go. Have several cloths available and change to a clean cloth when the old one becomes clogged with wax.
A water glass left a mark in my finish. How do I repair this?
Annie Sloan Soft Wax offers water resistance, but it is not waterproof. Spills should be wiped up as soon as possible. If spills remain on the surface, the moisture can penetrate through the wax coating and leave a mark. These marks typically disappear as the moisture evaporates, but if not, you can use a bit of Annie Sloan Soft Wax on a soft cloth to rub it out.
What is the best way to remove wax?
Annie Sloan Soft Wax can be easily removed by wiping the surface with a clean rag moistened with a small amount of low-odor mineral spirits. Have several rags on hand and switch to a clean one when the one you are working with becomes clogged with wax. Wipe repeatedly until your rag remains clean. Take care with your used rags. Place them first in a bucket of water and then spread them out on the lawn to dry. They can then be disposed.