Are you in need of some tips and tricks for paint projects to turn that old furniture into a stunning new piece? Want to transform your space into your unique style? Look no further!
First Steps for Success
- Cleaning furniture is a must! Start by using a correct cleaner such as our White Lightning or Pristine Clean on your piece. Most painting fails happen when a piece has dirt or residue.
- Once clean and dry, always start with a slightly damp brush (unless you’re dry brushing, of course).
- You don’t need a lot of paint on your brush. Our paint has beautiful, thick coverage.
- Keeping the paint moist will help it go further and last longer for more projects. You can always add more water to the paint. (Don’t forget; it’s water-based). A great tool is using a mister for a fine water mist to keep your paint slightly moist.
- Take your time. Don’t feel like you have to hurry. Painting with Dixie Belle Paint is relaxing and fun!
- Invest in the right tools like the Dixie Belle Paint synthetic brushes, chip brushes, and more.
- Your first piece may not be perfect. Don’t give up. Get creative! Watch videos, read blogs, study photos, and most importantly, experiment! Join us on social media too – our community is welcoming and full of great advice.
Top Coat & Cure Time Tips
- Apply a sealant: wax, top coat, Terra Tuff, Extra Coat, or Gator Hide in very thin coats in one direction. Learn more here!
- Store your Blue Sponge inside your Gator Hide instead of cleaning it after every use.
- Dry time and cure time is so important. Never rush a project. If you do, you might end up spending more time correcting your mistakes.
Have you tried this?
- When blending, spray your piece with water to help move the paint.
- Change the color of Best Dang Wax with one of our 64 amazing colors.
- Apply paint with baby wipes to create a stained look.
- Put Vaseline around the lid of the paint jar to keep it from getting stuck.
For more painting tips and tricks, subscribe to our YouTube and join our Chalk Mineral Paint Enthusiasts Group on Facebook!
I would like to have some information about choosing brushes. Are the oval, flat and the mini brushes best used for different products such as the paint, boss, clear coats, gator hide, etc.? Or are different brushes just chosen for different kinds and sizes of pieces being painted? I can’t try them all and am wondering where to start for just priming, painting and finishing pieces. However, maybe others are wondering about waxes and special finishes.
Hi Kathy, you can use any size brush with any of our products! Many painters enjoy using the mini brush since its a nice size to hold in your hand, while others opt for the flat medium or large to cover a bigger area of a piece. It all just depends on personal preference. If you’re unsure which brush to try out first, we recommend the mini angle brush. Its perfect for all steps of your project, including waxes, glazes, etc. Happy painting! 🙂
Can Gator Hyde be applied to a piece of furniture that has already been waxed?
Hi Barbara, yes you can apply Gator Hide after Best Dang Wax. Happy painting! 🙂
Hi – I painted my buffet in a Dixie color that I’m not thrilled with. Can I paint over it with another Dixie color? Thanks.
Hi Nicki, we’re so glad you’re painting with Dixie Belle Paint! Yes you can definitely paint right over the first color to get your desired look. We recommend doing two coats. Easy peasy! Happy painting! 🙂
I started painting my kitchen cabinets. However everything I’ve done is leaving brush lines. Is there anything I can do to remedy this? Will adding wax help or do I need to lightly sand once dry then add a clear coat. Thanks
Hi Heather, we recommend lightly sanding and adding another coat of paint with a damp brush. A damp brush can make all the difference! After that you can add Clear Coat and you’re all set. Hope this helps. Happy painting! 🙂
Is there a certain temperature range that’s best for storing your paints? I just bought $650 worth of Dixie Belle products and I don’t want to ruin them by leaving them in the garage if it gets too cold or too hot. I live one the MS Gulf Coast, but it does get rather cold here, and of course, exceptionally hot.
Thanks in advance!
Hi April, we’re so excited for you to start using your Dixie Belle Paint products! We recommend storing them in a temperature range of 50°F – 90°F. If your paint does feel too thick after being in the garage, you can always add a bit more water to it since it is water-based. Hope this helps! Happy painting! 🙂
This may sound silly, but is there a method you recommend for actually pouring paint into a container? When I want to blend my paints to create a new color, I always end up making a mess out of my original containers and wasting a lot of paint. Do you use spoons or funnels? What do you think works best to reduce paint waste?
Not silly at all! Some people use spoons or even syringes for pouring. You could also try getting little pour spouts that fit on the top of a can or jar. Hope this helps!
Hello! I recently found my paints and supplies after moving. Some of my paints were thickened and some were hard and dry. I added water to the thick ones and they seem to be improving. What can I do for the hardened ones? I added water but still not softened overnight.
Do you think the integrity of the paint will be less than before?
Thank you
Hey there Edy,
Unfortunately, the hard ones may be a lost cause..
So sorry for that!
Can I paint with Dixie Belle in my garage while it is raining outside?? I live in SW Florida
Hi Colleen,
You can paint in the garage while it is raining however the humidity will prolong the drying process of the paint.
I am a newby and just bought my first 3 Dixie Belle paints and 2 brushes. How do I clean my brushes after using paints, sealers etc?
Hi Sherry! First, start by running hot water over your brush until the water runs mostly clear. Then, use Scrubby Soap to help remove any paint residue. Rinse and allow them to dry. Here is a link to Scrubby Soap! https://dixiebellepaint.com/scrubby-soap/ Happy painting!
Hello. Just found your channel on YouTube. I paint with Acrylic paints which are water based. Can I use Gator Hide to seal my Acrylic pours and regular paintings?
Hi Anna! Happy to hear you are enjoying our YouTube channel! We have not tested our products with other brands of paint, but you can test it out if you’d like ?
Can I use Dixie Belle Paint over my latex painted banister?
Hi Debra! Is the latex paint chipping in any way? If it is, we’d recommend sanding first. If it’s not chipping, you should be able to paint right over it. ?
Hi I am new to Dixie Belle and so excited. I just cleaned my first piece and I am ready to apply slick stick. Was curious to know if you apply that with water as well. Thank you
Hi Sherry! Awww how exciting! Slick Stick is not applied with water. Happy painting! ?
I am looking at trying your silk paint in white.
I want to blend some black in the crevices and out approx 1/2 to 1 inch
Would you recommend black wax or just using paint
Hi Gloria! We’d recommend Black Best Dang Wax. Remember to apply with a light hand and to wipe it back. ?
What do you recommend as a top coat for bedroom furniture painted in Caviar? Thank you!
Hi Connie! If the furniture will get lots of use, we’d recommend Gator Hide. If not, Clear Coat in your desired finish should do nicely! ?
I have an almost full jar of Dixie Belle Silk and would like to tint it a different colour. Can I use any acrylic water based paint to add to it? I have the Sea spray white and would like to tint it a soft aqua.
Hi Ricki! We recommend only mixing Silk Paint with colors within the Silk Paint line. ?
After I finish painting a piece how long do I have to wait to put Dixie Belle Clear Coat over it? And then after coating with Clear Coat how long before this piece can be used? Thank you.
Hi Tammy! You will want to allow your Dixie Belle Paint to dry completely. We’d suggest letting it dry overnight. The dry time for Clear Coat is 30 minutes and the cure time is 21-30 days. ?
I just painted a project with Dixie Belle paint. I want to dark wax the piece . Do I need to use a topcoat first? Also after I wax it do I need to topcoat it too? Thanks
Hi Cindi! After allowing your paint to fully dry, you can apply Best Dang Wax. Apply lightly and wipe it back. You do not need to topcoat it, but you can if you’d like. Be sure that the wax is fully dry before applying clear coat so it doesn’t smear. ?
Can you use regular polyurethane Minwax to seal as opposed to using the clearcoat
Hi Ellen! We do not test our products with other brands. We recommend trying it on an inconspicuous spot on your piece ?