FAQ - Frequently asked questions and answers 2
How do Frenchic paints differ from other paint series? Are Frenchic paints really durable?
The award-winning Frenchic Paint® has set new standards for furniture painting and made it easier and more fun - if you previously thought that chalk paint wasn't durable or practical, now is the time to try Frenchic!
Read the most frequently asked questions with answers here to get valuable information about our series.
The new features of Frenchic Paint in a nutshell:
- Fast drying time
- Nearly odorless
- Levels out into a beautiful, smooth surface
- Especially economical
- Truly opaque
- Almost drip-free
- Includes primer
- Durable and washable surface without lacquer or waxing
- Beautiful matte finish
- Gorgeous, muted shades
Beautifully self-leveling Frenchic Paints give you an advantage and help you achieve a smooth surface more easily than other paint series.
We want to offer our customers plenty of advice, tricks, and tips for doing the work because every painting job and every painter's 'handwriting' is always unique.
Frenchic series products and accessories are award-winning, high-quality, durable, and tested.
They have passed several safety, non-toxicity, and durability tests and have won many awards and tests, so you can be sure of Frenchic quality when you use our products according to instructions.
We receive many questions from our customers, and here are some of the most common with answers:
Q: I always have a hundred and one projects going on; where can I easily check which Frenchic paint series suits my different projects and various surfaces?
A: Generally: any Frenchic series suits indoor projects, and only Al Fresco for outdoor furniture. All series are suitable for wood, MDF, and metal.
Q: Why should I choose Frenchic Paint?
Q: You choose ease, speed, and a beautiful result. You save both work time and materials when you choose the Frenchic series 'all in one' paint.
You avoid waste because Frenchic Paints are suitable for many surfaces. The Frenchic series, made with a new recipe, is a pioneer in the paint market.
Frenchic Paints have many completely new features, for which the series has also been awarded: for example, the paint surface's self-leveling and the paint's easy-to-spread composition.
For example, Al Fresco series paints are suitable for painting indoor and outdoor furniture.
Wood, metal, MDF, plastic, and various panel surfaces. The paint already includes primer and other protective agents, so no varnish or wax is needed for finishing.
Drying times are significantly shorter than usual: the drying time for a coat in the Al Fresco series is 2h.
The paints also feature a new self-leveling property, which makes the painted surface smooth and beautiful.
The paint's composition is slightly thicker and drip-free than usual, making painting easy and the paint glides effortlessly.
The paints are 100% water-based, safe to use, and almost completely odorless, certified. The result is a beautiful and durable matte finish. The shades in the Frenchic series are beautiful interior colors suitable for many interior styles. Powdery matte shades also suit traditional buildings and combine beautifully with wallpaper.
Paints also develop and new products are safer and less toxic. Why not choose the best!
Q: Can I start painting immediately after opening the paint can?
A: Please do not start painting with unmixed paint. Frenchic paints contain heavy pigment that quickly sinks to the bottom of the can, and unmixed paint can cause unwanted shade variations.
Unmixed paint also negatively affects coverage and surface durability if the beneficial protective agents in the paint are not evenly mixed into the paint. So always mix your Frenchic paint carefully.
You will notice the pigment weight at the bottom of the can. We recommend mixing the paint thoroughly, for a long time and down to the bottom both before painting and during the painting project.
Choose a wide spatula or a wide wooden stirring stick for hand mixing, or an electric whisk.
Q: Is the Top Coat durable on outdoor furniture or the surface of an exterior door?
A: Yes, both Top Coats are weather resistant.
Q: What does "jewel color" mean?
A: For example Plum Pudding, Victory Lane as well as Constance Moss, After Midnight and Steel Teal shades are made for a translucent base to give you a beautiful deep jewel color, so they require an extra coat or two.
Tip for these shades, especially if you are painting a white base - paint a dark base first, so one coat of City Slicker/Smudge and then about 3 coats of color. This way you get a stunning jewel tone easily.
Q: Can old paint be used?
A: If the paint's consistency when mixed feels, looks, and smells normal, do a test painting and if everything is normal, you can use the paint.
If the paint smells bad and does not mix evenly, we do not recommend using the paint. Frozen or frost-damaged paint is not recommended for use.
Paint spoils easily from dirty water, pollen or other debris when painting outdoors, or from renovation dust.
Paint spoilage is caused by bacteria, which can also get into the paint through dirty brushes.
Properly stored, clean paint lasts at least a couple of years even after opening.
Q: How do I make a badly smelling piece of furniture odorless?
A: Treat the washed and dry surface completely all around with the Finishing Coat according to the instructions. That's it!
Q: Is one coat of paint enough?
A: No. Frenchic Paints all require at least two coats.
Even if the first coat is covering, the second coat evens out the surface color beautifully, covers small imperfections, and positively affects the durability of the surface. This also ensures the shade repeats as intended by the manufacturer.
Sometimes you may need more coats if the color difference between the surface to be painted and the chosen shade is large. Test your chosen shade on an inconspicuous spot before a bigger job.
If the paint can instructions say two coats, apply two coats.
If the coverage instructions say that the can contains paint for six square meters, and after painting an area of this size there is still a lot of paint left, the paint layers are too thin.
Read more here about how many coats of paint are needed.
To achieve a durable finish, you need to apply more paint.
Frenchic Paints do not need to be thinned, and the self-leveling property of the paint benefits from a generous painting stroke.
Q: When can I paint the second coat of paint?
Q: Paint the second coat only after the previous coat has dried for the recommended time. The drying time per coat can be found on the paint can label and the product information page.
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Lazy Range: drying time per coat is 1 hour.
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Al Fresco: drying time per coat is 2 hours.
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Trim Paint: drying time per coat is 4 hours.
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Wall paint: drying time per coat is 2 hours.
A: I don't feel like washing the furniture, can I start painting immediately?
Q: You don't paint a dirty surface.
Frenchic Paints are water-based and repel dirt and grease. Even from furniture and surfaces that look clean, a lot of dirty water can come off when washing.
In the worst case, your careful painting work is wasted if you paint a dirty surface: The paint cannot adhere to the base because dirt and grease are in between, which can cause the paint to start peeling.
A: I didn't bother sanding, does it affect somehow?
Q: Roughening surfaces helps the paint adhere better to the surface and greatly affects durability.
Light roughening by hand, e.g. with a sanding sponge, is a quick and easy step that is always worth doing.
Think in advance about what you are painting - if the furniture or surface will be subject to heavy wear, careful roughening is definitely necessary.
Especially if you are painting a slippery, glossy, and smooth surface, always roughen the surface before painting. Read the laminate furniture painting instructions here.
A mnemonic could be: the more wear the surface will endure, the better sanding and other preparations should be done.
Frenchic Paints have excellent adhesion, but all paints benefit from sanding or at least surface roughening. Sanding is done on a clean surface.
A: I sanded first and only then washed, was that wrong?
Q: In a way, because by sanding a dirty surface you can sand all the dirt deep into the wood fibers.
And at the same time, your sandpaper or sanding sponge clogs with dirt and grease and quickly becomes unusable.
Always sand only a clean surface.
Q: Which Frenchic white corresponds to Tikkurila white? The intention is to paint moldings and interior doors.
A: The shades in the Frenchic series are unique, and there is no exact match with other series. Yorkshire Rose is close to the domestic list white.
Q: Can I mix Tuff Top Coat into the paint - will it make the surface more durable?
Q: We do not recommend it.
It can negatively affect the paint's durability. We recommend adding the Tuff Top Coat over dry paint according to instructions, which provides extra protection against wear on surfaces with heavy use, such as kitchen table tops, etc.
Q: I painted the stair railings about four years ago, and now in some places the paint has worn off. Why does this happen?
Q: Railings and handrails are exposed to hand oils and other impurities.
Also, preparations and cleaning done before painting have a great impact on the paint's durability - all dirt and grease must be removed from under the paint before painting. When the paint wears off in high-traffic areas, do maintenance painting as needed.
Q: How much paint do I need?
Q: Consumption depends on many factors.
Generally, it can be said that with a small 250ml can of paint you can paint, for example, two nightstands or a couple to three chairs.
One 750ml can is enough for painting a large wardrobe - three-door - twice.
The paint consumption for painting a typical kitchen cabinet is often 2x750ml.
Paint consumption increases from the usual if the surface to be painted is porous, uneven, or the base color difference is large compared to the chosen shade.
You need more paint than usual if you decide to paint the back and insides of furniture or cabinets.
Paint consumption is also affected by the chosen painting tool, technique, and each painter’s own painting style.
Uneven surfaces, such as embossed vinyl wallpaper, fiberglass wallpaper, or paneling, always consume more paint than usual. Porous surfaces, like bare wood or MDF, absorb a lot of paint. The recommendation is to seal porous surfaces before painting with Finishing Coat.
The number of coats is normally two, but this can vary if the paint is mixed carelessly, drying times between coats are not followed, or the base color differs greatly from the chosen shade.
Visit the nearest retailer for advice on coverage. Check out the FB group to see what others say about coverage in projects similar to yours.
On the side of every Frenchic Paint jar, the manufacturer’s stated coverage is printed, and you can find it in the product details here on this webshop, under each shade.
Coverage of Frenchic Paints on smooth and non-absorbent surfaces:
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Lazy Range: 750ml: 12.5m2and 250ml: 3.5m2
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Al Fresco: 750ml: 12.5m2and 250ml: 3.5m2
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Trim Paint:500ml: 7m2
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Wall paint: 2.5L: 35m2
Q: Where can I get a small amount of paint for testing?
A: The 250ml small jars are test jars from the Frenchic Paint range.
If you order today, your package will be with you in a few business days!
Q: Help! My trusted shade Al Fresco's Blackjack was out of stock again! When will it be available again?
Q: If you are painting interior surfaces, indoor furniture, or kitchen cabinets, you can choose the same lovely matte black from these ranges as well:
- From the Lazy Range (Loof),
- From the Trim Paint range (500ml, satin)
- From the wall paint range (2.5L unmatte).
All Frenchic Paint ranges are splash-proof, wipeable, and durable in everyday use.
Only Al Fresco range shades are suitable for outdoor furniture.
Due to high demand, some Frenchic products are also sold out. If the product you are looking for is sold out, it will be restocked automatically in due course. We do not respond separately to availability inquiries because delivery times vary greatly. You can also ask about product availability from your nearest retailer.
Q: We have a party next weekend, will I have time to paint the whole kitchen this week? I haven't tried your paints before.
A: We recommend trying the paints and tools first before a bigger project.
This way you will get familiar with the paint consumption, coverage, and drying times.
You will notice the kind of finish your chosen tools give and what result you are satisfied with yourself - and you will notice how fast / slow your project is.
Also take into account the drying times of the paint. You can cautiously start using a freshly painted kitchen 48 hours after painting. Still be careful with painted surfaces for a few weeks until the paint has reached its final hardness.
Q: Can I paint a high chair?
A: Yes! Frenchic Paints have been awarded the European "Toy Safe" certification, so it is safe to paint children's furniture with our paints.
However, be realistic in your painting decision: a child's high chair undergoes very heavy wear and is often cleaned with both cleaning agents and cleaning tools when dried porridge, food, and drinks are scraped from the chair joints.
Heavy wear on furniture etc. does not mean it cannot be painted.
All painted surfaces suffer from strong cleaning agents, especially disinfectants, and the use of abrasive cleaning tools. Be prepared for normal spot painting.
Q: I want to paint my wooden garden furniture once the snow melts and I can clean the furniture from snow and ice. Which paint do you recommend?
A: The Al Fresco range paints are intended for outdoor furniture.
Wooden furniture must be dry, including inside the wood - and clean before painting. Winter moisture can remain inside wooden furniture for a long time, so furniture kept outside cannot be painted immediately after the snow melts.
Take the furniture into the sun and shelter it from rain to dry before cleaning and painting. Read the Outdoor Painting Instructions before starting.
Keep painted furniture protected from the weather during the winter.
Q: I'm looking for the perfect gray wall paint that doesn't lean towards blue or green. Is there such a color in the Frenchic Paint range?
A: Available: Stone in Love.
The same shade is also available in the Trim Paint series, which is suitable for painting furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors, and trims.
Q: When can I paint after rain?
A: Wait at least 24 hours.
After rain or washing furniture, you must wait until the furniture is completely dry (wet wood feels cold to the touch). Wooden furniture must also be dry inside the wood before painting.
A good rule of thumb could be: washing and painting furniture on different days.
Q: Can you paint over wallpaper with Frenchic Paint?
A: Yes.
Choose wall paint for painting walls and check before starting that the wallpaper is firmly attached to the wall. You can paint over wallpaper.
Q: Oh no - my can is dented! Why did you send me a dented can? Can I use the paint?
Q: The thin metal shell of paint cans dents quite easily.
During transport, a metal paint or wax can inside the shipping package may have been dented, even though the cardboard packaging shows no visible signs of damage - cardboard is a flexible material, unlike thin metal.
Because package deliveries are aimed to be efficient and, at customers' request, also as fast as possible, packages really go through a lot during the shipping process.
Fortunately, dents or depressions on the side of the can do not affect the quality of the paint in any way. So you can use the paint without worry.
We do not send damaged products or dented cans to our customers.
Q: Can I paint in a cold garage during winter?
Q: Painting should be done in the right conditions. +10 degrees Celsius is the minimum for both painting work and the drying process - around the clock.
If you paint in too hot conditions or in direct sunlight, the paint dries too quickly and doesn't have time to level out - resulting in definitely noticeable brush marks.
If you paint in too cold conditions, the paint will not dry within the manufacturer's intended time, and you won't be able to work on the next coats or stages. Here you can read more about the effect of weather on your painting project.
Read Outdoor Painting Instructions before starting. Store painted furniture only protected from the weather during winter.
Q: I would like to paint a children's loft bed. What paint do you recommend?
Q: You can choose a shade for indoor furniture from any series: Trim Paint, Lazy Range, and Al Fresco.
All Frenchic Paint series paints are safe and tested for painting children's furniture and even toys. Take into account the drying times of the paint in your painting project.
Q: I would like to paint a radiator, wood-burning stove, or fireplace with Frenchic Paint series paints - is it possible?
Q: It is possible. However, schedule the painting outside the heating season; hot or warm surfaces must not be painted.
Go see pictures and experiences of our customers painting radiators and stoves in our FB group.
Painting metal is possible, as well as moderately warming surfaces, such as water-circulated radiators and surfaces that do not heat above 80 degrees.
You can easily check the surface temperature of your wood-burning stove with a thermometer. Both radiators and stoves must be cold when painting, and moderate heating can only be started two days after the painting work is completed.
Greasy soot must be carefully cleaned off the surface to be painted before painting. Frenchic Paint series paints do not contain rust inhibitors.
Frenchic Paint series paints have not been officially tested for heat resistance. Many of our customers have painted wood-burning stoves with good success.
Generally, water-based paint, like Frenchic Paints, withstands heat of 70-80 degrees. You can easily measure your target's temperature with a thermometer before painting.
Q: I would like to paint old kitchen cabinet doors - which series is suitable for that?
Q: You can choose a color for painting kitchen cabinets from any Frenchic Paint series: Wall Paint, Trim Paint, Lazy Range, and Al Fresco series.
Take into account the drying times of the paint in your painting project and read tips on Painting Kitchen Furniture before starting from Frenchic Blogs.
Q: For which paint series is a coating, wax, or varnish needed?
A: Only for Original Artisan series paints. (sold out, no longer sold in Finland)
Q: When should Finishing Coats be used?
Q: If you want extra protection especially for kitchen countertops or other surfaces that are under particularly heavy use or if you want a glossy surface instead of matte paint.
We recommend the matte Tuff Top Coat finish always for painters of table surfaces and countertops.
You can also use the matte Tuff Top Coat to protect the painted surface of kitchen cabinets.
If you want a glossy surface instead, add a couple of coats of Finishing Coat over the dry paint surface.
Frenchic series coatings are easy to apply and dry quickly. Read the work instructions in the product information.
Q: Can I normally paint over Frenchic Paints with another paint? Or with another paint from the Frenchic series?
A: Yes and yes - if you have not used self-applied furniture wax.
Make the same preparations as usual: clean the surface and roughen it before painting. If you have waxed the surface, see instructions here.
Q: I am planning the color scheme for a new home. Where can I see Frenchic Paint colors live?
Q: We recommend ordering a color wheel for planning and visiting the nearest Frenchic dealer. Check contact details on the map.
You can also order small jars for trying out colors from the online store.
Q: Where can I get a discount code or other discount for the online store?
Q: Our online store rarely has discounts, but our email subscribers receive benefits throughout the year and hear about offers or other perks first.
Note that you can only use one benefit at a time, and discounts cannot be combined. You can find discontinued products and -50% discounts here.
The last pieces and discontinued products are changing, so keep an eye on this page.
Q: Can your paints be used for art and painting canvases?
A: Of course!
And many do use them - the matte finish looks stunning in art projects. Artists have also discovered our non-toxic metallic pigment shades, the Frensheen series.
Q: I am a hobbyist restoring antique furniture and sometimes build my own furniture. Are Frenchic waxes suitable for antique furniture or finishing wooden surfaces?
A: Absolutely! Soft Frenchic waxes are natural waxes and contain beeswax, so you can care for and protect your antique furniture with them.
With Frenchic waxes, you get beautiful, thin layers effortlessly. You can choose a pre-tinted wax or a clear wax to beautifully deepen the furniture's shade.
Also Frenshimmers metallic shadesare suitable for restoring old furniture, decorative painting, and painting hardware.
Q: Where can I read more questions and answers?
A: Here.
Q: Where can I find good painting instructions?
A: You can find the painting instructions here and more instructions are available in the Frenchic Blogs.
Also read the painting instructions on the jar label before you start.
Work instructions for each product can be found on each product's page, just open a new tab.
Q: How can I be sure about the shade - I don't trust the online store images.
A: You can only be completely sure by testing the paint in the place where it is intended to be used. Small 250ml jars are meant for testing shades.
We strive in every way to ensure that the shades in the online store match the actual shades as closely as possible, but the shades may vary on different devices (your phone, tablet, desktop) depending on several factors, such as your device's screen settings.
This means that we cannot guarantee that the paint shade exactly matches what you see on your own screen.
For this reason, it is worth exploring our customers' photos, for example in the Facebook group, so you can see several pictures of the same shade. From here you can view all our other social channels.
In the group, you can conveniently search, for example, by shade name.
Q: How can I be sure of the shade - I don't want to do a test painting.
Q: You can order the Color Chart or Peel & Stick shade samples to your home and thus ensure the shades.
Q: Why does the color I chose look completely different in my home than in my friend's?
Q: You have different light and shadows in your own home.
Bright rooms reproduce shades differently than shaded ones. Spaces facing north have different shades than those facing south.
The time of day and different seasons affect color reproduction. Examine the color in different lighting, exactly in the space where you intended the shade.
Examine the paint shade only when dry, after two coats.
When testing shades, also note that the color appears differently on vertical surfaces than on horizontal surfaces.
The perfect white or beige can be a completely different shade in the living room than in the bedroom - because the light comes from a different direction.
You surely have other large color surfaces in your home that can reflect the chosen shade: ceiling, floor, rug, bedspread, curtains...
100% certainty about the color is achieved by testing it on the surface where the color is intended. Evaluate the shade only when dry, after two coats.
The choice of shade should always be made in the space and on the surface where it is intended. Note that evening sun and daylight affect colors differently. In winter, the light is a different color than in summer. The lighting you use in the space also affects color reproduction.
We therefore recommend ordering a small 250ml paint can and trying the paint, for example, on a piece of furniture in an inconspicuous spot - or visit your nearest retailer to see the colors in person. Also note that you should reserve enough paint for your project.
Careful mixing of the paint also affects the shade.
Each of us experiences colors in our own way, so a shade suitable for one person may appear completely different to another - for this reason, testing is the best way to ensure the accuracy of the shade.
Shades on your phone screen, computer, and tablet
We strive in every way to ensure that the online store's shades match the real shades as closely as possible, but shades may vary on different devices depending on several factors, such as your phone, tablet, or computer screen settings.
This means we cannot guarantee that the paint color exactly matches what you see on your screen.
We always recommend trying the shade in the space and on the surface where it is intended before a bigger project.
Examine and evaluate the shade only when dry, painted at least twice according to the instructions.
Order a small can for testing or visit your nearest retailer to see the colors yourself.
If you have painted a lot, you will surely be amazed by the quality of Frenchic series paints.
Frenchic series paints have completely new features that make painting faster, more affordable, and the result beautiful.
However, every project is unique, working conditions and tools vary, and everyone is responsible for following the instructions.
Try it yourself and fall in love!
Get a head start on your painting project by using easy-to-use and beautifully leveling Frenchic paints. You can progress quickly in your project by choosing fast-drying and odorless Frenchic Paints. Learn about the Frenchic series in this Blog and order a 250ml paint can for test painting.
Frenchic series paints have a completely new manufacturing recipe and durable protective agents are already in the paint - Convenient, right! Frenchic series paints create wear-resistant and washable surfaces without waxes or varnishes.
Painted by people, not machines - small imperfections make the result perfect, personal, and unique, and a hand-painted surface doesn't have to look factory-painted.
We always recommend trying first
Try and test the paint, try shades and different Frenchic series
Try tools, brushes, rollers, and masking tape before a bigger painting job. This way you will get familiar with the paint consumption, coverage, and drying times.
When testing, you will notice the kind of finish your chosen tools provide and what result you are satisfied with.
On the side of Frenchic Paint cans, you can check the instructions and drying times at home before painting.
Get inspired by photos and videos from our customers in the Facebook group - Join us now!
