How to Paint a Piano Like a Wild Woman

Never paint a piano yellow, “they” would probably say. Unless you are a wild woman. Painting a piano yellow means living life on the edge. It is dangerous. Rebellious. Probably something we shouldn’t talk about in public. Certainly not something we should admit to doing lest “they” don’t like it. –The Inspired Room

Well, there you have it, folks.

I painted my piano,

like a wild woman.

Only I painted it blue, not yellow. But, I seriously considered yellow after reading this post by the Inspired Room! I am probably the farthest thing from a “wild woman” but there is a part of me deep within that longs to be wild. I’m a rule follower that every once in a while likes to color outside the lines (literally).

In all fairness, it was a free piano we found on Craigslist. Here is a picture of the before. Not pretty.

But.

I did paint a piano. Which I’m pretty sure is a capital offense to a lot of people.

I’ve already faced my share of criticism for even thinking of painting a piano. I mean, the indecency of it all!! So, if you’re like me and are ready to throw all care to the wind and laugh in the face of nay sayers, here is how you do it.

I started by lightly sanding down the surface and then wiping it clean with a damp cloth. If you’re painting with a chalk paint, this step is NOT necessary. But I felt like it was a nice added step.

I did a lot of research on other blogs and read reviews of products found online. I researched Annie Sloan paint and packaged “chalk paint” mixtures that all seemed way over priced. Over and over again I read that the main thing these over-priced products had in common was Plaster of Paris.

                            

I bought a box of Plaster of Paris from the Home Depot for under $10, a can of Minwax Finishing Wax and a can of Behr paint. I don’t think it makes much of a difference what type of paint you use, but I went all out and got the Behr Premium paint and primer in one in a satin finish. Color: Harbor

Step one: Get a bucket and mark off the side for easy measuring. I went a little too crazy with my marks – you really only need 4 lines spaced evenly.
Step two: Pour Plaster of Paris into the bucket until it reaches the first line. Slowly add warm water (about a Tablespoon at a time) until the mixture is smooth and no longer gritty. I likened this step to mixing corn starch in cold water before adding it to pan of bubbling stew. You want it nice and smooth before adding the paint. Add just enough water so your mixture is smooth and a pudding like consistency. You don’t want it too watery. You should now be just above the first line, but not to the second.
Step three: Add paint in your desired color up to the fourth line and stir well.
Step four: Paint!
Step five: After paint has dried, you could distress your piece with fine sand paper – or skip this step.
Step six: Seal with a coat of Minwax Finishing Wax.

                            

I read that you should continue to mix the paint throughout your painting time, or risk it hardening on you. I didn’t find this to be an issue, but when you do go to paint, it does in fact dry very fast! I didn’t tape anything off or cover the keys… I was very careful :) I used a regular brush and roller and the paint went on nice and smooth. I mixed up way more paint then I needed to. It covered so well, I had enough left over to paint a second piano! I would say this project took less than a quarter of the can of paint.

The painting went surprisingly smooth and fast. I allowed it to dry over night and then the next day, applied the wax. I used a dry cloth and buffed it on. Pretty simple.

Oh, and I even painted that ugly yellow, vinyl seat cushion!

The beauty of chalk paint, is that it adheres so well. Now that I’ve made it, I see why – the plaster allows it to harden extra strong! I have read, you’re supposed to be able to paint over anything with this stuff, no surface prep, sanding or priming required. Even kitchen cabinets can be painted without having to be striped. What have you painted with chalk paint? The possibilities are endless!

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Supply List:

• Plaster of Paris
• Sanding Block
• Paint in Your Desired Color (I used Behr in Harbor)
• Finishing Wax
• Bucket
• Paint Brush