Painting fabric with Fusion Mineral Paint

Painting fabric with Fusion Mineral Paint
Chair painted with Fusion Mineral Paint

In our shop we frequently get asked Can I paint fabric with Fusion Mineral Paint? Today we are giving a simple tutorial on how to paint fabric with .
Painting fabric shouldn’t be a daunting task. Rather, it is a quick, inexpensive, and easy way to change the overall look of outdated furniture to suit your style. Here are some top tips on how to achieve a perfectly flawless finish that is smooth and feels like leather when painting almost any fabric.

It is important to realise that all fabrics are different and will vary in how they take the paint, therefore it is important to experiment a bit to see if you will like how it will turn out. Painting a seating cushion? Start by painting the bottom side with all the steps below to see how it turns out before tackling your entire sofa or chair!

The most successful types of fabric to paint are Cotton, Polyester, Burlap, Vinyl and Leather.
You may find it a problem to paint velour or velvet as they tend to not result in a perfect finish, however it possible with patience and pratice.

How do you know when to paint fabric, and when not to?
When deciding whether or not to paint fabric, you need to decide the value of your piece: would you be absolutely devastated if the finish didn’t work out to your liking? Is it an heirloom that has been in your family forever? If it is, then perhaps painting it isn’t such a good idea. Instead seek out a professional re-upholsterer. Second hand finds are great for this type of treatment. No attachment, Nothing gained – nothing lost. Look for items that are of solid construction, no smells or obvious stains.

Before and after painting fabric process
Before and after painting fabric

The Process
Before starting make sure you clean the fabric. If there are stained areas that change the texture of the fabric and cannot be cleaned you may want to upholster instead.

1. Apply your first coat made up of 1 part paint to 1 part water.This helps to absorb the paint into the fabric more, and almost dye the fabric, versus a coat of paint sitting on the fabric. ( Skip adding water if painting on Vinyl or Leather)

2. Sand with a fine grit paper to soften. This will take down any roughness of the fabric. Sometimes when you paint fabric, little fibers tend to raise up, so you knock those back with a sanding pad or fine sand paper. This takes very little effort.

3. Apply another coat of paint but this time use less water and more paint. 1 part water to 2 parts paint. ( Again skip adding water if painting vinyl or leather)
This will again help it to soak in really easily. If you think you only need 2 coats of paint and you’re getting really good coverage, you can skip watering down your second coat, and go straight to a full strength paint coat for your final layer.
Next apply a 3rd layer, if necessary, of pure paint. Be sure to sand between each coat of paint for a super smooth finish.

4. Apply wax as a top coat. This isn’t strictly necessary as Fusion has a built in top coat. However it will soften the fabric and make it feel like leather. Always apply thin coats of wax and buff as necessary. We recommend using either Fusion beeswax finish or MMS Furniture Wax.

Aftercare
Once fully cured (approximately 30 days depending on weather conditions) the painted fabric is washable. We would recommend washing by hand with cold water. Do not wash with any other items! Leave to air dry.

What if I get paint on my clothes?
Not all of us are tidy painters and accidents do happen. If you get paint on your clothes our advice is to wash it as soon as possible. Scrub the affected area with Fusion Brush Soap and water. Then machine wash ASAP.

Chalk Paint™ Lacquer

Chalk Paint Lacquer in matt
Annie Sloan chalk paint lacquer

Annie Sloan’s new Chalk Paint™ Lacquer gives a hard wearing protective finish which is suitable for either indoors or outside.It has been especially developed for use with Chalk Paint™. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Lacquer includes an in built UV protection to keep colours vibrant when used outdoors. It is low in VOCs and is also certified as toy safe. The lacquer is available in either matt or gloss finish and can be applied by brush, roller or spray gun.

Annie Sloan recommends her Chalk Paint™ Lacquer to protect floors, outdoor furniture and kitchen units. Remember! Do not apply Lacquer over a waxed surface. Be sure to always test an area with paint and lacquer before you begin as results can vary depending on previous treatments. Always stir the lacquer well before using and regularly during use. Don’t over brush. Each tin will cover up to 19 m². Use a high quality brush or roller and apply methodically. Annie’s top tip is to dilute the lacquer with 10% water when applying over Chalk Paint™ for a more even finish.
Curing time for maximum protection takes 14 days but the lacquer should be touch dry and ready for a second application after 2 – 24 hours.

Outdoor use. Apply at least two thin coats to ensure full coverage – any parts you miss will be susceptible to water ingress, which could then cause the Chalk Paint™ underneath to peel over time. Annie recommends storing your up-cycled furniture indoors or undercover in the winter to prolong the life of the finish.

Aftercare Immediately wash your brushes or rollers in warm soapy water. To protect Chalk Paint™ Lacquer finished furniture, clean with a damp cloth using mild soapy water. Avoid regular use of harsh chemicals. Store left over Chalk Paint™ Lacquer in a cool dry place and maximise shelf life by decanting tins that are less than half full into smaller, air tight containers. For best results use Chalk Paint™ Lacquer within one year of purchase.

* Use Matt and Gloss Chalk Paint™ Lacquer side by side to create textural contrast and interest!
* Floss finishes are generally more robust than matt – for an extra durable finish, apply 1-2 coats of Gloss followed by one of Matt.
* Cloudiness – Use Matt Lacquer sparingly over dark colours, as a build up of product can cause the flattening agents in the Matt Lacquer to give a
white haze to the finish.
*Bleed through – Wood surfaces can be unpredictable. The application of Lacquer can draw out tannins or stains from a previous finish,causing
yellowing. Patch test before painting the entire piece – if staining occurs seal the whole surface of your furniture with shellac or another stain blocker ahead of painting. Chalk Paint™ Lacquer can sometimes work as a sealant. Test first!

Annie Sloan chalk paint lacquer in gloss  being painting on a garden chair in florence
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Lacquer in Gloss