Can I paint on plastic? Really
Yes! Vermont Chalky Paint® is a durable, non-toxic paint that requires no sanding, no waxing - just PAINT! You can see for yourself how easy it is with this interview our founder, Sarah Spencer did on our local news station, WCAX:
I'm allergic to latex. Can I use your paint safely?
Yes! Our formula is water-based and uses PolyWhey® technology (for adhesion) so it contains NO latex and has a very low VOC level of 36 g/l with no mutagens or carcinogens!
What about waxing? Do I HAVE to?
No, unless you want to add a distressed look to your piece, then feel free! Our paint requires no sanding, no priming and no complicated waxing after, yet high-traffic surfaces such as floors, countertops or cupboards may benefit from our non-toxic alternative to polyurethane, our Vermont Chalky Paint Clear Coat or Decoupage formulas.
How does Vermont Chalky Paint® work on old varnishes?
Very rarely, you’ll come across a piece that needs a little extra TLC. In the early testing of our paint, we had an old 1940’s desk that had a red mahogany hue that was REALLY challenging to cover. We did need to use more coats than usual due to the bleed of these formulas that were used in the 40’s, but it did work out.
Make sure you clean your piece carefully with soap and water and old-fashioned elbow grease. We do NOT recommend using chemicals such as TSP or any other commercial cleaners.
● Mold and Mildew: Use 2 capfuls of bleach to a gallon of water. Use gloves and wipe down the affected area. Allow the piece to dry completely before painting.
● Mahogany/Red Stains: You may have to use a primer in these instances. Kilz works great for this.
● Raw Pine: Be careful when refinishing a pine piece. Sometimes the resins can seep through giving little bumps to the piece.
How to Test:
Find a small discreet section on your piece, (Not underneath the chair, etc. because you want to ensure your test also includes any furniture polish, etc. that may have been used in the past,) and paint a small 1” section. Let it dry overnight. Scratch the middle with your nail. If it adheres, you’re good to go. If it flakes off a bit, remember, it takes 30 days for a quality paint to cure on the surface (especially plastic!) You may have to give some of these pieces a little TLC, but it’ll be worth it in the end. However, if you find a piece that fights with you from the beginning, it may be time to just walk away.