Over chalk paint, wax gives the softer, silkier look and suits decorative pieces, while varnish gives the tougher, more washable finish and suits tables, chairs, wardrobes and anything in a kitchen. Pintyplus Chalk Wax Spray is sprayed, spread with a cloth and polished, and needs renewing after some months. Pintyplus Chalk Varnish Spray is a clear matte, water-based varnish that protects the paint from dirt and helps waterproof it. Both keep the matte chalk look. Pick one before you start, because they are applied at different times and don’t go on top of each other.
The short version
- Wax: Pintyplus Chalk Wax Spray, silky touch, for decorative and light-use pieces
- Varnish: Pintyplus Chalk Varnish Spray, clear matte, for daily-use furniture and kitchens
- Timing: wax after 1 hour, varnish at least 24 hours after the last chalk coat
- Upkeep: wax needs renewing after some months, varnish is simply wiped clean
- Rule: choose one, don’t combine them
What is the difference between chalk wax and chalk varnish?
| Chalk Wax Spray | Chalk Varnish Spray | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Clear, silky wax finish | Clear matte |
| How it is applied | Sprayed, then spread and polished with a sponge or cloth | Sprayed in thin coats, nothing to spread |
| When | Over Chalk Finish after 1 hour | At least 24 hours after Chalk Finish |
| Protection | Protects the surface and nourishes untreated wood | Protects from dirt and helps waterproof the paint |
| Upkeep | A maintenance finish, may need renewing after several months | Wipe with a damp cloth once fully dry |
| Price | ₨ 3,740 | ₨ 3,695 |
When is wax the better choice?
Wax is the one to pick when the look and the feel matter most. It leaves a silky, pleasant touch that people like on carved and vintage-style furniture, and it is easy to renew. Pintyplus lists it for untreated wood, wood that was waxed before, and surfaces painted with Chalk Finish.
Good wax jobs:
- Photo frames, mirror frames, boxes and trays
- Decorative shelves and plant stands
- A bedside table or console that is rarely wiped
- Distressed pieces where you want a soft sheen on the worn edges
Pintyplus notes that wax is for open-pore wood and chalk surfaces, not for paints that seal the surface, and that it is a maintenance finish that may need renewing after several months.
When is varnish the better choice?
Varnish is the choice for furniture that works for a living. It protects the paint from dirt and helps waterproof it, so spills and fingerprints wipe off rather than soaking into the chalk.
- Dining tables, coffee tables and study desks
- Chairs and stools
- Wardrobe and almirah doors
- Kitchen cabinets and shelves
- Children’s furniture
It is made primarily for indoor use, so keep varnished chalk furniture inside or in a covered verandah. For a full kitchen project, see our guide to chalk-painting kitchen cabinets and wardrobes.
How do you apply chalk wax?
1. Wait for the paint
Let the last coat of Chalk Finish dry for at least 1 hour and wipe off any loose chalk dust.
2. Spray a small area
Shake the can for a few seconds and spray one section at a time, such as one drawer front or one leg.
3. Spread and polish
Spread the wax with a sponge or a soft cotton cloth and polish it evenly. Harder polishing gives a little more sheen.
4. Add layers if you want
Wait 30 minutes between wax layers so each one can absorb.
How do you apply chalk varnish?
1. Wait a full day
Pintyplus says to apply it at least 24 hours after the chalk paint. In humid weather, give it longer.
2. Shake and spray thin coats
Shake the can for one minute. Hold it 25 to 30 cm away and spray thin, even passes, first horizontally and then vertically. Two thin coats are better than one heavy coat. One can covers about 1.4 m².
3. Let it dry
It is touch dry in 1 hour and fully dry in 24 hours. Don’t put anything on the surface until then.
Which one copes better with Pakistani homes?
For most family furniture here, varnish. Dining tables see tea, oily food and daily wiping, and kitchens collect grease and steam. Dust settles on everything in the dry months, and a varnished surface can be wiped down with a damp cloth. Wax earns its place on pieces that are admired more than used, and on antique-style furniture where a soft sheen is the point.
Neither is sold as a heat-resistant finish, so use mats under hot dishes and cups on both.
Common questions
Can I put wax over varnish, or varnish over wax?
No. Wax is for open surfaces, not sealed ones, and varnish should go onto clean chalk paint. Choose one.
Will varnish make my chalk paint shiny?
No. Chalk Varnish is a matte varnish, so the chalky look stays.
How often do I need to rewax?
Pintyplus describes wax as a maintenance finish that may need renewal after several months. Rewax when the surface looks dry or marks easily.
Is chalk paint usable with no sealer at all?
On decorative pieces, yes. On anything handled or wiped, it will mark, so seal it.
Where to buy in Lahore and across Pakistan
Pintyplus Chalk Varnish Spray is ₨ 3,695 for a 400 ml can, and Pintyplus Chalk Wax Spray is ₨ 3,740 for a 400 ml can. You can pick them up from our shop at Sohail Centre, LG 8, Dil Muhammad Road, Garhi Shahu, Lahore, Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, or order online for delivery anywhere in Pakistan.
Not sure which one you need? Send a photo on WhatsApp to 0321 999 3919 and we’ll tell you.
More on chalk finishes: Furniture & Chalk Finishes