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Last month I tested out spray chalk paint and blogged about my experience with it here. Much to my surprise, a lot of people liked that post (yay!), and wanted to know all about the product. Because of that, I figured that people might also want to know about spray wax and spray topcoat that can be used for finishing projects painted with spray chalk paint or hand painted with chalk paint. So once again, I got to work testing it out and am sharing all the details on spray wax finishing for chalky finish paint projects. 
For those of you who may not be overly familiar with chalky finish paint, wax is a commonly used sealant or topcoat on pieces that have been painted with chalky finish paint. It’s popular because it seeps into the paint to form a protective finish and produces a really beautiful and subtle sheen on the surface.
Wax typically comes in a tub (like this – my usual brand of wax) and is applied with a special wax brush (like this), or sometimes a lint-free rag (though that usually results in an uneven application). It dries to a haze and then must be buffed to get a beautiful shine.
To me, wax didn’t seem like something that can be sprayed. Because of that, I first decided to test out the Krylon Spray Wax on a dud of a project (a painted thrift store tray), in case it wasn’t going to work. Most recently, I tested out the Rustoleum Chalked Protective Topcoat on a stool I painted with Rustoleum Chalked Spray Paint. Although it is not a true wax product, it is a spray topcoat suitable for chalk painted projects. Here are my thoughts on both of these products! 
Odor
The wax I usually use STINKS. I’m talking “plug your nose because it smells like you doused your house in gasoline” stinks. And that odor sticks around for a couple of days. (Some other brands of wax like this have virtually no odor.)
Conversely, the Krylon spray wax did not smell nearly as bad. While it DID have an odor, the smell dissipated after a couple of hours as opposed to a couple of days.
The Rustoleum Chalked Protective Topcoat had no real odor.
The bottom line is you will still need a well-ventilated area if you’re going to use spray wax or spray topcoat.
Application
Spray wax and spray protective topcoat could not be easier to apply. It comes out of the can so smoothly and evenly. A bonus of application of spray wax is that you do not need to purchase another supply – the wax brush.
There is definitely some overspray, however, so surrounding areas should be covered. That’s not really an issue with regular wax. If you spray paint regularly, you may want to purchase this awesome pop up spray shelter, which protects your projects from debris flying onto them. I love mine!
Time
I don’t think that applying wax by brush takes an extraordinarily long amount of time. That being said, spray wax or spray topcoat may take slightly less time to apply. (But any time saved may be negated during the buffing process (if applicable – see below.)
Sheen
Like regular wax, spray wax does have a slight sheen. To me it didn’t seem as rich and velvety as the sheen that’s produced by brush-on wax, but it does give a nice look that’s not achieved with poly products.
I tried to capture the sheen achieved with the Krylon spray wax in this photo. You can kind of see it in the top right corner, but it’s not the best photo. 
The Rustoleum Chalked Topcoat in matte gave a beautiful finish with a hint of sheen – not too dull and not too shiny.
Buffing
All waxes, once dried to a haze, must be buffed to produce a sheen. To me it seemed that buffing spray wax was much more difficult than regular wax. The finish felt stickier than regular wax (once dried), and it took a lot more buffing to remove the excess wax. This could be a huge pain on a larger piece that’s been sprayed. I really did not like this aspect of the spray wax.
Conversely, with the Rustoleum Chalked Topcoat, no buffing was required. The finish dried nice to the touch with no stickiness, and the sheen was beautiful.
Discoloration
Although the Krylon spray wax appeared yellow on parts of the white paint to which I’d applied it, once buffed there was no visible discoloration of the finish. In this photo you can sort of see the yellow I’m talking about (prior to buffing). My experience with regular wax is the same.
I tested the Rustoleum Spray Protective Topcoat on a blue piece and did not notice any discoloration.
Spray Wax Durability
Wax is never the best finishing choice for pieces that will be getting a lot of use – like a table top. With that being said, spray wax seems to be as durable as regular wax. I tried scratching some of the sealed finish off, and it withstood my attempts.
And similarly, the Rustoleum Chalked Topcoat also seems to be quite durable, though I haven’t used it on a heavy-use piece.
The Bottom Line
So here’s where I ultimately come out on these products:
If you’re not regularly using chalky finish paint and don’t want to invest in a wax brush, spray wax or spray protective topcoat is probably perfect for you. You will be able to get several projects sealed with one can (depending on the size of the projects, of course), and likely be happy with the finished product.
If you’re a chalky finish paint fanatic like me, you’re probably better off using your regular wax. Since you already have the wax brush and maybe even a drill buffer, the cost will be less to continue using your wax and you will get the gorgeous finish you’re accustomed to – even if you’ve painted the piece with the Rustoleum Chalked Paint or the Krylon Chalky Finish Spray Paint.
Have you tried Krylon’s Spray Wax Coating or Rustoleum’s Chalked Protective Topcoat? What do you think of it? Let me know – I love to hear from you!
Bre
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Great review, Bre! I never would have guessed this stuff worked at all, but it sounds like it could be a good option for some projects or for people who have trouble applying wax the traditional way. I know a few people who have trouble applying wax with a brush because of arthritis or other medical conditions and this could be a game changer for them.
Hi, I just finished painting a dining room table with chalky paint (my first attempt using it) I have not waxed it yet, and am wondering if I have made a mistake painting the table with chalk paint, as the finish seems like it will not clean up well. Is it the wax that makes it more cleanable, or have I made a mistake using chalk paint on a piece that will get so much use? Any advice you have on how I should proceed would be greatly appreciated. I found you above article very helpful, but see now that… Read more »
i chalk painted my hutch and had no clue I was suppose to buff it after I waxed it. Now it’s already in my dining room. Is it a bad thing that I didn’t buff it out?
Oooooh man. Hahahaa im still learning. Thank you!
Valerie
Will the spray wax work on material?
I love the unbiased review! I use this product regularly for my mason jars and glass that is painted with chalky or acrylic paint. It can be absolutely wonderful or the bad ending to a good jar! Small wood projects are great too, but I find that it soaks up and dries too quickly in bigger wood pieces and the buffing can be grueling and even futile when too dry! On jars, wipe off lightly after spraying entire jar and leave for 10-30 mins in warm area. Cold is bad for wax! Perfect drying time means a minute or so… Read more »
I love chalky finish paint and wax. I have purchased the spray on both and am planning to use it on a metal office type storage piece. It has about 4 drawers. Do you think the brush on wax would be better? I thought it would be perfect for the metal. I am hoping I was right. I loved your review!
This sounds like a fantastic option for small things! I have been leery of trying the spray chalk paint. I think I might have to give both a try. Thanks for the review!
Your ideas are great.
Love your articles, well written and informative. When you are talking about using wax , are you meaning paste wax that comes in a can? I use it often, my son introduced me to it from his high school woodworking teacher. I am not familiar with what kind of brush you use…but it sounds much better than a cloth!!!!! I am also wondering about chalk paint….mainly why you use it often. What is the difference between finishes of regular spray paint or acrilyic …..thanks so much !!
I LOVE this spray wax and use it almost exclusively(the dark wax too) for all of my projects!
Thanks so much for this post! I have some vintage owl wall art my mother gave me that I want to refinish in probably an off white. There are many little crevices. The spray chalk paint and wax seem like the perfect products to use for this project.
Thanks for the review. Just a little heads up for you. I love the Annie Sloane wax. It’s a bit more expensive, but there is little to no odor and a little goes a long way! Give it a try!
Hello your work is beautiful. My question is chaulk paint really necessary ? Couldn’t you just use flat paint to achieve the same look and it’s less expensive?
I have never heard of any of this before! I accidently came across your blog on Pinterest. I read both your chalky paint and wax review. Chalky paint is just descibing how it appears, it is not the same as that chalkboard paint you can write on, correct? This paint is exactly what I needed for the look I am going for on a project but had no idea it existed! Side note, do you think it would be a good idea/look good if I used white chalky paint on cheap plastic black picture frames? Thanks!
Thank you. Very helpful.
I’m working on my first chalk paint project.
I recently discovered the chalky finish spray paint. I didn’t know you had to seal it afterwards. I did notice that after it dried it rubbed off onto my fingers. Is that common? Do you have to deal it with the wax no matter what?
I had been debating whether to try it or not. So thank you for your time. It’s good to know if I buy it, it’s not wasted money
So glad to find your blog. I’m just starting my very first chalk paint project I’m doing a large brass chandelier and using the spray Krylon paint. Just spray-painted it in a soft gray and about to start spraying with the dark wax! Exiciting. The chalk paint went on beautifully!!
Hi, I came across this product and wondered if you know anything about it.. I am one of those people who has difficulty with holding a paintbrush and I find wax especially difficult to apply and buff. This product it says needs NO buffing! And it comes in colors! I think I would be nervous using it to age an item ( A dark wax) since it seems to me spray would be more difficult to control for that purpose. http://heirloomtraditionspaint.mybigcommerce.com/heirloom-traditions-wax-dark-umber-soft-or-spray/#PhotoSwipe1468614698839
Hi! Im very new to refinishing! I am a very crafty person but painting is not my forte. I purchased an old wooden toy box bench to refinish white for my first niece due this October! I bought a white chalk paint because I heard it required minimal prep. So I plan to use it but it never occurred to me that I would even have to seal it…. I really don’t want to mess it up but I think the simplest route will be best for me paint wise. I wonder if I could use the spray wax? It’s… Read more »
I just discovered your blog through Pinterest! I just read your review of this and chalk paint spray. Both were great! Thanks for taking the time to do them. I have an old brass trunk that was headed for the trash. I think I’m going to try it out on that and see how it works. If I mess it up it’s not a big loss but if it looks good, I’ll have a new coffee table for budget living room spruce up!
I love chalk paint but have yet to try the sprayable type. I have about 16 fabric storage cubes that I want to change the color of. (The kind that come with units like the IKEA expedition/Kallex wood,cube storage systems). The fabric on the bins is like a thin, canvas kind of material (backed with cardboard). Do you think spray chalk paint would work for this project? If so how would you recommend sealing it?
I just bought the krylon slate grey at Michaels. We used it on terra coast pots & it was really easy for my daughter to decorate with bright craft paint on top. I have older dressers of my mother in laws that are laminate wood looking. I was thinking of making the tops of each dresser & nightstand grey (perhaps that chalk spray paint?) and make my own white chalk paint w the plaster of Paris, paint & water mix on the rest of the body of the dressers. Has anyone done anything like this? I need them durable bc… Read more »
I do a lot of chalk painting and have finished with wax and polycrylic. I can’t understand why anyone would choose waxing over polycrylic. Waxing can yellow white paint, a good polycrylic won’t, waxing has to be reapplied every 6 months or so, polycrylic or polyurethane never needs to be reapplied, and the poly products are so much more durable than wax, you shouldn’t wax but should poly a table top that will be used. Poly is so easy to apply over chalk paint, you can control how even the application is, and no buffing afterwards. Plus you have a… Read more »
Hi! In the article, you mentioned wax isn’t the best finish for pieces that will get a lot of use. I’m just getting started with chalk paint and am wondering what you’d recommend to finish pieces that you’d use a lot? Thanks for your help!
Hi Bre! I found your blog on Pinterest and I must say I love it!! I bought an old planting table a few months ago that was painted a really pretty green color (there were various shades of green, it looked so cool) but I unfortunately the green compltely clashes with my “coastal cottage” apartment decor! So I spray painted it using Krylon ColorMaster Primer in the color “All Purpose Gray”. I have a satin finish top coat that I was thinking about spray painting on top, but I’m not so sure now. I’m re-purposing it into a bar cart… Read more »
Hi Bre, thanks for the great reviews. Here is my question…I bought a chandelier with glass that looks like candles. I washed 2 and noticed that the paint on the glass started peeling! Oh no! My daughter suggested I paint the glass and think that will save it, but I’m not sure what to use. The unpeeled glass pieces seem chalky and flat finish. Any suggestions?
I want to make an old fashioned sticker album where the stickers can be put on and peal off. The old school ones had a wax-like finish. If I was to spray this on cardstock (and then punch the card stock out with a 3-hole puncher and put in a poly duotang with 3 prongs) would that work to make a sticker book where the stickers can be removed, or would it be better just to glue wax paper to the card stock on both sides? Thank you!
Thank you very much for your reply! I will use the wax paper and glue it to white card stock and punch holes in it and put it in a duotang so she can add more pages and also put a zippered pencil case in it so she can store extra stickers she doesn’t want to put in the album! Thank you for your response and for saving me money! Lara