The nights are drawing in and we’ve got the urge to make our homes as cosy as possible for the coming autumn and winter. Time to crack open the paint tins!
Sometimes a change of colour is all you need to freshen up tired walls or bring bland second-hand furniture to life. We’re obsessed with Frenchic® Paint because it’s easy to use and comes in a glorious rainbow of tasteful matte or satin colours.
Plus, you can use Frenchic to paint almost everything, from floors to laminate cabinets! There’s never been an easier way to give your space a makeover.
What is Frenchic® Paint?
Did you know that Frenchic is the fastest-growing chalk paint company in the UK?
There are over 500 stockists, and Nest is one of them! We’ve recently been trained in how to apply the various Frenchic paint ranges, from painting techniques and finishes to the best tools for various upcycle projects.
Different surfaces require different preparation and sealants, so we thought we’d compile our top tips on how to get started upcycling with Frenchic chalk paint.
Be warned: this could get addictive!
How do I use Frenchic Chalk Paint?
The way you use Frenchic paint depends on the surface you’re upcycling.
You’ll typically need between 1-3 coats.
750ml is the standard tin size and costs £19.99. Smaller tins cost just £9.99 and are perfect for wee projects like upcycling picture frames and smaller items.
For Furniture
You can use any of the ranges on your furniture however, it’s important to prepare your surface to achieve the best possible result and use a sealant where required.
Begin by removing dirt with a clean, dry cloth.
Next thoroughly clean your surface with a sugar soap solution. Frenchic recommend one part sugar soap per 10 parts water. Apply the sugar soap solution all over with a sponge and rinse clean. Make sure all dirt and grease are removed.
Use filler to hide any dents or imperfections then lightly sand the surface. This will give the surface a ‘tooth’ for the paint to adhere to. Wipe down with a dry cloth to remove any specks caused by sanding.
Cover handles or features you don’t wish to paint with masking tape or frog tape. And remember to lay down newspaper or dust sheets to save your carpet!
Ok, time to paint! A good rule of thumb is to start at the bottom of your chosen surface and work your way up. Chalk paint dries fast so you’ll have to work quickly or risk an uneven finish. We advise waiting 2 hours in between coats.
A quick note on brushes:
For best results Frenchic recommend using an oval brush of mixed synthetic and 70% horsehair. The bristles are specifically designed for use with chalk paint.
Don’t be alarmed if your brushes shed bristles when new. To help avoid this be sure to wash brushes before you first use them, and also wash thoroughly in between coats. Chalk paint dries fast and becomes waterproof, so you’ll never get the paint off the brush unless you wash them straight away.
Ceramic tiles
Bet you didn’t know that you can use Frenchic on ceramic tiles!
Better news still, there’s no need to prime. A simple sugar soap scrub will be enough to prepare your tiles for painting.
Apply the paint in the same direction with a small roller for an even finish. Again, leave for 2 hours between coats.
Painting walls and trims with Frenchic
You can use Frenchic’s special wall paint to decorate your bedroom or living room walls. Clean the wall you’re painting as you would any other surface. Apply your chosen colour with a roller or brush.
For walls you’ll probably need 2 coats. Bear in mind that it could take 10 days to fully cure. There are currently 100 colours to choose from, with another 50 to come. The biggest challenge will be to choose one!
Frenchic Trim Paint Range has a lovely, subtle satin sheen and is perfect for skirtings, doors and radiators, teamed with the matching ultra-matte Chalk Wall Paint. Also works fantastically used in its own right for other interior surfaces including furniture and kitchens!
Painting floors with Frenchic
For flooring we recommend using Frenchic’s Al Fresco Inside/Outside paint. It’s hard-wearing, UV resistant, and weatherproof making it suitable for most types of flooring, including laminate, wood, ceramics, and metal.
To prep your floor lightly sand and hoover. Ensure the surface is wiped completely clean to prevent any grains or specks showing through the paint. ‘Cut in’ with a paintbrush first to avoid getting paint on the walls or skirting board (you could also tape these areas).
Apply your paint with a large roller and remember to work backwards towards the door. Leave to dry for a few hours between coats. And remember to wear socks until the paint has fully cured!
This range has been rigorously tested by Frenchic to a certified standard, making it safe to use in any room (and ideal for painting children’s toys).
Do I need to prepare surfaces?
When using Frenchic Paint there’s no need to prime because they are all are self-priming. A light sanding and washing down with Sugar Soap is generally all you need to do.
Do I need to seal Frenchic Paint?
When using Frenchic Original Artisan, it’s a good idea to apply wax or a finishing coat to seal and protect your handiwork. However, the Lazy Range and Al Fresco Range are self-sealing.
Advantages of using Frenchic paint
Frenchic fans love the paint’s durability and suitability for multiple surfaces. Another great advantage of Frenchic is that it contains non-toxic ingredients, unlike many other paints making it eco-friendly, pet-friendly and certified for use on children's furniture and toys (EN17:3).
Frenchic’s Lazy Range paint is also self-levelling (meaning minimal brush marks) and self-sealing, which means you don’t have the extra hassle and expense of sealing the paint with wax.
What Can I Upcycle With Frenchic Paint?
It’s surprising the number of things you can paint using Frenchic!
Glossy Laminate Furniture
Frenchic’s Al Fresco, Lazy Range and Trim Paint are perfect for painting laminate surfaces and don’t require any primer. Prepare your laminate surface with a sugar soap scrub-down and sanding then transform those glossy surfaces in your favourite Frenchic shade. Works beautifully on radiators! For more details check out the Frenchic Blog How To Paint Glossy Laminate Furniture
Garden Furniture
If your garden furniture is looking worse for wear, then try upcycling them with a coat of Al Fresco. Al Fresco is UV resistant and highly durable, but you’ll need 2 coats to make it waterproof. Don’t forget the all-important sanding step first!
UPVC doors
Give your front door a facelift with Al Fresco.
You know the drill by now: sugar soap, sand, then apply the paint.
Fabric
Frenchic state that their paint hasn’t been specifically designed for painting fabric, however, that hasn’t stopped fans having a go.
DIY designers have successful upcycled leather sofas and fabric footstools. Frenchic recommend thoroughly deep cleaning fabric first, otherwise the paint will disconnect.
Bicycles
Got a beautiful vintage bike gathering dust in the shed? Give it a lease of life with Frenchic chalk paint. We think this one by Frenchic Fan member Debs Wilson makes a lovely garden decoration.
Shoes
Yes, you can even use chalk paint to upcycle a pair of wellies or trainers! The uses of Frenchic chalk are endless.
For more inspiration you can join the Frenchic Fan community on Facebook (we’re slightly addicted to scrolling through all the makeover posts).
Other Frenchic Products Tips
- Did you know that you can add Tuff Top finishing coat to paint to make a glaze? A 50/50 mix will act as a sealant and can also be used outside. This method also works to seal terracotta pots, MDF, wood, and even worktops.
- Frenchic’s metallic paint can be used outside like Al Fresco
- Frensheen is a powder product that you mix with wax to make a gilding paste
- Frenshimmer can be used outdoors and is perfect for metalwork. Simply add water if you need a thinner coat
- You can add up to 10% water to paint without affecting the coverage
- Frenchic paint is breathable and suitable for historic buildings
What range of Frenchic paint and products are available at Nest?
If our post has inspired you to have a go with Frenchic, you’ll be pleased to hear that we carry a range of Frenchic products at Nest.
We stock a selection of colours and tin sizes in all the paint ranges for big or small projects, wax, sealants and a range of brushes. We’re also newly trained by Frenchic representatives so will be able to advise which range of paint will work best for your project.
Our favourite thing about Frenchic paint is the wide range of beautiful colours. Here are some of our current favourite shades
Are you feeling the urge to upcycle after reading our post? We told you it was addictive!