I am asked a lot about topcoat options for painted furniture.
Do I use it?
When do I use it?
What does it do?
Which topcoat should I use?
I thought I would create a post as a good reference for people who have these questions.
What is a topcoat?
A topcoat is an “overcoat”. It is a layer applied over paint to make the paint last longer and more durable.
Topcoats aren’t always a clear coat that goes over paint. A topcoat can also be a wax or a glaze. I have even used stain over paint as a topcoat.
What is the best topcoat for painted furniture?
Here are some of my favorite clear topcoats. If I am using a clear topcoat, I always choose a matte finish because I like the way it looks.
I use Dixie Belle products a lot. They have other sheens besides matte in the clear topcoats.
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The Gator Hide is another clear topcoat that Dixie Belle Paint. It repels water. It is good on those pieces that drinks will be set on (coffee tables, end tables, side tables, dining tables, etc.).
How do you apply a topcoat?
You can use a brush to apply any of the topcoats listed above, but Dixie Belle does have an applicator that makes it so easy to apply and gives you good, solid coverage.
What are some other topcoat options besides the clear coat?
I said earlier that there are other topcoats besides the clear coats mentioned above. Waxes are another great way to add some durability to your painted pieces. I like to use darker waxes over paint colors that I want to deepen and add more character to. White wax is very pretty over many paint colors as well. It just depends on what you want the piece to look like in the end.
Glazes are another great option for a topcoat on your painted pieces. I used a glaze on the blue dresser above. Glazes are forgiving. You can move it around to get the look you want. I apply it with a lint-free cloth. Like the waxes, it gives the paint a deeper color and adds a ton of character!
Do topcoats have to cure?
Yes. All topcoats need time to cure. You don’t want to set anything on them before that cure time is up. Every brand has different guidelines about how long their products need to cure completely. Two weeks is a good overall length of time that will for sure have you covered. After two weeks, you can safely put things on top of your piece.
I have used stain over paint. This was before I was introduced to glazes and waxes. It worked great on the green cabinet in the photo above. I was looking to deepen the green paint color and I had a dark walnut stain color on hand. I put it over the paint and I loved the look. It served as a great protective topcoat.
Do you always use a topcoat?
I don’t, but I would recommend that you do. I don’t mind chippy pieces in our home and the paint wearing over time. If I am selling pieces, I always use a topcoat and if it is a piece that will get a lot of use or things set on them, I will use a topcoat to ensure more durability.
I hope this post answers your questions about topcoats for painted furniture. If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments.
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I just painted a dresser pure white and am afraid of the color yellowing over time if I use a topcoat. Would wax be the safest choice?
Not all top coats yellow. It depends on the brand and the paint. You can always try in a small area in the back and see how it takes it.