Painting furniture can be a bit of an addiction. I love giving outdated pieces a brand new look with paint. But, finding a great paint that stands the test of time can be challenging. I've recently experimented with Heirloom Traditions (HTP) All in One Paint and want to share my honest opinion.
What is Heirloom Traditions All In One Paint? HTP is a chalk type paint that requires no sanding, stripping, sealing, or priming. A built in exterior grade top coat allows for interior and exterior painting projects. Per the Heirloom Traditions website, the paint can be used on most surfaces.
Get more tips on painting and furniture makeovers here.
The paint is water based, low VOC, and non toxic. The HTP website states that it can be used on the following surfaces with success: wood, laminate/formica, leather/vinyl, smooth fabrics, brick, ceramic, stone, glass, plastic, metal, fiberglass and more.
Sound too good to be true? Let me just say, I really do like it and would definitely recommend it. I'll discuss my experiences and share pictures and opinions from the painting projects I've completed over the past year using HTP.
Jump to:
- More Information about Heirloom Traditions Paint
- How to Use HTP All-In-One Paint
- What colors does heirloom traditions paint come in?
- How to Apply Heirloom Traditions Paint
- Can You Spray Heirloom Traditions Paint
- Can You Distress Heirloom Traditions Paint
- How Does Heirloom Traditions Paint Hold Up
- How Durable is Heirloom Traditions Paint
- How Much Heirloom Traditions Paint Do I Need?
- What Sheen Is HTP
- How to Use Heirloom Traditions All-In-One Paint
Then, you can decide for yourself.
More Information about Heirloom Traditions Paint
Paula Blankenship, from Tennessee, founded Heirloom Traditions Paint in 2013. HTP has a physical store in Taylorsville, Kentucky. But, the online store is found at allinonepaint.com.
On the website, you are able to view and/or purchase the All-in-One paint colors and see any new products they may have.
Their website is also where you can request a free sample to trial the paint for yourself! You do have to pay the cost of shipping on your free sample.
Amazon is also an easy way to purchase this paint. According to findthisbest.com, Amazon customers rate Heirloom Traditions Paint an average of 4.69 stars. This indicates overall positive reviews.
Related: How to Paint Furniture Black
How to Use HTP All-In-One Paint
As mentioned, the HTP line indicates it requires no primer or top coat (no waxing or polycrylic/polyurethane). This can be a huge time saver when painting furniture.
It can be used on nearly any surface. The HTP Facebook page as well as the website has a number of video tutorials for use.
Personally, I would have liked a printed version of the step-by-step directions for use. Perhaps there is one out there, but I couldn't find it.
After watching the videos, it appears you apply it very much the same way you would any traditional paint. EXCEPT, after brushing it on, you definitely need to stipple with their True Applicator or a foam roller to reduce the appearance of brush strokes.
More on this in a minute!
My biggest advice with this paint is to watch their tutorial videos prior to use. It's not hard, but you also don't want to waste your time or any paint product by making mistakes that can be avoided.
Steps I've used when painting with Heirloom Traditions Paint:
1. Prep surface by cleaning thoroughly. They recommend degreasing and deglossing with their product, Surface Prep.
Other options for degreasing prior to painting that I read suggested include TSP, Klean Strip Easy Liquid Sander Deglosser, Simply Green, and Krud Kutter.
If I'm honest, I haven't spent as much time with the degreasing step as I probably should. They indicate it is important for good adherence, so you should make sure you do it.
It really doesn't take very long to clean a piece before painting.
2. Apply first coat. Tutorial suggest this "ugly coat" should be applied fairly heavy. This is the bonding coat that will adhere to the surface you are painting, even if it is a slick surface.
After applying to a section, stipple with their True Applicator is recommended for a finish that is free of brush strokes.
Stippling is essentially pouncing the True Applicator sponge to reduce brush strokes.
I also read on their Facebook page that using a foam roller with light pressure would accomplish this.
I had a foam roller, so that is what I used and it worked great. Even with light rolling, it did produce small bubbles.
But, this went away after it dried.
This paint does dry fast, so working in smaller sections seemed helpful to me.
3. Apply second coat after allowing proper dry time. Dry time will vary depending on humidity, temperature, whether you are painting indoors or outdoors, etc.
I waited approximately 1-2 hours between coats on my various projects and that appeared to be adequately dried.
For second coat, follow the same process of brushing on a fairly thick coat, then stipple using the True Applicator or an open cell foam roller for reducing brush strokes.
NO TOP COAT! Yippee!
4. Allow 24-48 hours to dry prior to daily use. At that time, it is safe to put the hardware back on your furniture and begin light daily use.
One of the tutorial videos suggested a cure time of 30 days prior to heavy use, including wiping, scrubbing, etc.
RELATED: Painted Furniture Before and After Makeovers
What colors does heirloom traditions paint come in?
Heirloom Traditions All-In-One Paint comes in the following colors:
- Cashmere (true white)
- Almond (off white with tan undertone, limited quantity available)
- Linen (creamy off-white)
- Bone (off white)
- Colosseum (gray white)
- Manor House (creamy off white, slightly more yellow than linen)
- Spruce (gray green with slight blue undertone) Winter Collection
- Irish Garden (blue green)
- French Toile (warm blue)
- Wedgewood (blue gray)
- Polo (dark navy)
- Weathervane (charcoal)
- Crete (olive green)
- Trinity (green)
- Amalfi (blue aqua)
- Capri (green teal)
- Mediterranean (blue teal)
- Naples (sunny yellow)
- Oyster (taupe)
- Cappuccino (tan)
- Truffle (warm dark brown)
- London (green gray)
- Cathedral (steel gray, charcoal)
- Cobblestone (gray)
- Stonehenge (mid-tone greige)
- Abbey (warm gray)
- Corinthian (dark greige)
- Iron Gate (black)
- Regal (burgundy red)
- Monarchy (primary red)
- Tea Rose (blush pink)
- Ibiza (eggplant purple)
RELATED: How to Distress Chalk Painted Furniture
How to Apply Heirloom Traditions Paint
Application of HTP is simple. Use a good quality brush to apply the paint, then stipple (pounce) with their True Applicator sponge or a foam roller to remove brush marks.
Using the stipple (or foam brush) method not only reduced brush strokes, but it can also help smooth out any drips you might have missed.
I have used several of the Heirloom All in One Paint colors. Like chalk paint and most other paints, I found the white colors or very light colors required an additional coat for good coverage as compared to a dark color.
An exception would be when painting over a very light color as I did below. This table took only two coats of Cashmere and no primer.
It should also be noted, that while it indicates no primer is needed, I would still recommend using a primer when painting with white paint the majority of time.
Specifically when painting over old, dark woods or when concerned that tannins might bleed through to the surface.
Can You Spray Heirloom Traditions Paint
While I have not attempted to use a sprayer with HTP, many in the Heirloom Traditions Paint FaceBook group have indicated they have sprayed this paint with good success.
The majority of the posts in the group indicate some water was added to the sprayer.
Related: Best Paint Sprayer for Home Use
Can You Distress Heirloom Traditions Paint
You can certainly distress HTP if you prefer a rustic, farmhouse look.
I'm finding chippy paint is not as popular as it was a few years ago, but there are definitely instances in which the distressed look is the perfect finish for a particular piece of furniture.
To distress painted furniture, use sandpaper on the edges and corners to make it appear well-used.
How Does Heirloom Traditions Paint Hold Up
The big question is how well does Heirloom Traditions Paint hold up after time and daily use?
My verdict is this is really great paint! These are all the projects in which I've used HTP:
- kitchen table-I had to update the color of my kitchen table from creamy off-white to a more true white when I had our kitchen cabinets painted so it wouldn't clash. I used Cashmere.
- outdoor pots - in Iron Gate
- outdoor patio cushions (yes, I painted outdoor fabric!) - in Cobblestone
- tv trays - Iron Gate used on the bases
- on our outdoor fire pit and various patio furniture - using Iron Gate
- an old cabinet - using a mixture of London and mostly Crete
How Durable is Heirloom Traditions Paint
I have always waited ~24-48 hours prior to resuming general daily use with the pieces of furniture I've painted with HTP. I've also really tried to baby most things for a full 30 days to allow the paint to cure.
This is no different than what I would do with other paint with the curing process. Except this paint is easier to use with fewer overall steps.
When following the instructions for proper prep, the actual painting process, as well as allowing adequate dry/cure time, I have had very good success with Heirloom Traditions All In One Paint.
The only chips I've noticed are on the outdoor pot below and a small spot on my kitchen chair.
I can say that neither of these were adequately prepped prior to painting. With the pot, I barely even wiped it down prior to painting it! I was being lazy, and it was a price I was willing to pay. Sometimes good enough is good enough.
All things considered, it's held up very well.
How Much Heirloom Traditions Paint Do I Need?
Per the website, if you are painting furniture:
- 8 ounce container will cover a coffee table
- 16 ounces will paint a dresser
- 32 ounces will paint a table and four chairs
What Sheen Is HTP
The website indicates the All-In-One Paint is a low luster matte sheen, smooth finish. In my opinion, after fully curing, it appears to have a sheen somewhere between matte and satin.
Crete is such a beautiful green color! I added a touch of London which I think softened the color to just what I wanted. I've been searching for something else I can paint with this color. I really love it.
For the below fire pit, I used Iron Gate. I took extra care to properly clean the tiles on this fire pit prior to painting and it is holding up with no chipping noted.
I had previously given it a makeover with spray paint and it had held up really well under our covered deck. BUT, when we were having our pool built, the fire pit was exposed to a lot of rain and the spray paint started chipping pretty badly.
HTP to the rescue! So far, the HTP has held up great on the fire pit.
Should you try it?
If you love to paint furniture, I think you should seriously consider Heirloom Traditions Paint. Not having to prime (except for white paint) and avoiding the extra step of a top coat is a real time saver.
Try one of their free samples and join the Heirloom Traditions Paint Official Group on Facebook to get an even better idea and see if you like it as much as I do.
Let me know if you try it!!!
Other Paint Projects:
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- How To Remove Chalk Paint from Wood Furniture (3 Ways)
- What Is Chalk Paint for Furniture and How to Use It
- How To Seal Chalk Paint Furniture (3 Top Ways)
How to Use Heirloom Traditions All-In-One Paint
Heirloom Traditions All-In-One Paint is a chalk type paint that has a built in bonding primer as well as a top coat. It can be applied to nearly any surface and can be used for interior or exterior painting projects.
Materials
- Degreaser to clean furniture
- Drop cloths
- Heirloom Traditions Paint
Tools
- Quality paint brush
- Foam brush roller
Instructions
- Thoroughly clean piece of furniture with degreaser. It is recommended to use the HTP Surface Prep, but other alternatives are TSP, Krud Kutter, Simple Green.
- Apply 1st coat of paint. Use a brush to apply a fairly heavy coat of paint. Work in small sections. After applying paint with brush, go back over section using the stipple method or a foam roller. The stipple is used to reduce appearance of brush strokes and to ensure a smooth finish.
- Allow dry time of 1-2 hours prior to applying next coat. Some variation in dry time may be noted depending on humidity, temperature, etc.
- Apply 2nd coat using same process as first coat. For darker colors, two coats should be sufficient. For whites or very light colors, more coats will likely be required.
- Wait 24-48 hours to allow dry time then reattach hardware and begin gentle daily use. Allow 30 days cure time for heavy use such as scrubbing surface.
Notes
No primer or top coat is needed!
The exception to this would be if using a white or light paint color, then I would suggest priming prior to painting. OR if painting over a dark stain when concern of tannins bleeding to surface is in question, then you should also prime first.
Cost of paint will vary depending on size of can purchased.
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