How to Paint Furniture Outside with Chalk Mineral Paint
- Tracey Bellion
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
Let’s talk about something we don’t talk about enough: painting furniture outside — and all the unexpected stuff that can happen when you do it with Chalk Mineral Paint.
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How to Paint Furniture OUTSIDE with Chalk Mineral Paint
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I LOVE this chalk mineral paint. It’s smooth, dreamy, full of rich pigment—and it dries fast. Which is usually a good thing… but outside? That fast dry time can get a little bossy.
So today, I’m sharing the things I wish I had known when I first took my brush and a can of Chalk Mineral Paint out into the sunshine. If you’re painting outdoors (because the garage is full, the weather is nice, or your house is just too busy), here are some things that will help you get better results—and save your sanity.
☀️ 1. Full Sun is Not Your Friend
It might feel good on your skin, but it’s no good for your paint.
Chalk Mineral Paint starts drying the second it leaves your brush when you’re in the direct sun. This makes it thick, hard to move, and leaves those dreaded drag marks that are nearly impossible to smooth out.
Paint in the shade if you can — under a tree, a patio cover, or even just the shady side of the house. You’ll have way more control, and your finish will thank you.
💧 2. Keep Your Paint Moving—with Water!
Even in the shade, heat will mess with your paint. You’ll notice a skin forming in your container (whether it’s a jar, a bowl, or your makeshift plastic plate), and your brush will feel like it’s dragging instead of gliding.
The Fix?
Keep a mister bottle nearby
Lightly mist your brush
Mist the paint in your container
And yes, even mist the furniture surface as you go
I've been using this continuous fine mist spray bottle for years and years and it's a game changer with flawless application of my color mineral paints!
This keeps the paint from drying too fast and lets you work more smoothly. It’s like giving your paint a little extra time to show off.
🌫 3. Humidity Will Gum Things Up
Now let’s talk about those sticky, rainy, muggy days. You know the ones where the air feels like soup? Chalk Mineral Paint does not love those days.
Even if you’re in a covered spot—like a garage with the doors open—high humidity can make your paint gummy and slow to dry. It dries unevenly and just doesn’t behave like it normally would.
How to deal with the humidity? Grab a blow dryer or heat gun. A little warm air with movement will help dry things more evenly and bring your paint back in line.
🐜 4. Watch the Sky… and the Air
If you’re painting outside, expect visitors. Dust, bugs, pollen, leaves—if it can float or fall, it will. And it will land in your paint.
Then you’re stuck picking it out with tweezers and possibly wrecking your smooth finish. Ask me how I know. 😅
Paint under a covered area when you can. It cuts down on surprises and saves you from unwanted texture.
🪑 5. If You’re New — Paint Inside
This one’s big. If you’re just getting started with Chalk Mineral Paint, do yourself a favor and paint indoors at first.
It doesn’t have to be fancy — just a tarp on the floor, a small table, a cleared-off kitchen corner. You want to get to know your paint without having to fight sun, wind, bugs, or humidity. Set yourself up to win.
Trust me—when you’re learning, it’s not you, it’s probably your environment. A lot of new painters get discouraged because their paint behaves weird… but it’s just reacting to the elements.
Check out some of my other "How To" Blogs:
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