THIS VINTAGE TEA CART GETS A MAKEOVER WITH SILK ALL-IN-ONE MINERAL PAINT!
Today I’m sharing this sweet vintage tea cart painted with the NEW Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint from Dixie Belle! I can’t tell you how excited I am to give this new paint line a try. It has a built-in primer, topcoat, and stain-blocker!
Here’s what I started with… this adorable vintage tea cart my half-sister Marzenna gifted me. She’s getting a head start on her spring cleaning and was kind enough to think of me when clearing a few things out.
Here’s the after restyled with Silk All-In-One-Mineral Paint!
I’m loving this finish! What do you think… so much brighter and fresh-looking, right!?
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
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- Tea Cart – SALVAGED
- White Lightning Cleaner
- Paint Sprayer
- Sandpaper | Shop Towels
- Slick Stick (adhesion primer)
- Salt Water SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
- Black Sands SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
- Scarlet Paint Brush
HOW TO USE SILK ALL-IN-ONE MINERAL PAINT
I’ve been painting furniture for ten years. That equals A LOT of furniture makeovers yet this is only the third tea cart I’ve ever restyled. I love these pieces but I don’t come across them too often. That makes this makeover double the fun — a NEW paint line AND an adorable piece to try it on!
I chose to spray and brush this tea cart to test Silk in a sprayer and see and feel how it brushes on.
Here are the steps I took to get this look.
STEP 1 ~ Clean and Sand
I started by giving this tea cart a cleaning with this White Lightning Cleaner. This cleaner comes in powder form so you’re paying for the cleaner – not the water.
I like to mix a tablespoon of the crystals into industrial spray bottles filled with water and then spray the entire piece down. I rub it down with a large auto sponge and then rinse all the residue off with clean water.
It’s also recommended to give your piece a scuff sanding before applying this Mineral Paint so I scuff-sanded this piece with a 220 grit sanding pad.
STEP 2 ~ Slick Stick
This paint comes with a built-in primer but for slicker factory finishes such as laminate, glass, varnish, or plastics a light sanding along with Dixie Belle’s Slick Stick is recommended. This tea cart was borderline for me. I was thinking it would be just fine without the adhesion primer but since I will be selling this piece, I don’t mind putting in the extra step.
I’m often asked when to use a primer and my answer is always “when in doubt – USE IT!”
You can never go wrong by adding this extra step because there’s no adverse outcome even if it wasn’t needed.
STEP 3 ~ Spraying SILK Paint
I used my paint sprayer to get a flawless finish on this tea cart’s body and spindles and then used a brush to paint the inside drawer details and the wheels.
It’s NOT recommended to thin this all-in-one paint unless using a sprayer.
I did try spraying without thinning but it wasn’t spraying evenly. I decided to thin the 1 ounce to 16 ounces which are recommended if spraying and it sprayed perfectly. I would suggest testing it with your sprayer before thinning because every sprayer is different.
For this tea cart, I sprayed three coats and used about 90% of a 16-ounce jar of this Salt Water which is a gorgeous soft white. You can find these paints at your local elite retailers and ONLINE HERE!
Here’s what the tea cart looked like after the second coat.
STEP 4 ~ Brushing SILK Paint
For the final details, I brushed Black Sands on the rims of this tea cart’s wheels and painted the inside of the drawer.
When using a brush with this paint line, NO water is necessary. I used the NEW Scarlett Brush on the drawer and I totally fell in love with it. I’m guessing I’m not the only one because Dixie Belle sold out of them really fast. When they’re back in stock I’m going to pick myself a few so I have them on hand.
The key to brushing Silk Mineral Paint is to brush it on (again no thinning or water required!) and leave it alone because it’s self-leveling. I found the workability time was longer than some other mineral paints I’ve tried (around 5 minutes or so if I were to guess) but the less you brush at it the smoother the finish.
If you have an ooops, it’s easy to wipe off with water. It was also really easy to clean out my brushes with water as well.
To finish off this tea cart, no top coat required! It has a gorgeous subtle sheen. I would say between a satin and a flat. It’s smooth to the touch and once it’s cured within 21-30 days, it will be easy to clean water mildew, and grease resistant with a super durable finish. It’s also UV resistant so this will be the perfect paint for my outdoor projects once all this snow melts!
I don’t claim to be an expert on this new paint since it was my first time using it but here are my takeaways and some tips I learned on this project.
- A good cleaning and scuff sand are necessary for adhesion. If in doubt, use this Slick Stick.
- For best results whether spraying or brushing apply at least 2 coats.
- No water is required when brushing but I did thin with a tiny bit of water when using my sprayer.
- Use a dry synthetic brush and apply in long even strokes. It self levels so the less you fuss with it the better.
- No primer or topcoat required.
- Cures within 21-30 days depending on the temp/humidity.
- Silk reminds me of an enamel paint — very durable and easy to wipe and keep clean.
Here’s the finished look.
I’m impressed and it’s always fun trying new paints. I can’t wait to try it on another project!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS SALVAGED TEA CART MAKEOVER… OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THIS NEW SILK PAINT LINE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
I’ll be back on Thursday with my Furniture Fixer Upper friends and a brand new look for this empire dresser. Hope to see you then!
Happy furniture painting my friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS::
Linen Matched Tea Cart
Adding Graphics | Vintage TeaCart Makeover
Pottery Barn Knock-Off Buffet Makeover
Stop Bleed Through When Painting
Slick Stick | How to Make ANY Surface Paintable
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Denise,
The Tea Cart is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love your blog post. Your projects are so beautiful when you finish . I need to buy the Slick Stick to use on a buffet that I believe would need to be primed. Thanks so much for sharing your projects with us.
jean
Thanks so much, Jean! And have fun with your buffet. I’d love to hear how it all turns out for you. 🙂
I bought a tea cart for $20.00 yesterday just like this. Can’t wait to paint it. I’m not sure I can resale it for $299.
Hi Lola! Nice… $20 is a steal of a deal and these are so fun to work on!
This is charming. Aren’t tea carts darling? They make a great space for staging treasures and “fluffy” things. This new paint sounds amazing and not so many steps. I think we’re going to love it. This piece is darling and it won’t last long. Someone will nab it quickly. I’m a little behind in my blogging and I’m just now seeing what you’ve been up to. It’s always fun to see what’s out there and all the new merch coming out.
They are so darling and I think you’re going to love Silk All In One Mineral Paint!😊💙
What a beautiful piece and the staging is awesome! The New SILK All-In-One Mineral paint is flying off the shelves. People love it and the durability is fantastic! Thank you so showcasing our newest line of paint!
Thank YOU Teri… for everything and all you do! Loved working with this paint and can’t wait to try ALL the colors!😃
You mentioned the new silk paint can be applied by brush or sprayer, however, I was wondering if it could be applied with a roller – especially a small, foam style roller?
It sure can! 🙂
What a great informative post – that paint sounds awesome. You did a remarkable job!
Your transformation is incredible – such a pretty styling for spring right around the corner.
Aw, thanks, Michele! And spring can’t come soon enough. I’m so done with winter and all this cold and snow! 😉
What a little paint can do!!! Charming little cart. Beautiful job, love the black contrast!!
Amazing what a little paint can do, right?..lol Thanks so much Gayle! xo
This is great info on a new product. Can you suggest a supplier for the antique metal wheels?
Thanks Cheryl! Etsy, Lee Valley, Ebay, Craigslist/Kijiji or you can find reproduction replicas on here on Amazon that are pretty impressive!
This tea cart is stunning Denise! ~ Nicki
Thank you Nicki! XOXO
II like this new SILK paint! And that cart is adorable ❤️ Beautiful transformation as always. xo 🙂
Me too and thanks, my friend! Hugs x
The cart was a beauty to begin with but now it’s stunning with the silk paint! Is silk paint more similar to a mineral paint than a chalk Paint? I remember another tea cart you refinished with graphics-so pretty! Can you tell me how to proceed on a small mahogany drop leaf table? I want to paint the legs Fusion Sterling and use Fusion stain and finishing oil in driftwood on top. Do you recommend Slick Stick or shellac primer underneath a stain? Thanks Denise- always learning so much from your blogs!
Thank you Peggi! Yes, Silk is a mineral paint – not chalk paint. Once I use it on a few more pieces and get familiar with it, I’ll do a comparison post because I think this will be a commonly asked question. For your Mahogany drop leaf, a primer isn’t required under stain (just sanding and then stain so you can show off the beautiful grain) but a primer is required when painting over mahogany. I don’t recommend Slick Stick because that will NOT stop bleed through – its not a stain blocker but rather an adhesion primer. For a stain blocker I would recommend Dixie Belle’s BOSS or a Fusion equivalent (you said you’re using Fusion so I’m not familiar with what stain blockers they have in their line) or BIN Shellac Based Primer. Love those drop tables Peggi. Have fun. 🙂
Love the cart great job.
Thanks Diane! 🙂
Very pretty makeover, Denise. You had me at no topcoat! One less step is always great for the ROI when selling pieces. On my must-try list now.
Exactly! If you give it a try I’d love to hear your thoughts, Marie. Its finish is kind of like an enamel. If it’s as durable, that will be amazing!
Denise the tea cart is absolutely beautiful…I am going to try the silk paint on a couple of my thrift store items. I will let you know how they turn out.
Love your blog and all that you do. Your instructions are clear with each step you provide. I look forward to your blog weekly..
Thank you for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful day.
Cathy
Thanks so much Cathy! And I’d LOVE to hear how your thrift items turn out with this paint!… And if you have any other tips when using Silk feel free to share. 🙂
Beautiful color and finish. Looking forward to trying this new product. ~~ Susie from Chelsea Project
Thanks my friend! If/when you give it a try I can’t wait to see what you do. Your projects are always gorgeous. XOXO
Beautiful job. I love the cart. Thank you for sharing this new SILK paint. Question: would you recommend it for kitchen cabinets?
Thank you and YES! My friend Amy from AJ Designs recently painted her cabinets with Silk and they turned out amazing. She has a full video tutorial you can check out here. Hope this helps. 🙂
Wow, this tea cart is stunning! It looks brand new. You did a wonderful job. 😍
Thanks so much, Maryellen! x
Love that nifty tea cart. The suspended tray works great n looks unique underneath.. Great work Denise!
Where do you sell your items? I am curious as to how much you will be asking for this piece?
Thx….Dawn
Thanks Dawn! I love the removable tray as well – super handy! I sell my items on Kijiji and FB Marketplace. Sometimes they don’t make it to the listing tho as I get messaged on the #siblog. This tea cart will be listed for $299
I have to admit, when I saw the “before” picture of the tea cart, I thought “Oh, no, please just polish it, it is lovely as is.”
Then I scrolled to the after photo- absolutely beautiful! The black trim on the wheels made it perfect.
You really have the rare ability to see how something can be completely transformed and go on to have a whole new life, rather than end up in the trash.
Thanks YOU Sue! And I agree. It was beautiful as is. I’m always happy when these “old-girls” get a new lease on life and get displayed and used again. 🙂
This little cart is absolutely gorgeous now! I LOVE the new Silk line…it goes on so smooth! XOXO
It does and it feels really nice to work with. Thanks, Christy! XOXO
What a transformation, doesn’t look like the same piece! Love it!
Thanks Carolyn! 🙂
The cart looks great!!
I used the Conch silk paint and loved it also. Just a question about the sprayer. Does yours hook up to an air compressor? And if so what brand is it? Thanks so much your creativity inspires me
Thanks Linda! Yes, I’ve been using this Husky Spray Gun since 2013 and it still works amazing and yes, it does use a compressor. 🙂
Hi Denise. What an excellent gift your sister gave you. I’ve always been obsessed with tea carts. This is as cute as they get in the clean white you chose to paint it. Absolutely lovely. I look forward to trying silk paint on a future project.
Yes, excellent gift! I don’t come across many tea carts and they are such fun to work on. If you try the paint, I’d love to hear your thoughts and see what you do Monique! XOXO