I love using chalk paint or plaster based paint,but I wanted to share with you the truth about chalk paint.
I have been using chalk based paint for almost three years,the reason is is so wonderful is because it adheres to so many different surfaces.
But there seems to be some misconceptions about expectations chalk based paint.
The truth about chalk paint is yes it will adhere to most surfaces,but not all.
(Painted with Vintage Market & Design paint in Dove and Sweet Pea)
If a piece is not properly cleaned well before painting, chances are that it won’t adhere.
It’s not a miracle paint,it won’t make painting your kitchen cabinets any easier then priming and painting.
But if you are looking for a paint that will sand easier then yes this paint is wonderful.
I am sharing this because some of you know a very good friend of mine is selling a plaster based paint in her shop.
And some seem to think that chalk based paint is a miracle paint.
Well it’s not,yes it does do amazing things but only if you use it as it was meant to be used.
I think of it as an artists paint,fun it you are looking for a vintage look.
But if you are wanting to use this because you want to skip priming and painting then you will be sadly disappointed.
Why because as I said this is meant to look aged,so you will have to sand it,you will have brush marks.
This paint is not about perfection,but for beautiful imperfection.
(Just added this pink chandelier to my family room)
You cannot be a perfectionist and use this paint,because perfection is not what you should be looking for when using a chalk based paint.
The truth about chalk based paint is that it is a wonderful product to use if you are seeking a vintage look.
It adheres to most surfaces,and sands well which makes it much easier and faster to do a project.
I have used chalk based paint on many surfaces already and I have been very happy with the results.
My advice is to experiment on cheap pieces before you paint your beautiful dining room set or your kitchen cabinets.
Find pieces at garage sales or flea markets and experiment.
I have never been afraid to just go for it when starting projects because I know if I don’t like it then it can be fixed.
But some will panic if things don’t turn out just as they wanted and then instead of thinking about the right way to do it they just jump back in for an easy fix.
And usually they are not happy with the result.
The truth about chalk paint is that it is a wonderful product and tool to use for distressing furniture and other pieces.
But it’s not going to perform miracles,so please follow the directions,take a workshop and please practice on pieces first before attempting,unless you are like me a risk taker.
Then you must know the consequences.
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That sweet chandelier I shared in my photos was a recent thrift find.
To actually use it as a light source , I would need to rewire it but I really did not need a working one,so I just painted it using Vintage Market & design paint,using one coat of Dove and one coat of Sweet Pea.
Instead of sanding it I just used an old t-shirt and some water.
I sprayed the water on the t-shirt and wiped off the paint on the chandelier.
It still gives it that aged look without sanding it.
And I did not wax it because it is just going to hang in my family room.
The pink works perfectly with my pink shutters hanging on my wall and my sweet faded blanket I just found and added to our sofa.
Joining:
This is a very good post, Anne, and I don’t use chalk paint, but admire finished pieces (and have bought a couple) with chalk paint finish. You mention plaster-based paint – are you using that term synonymously with chalk paint? Another thing I still cannot wrap my head around is chalk-painted fabric. Exactly what should one expect when using chalk paint on a fabric? I have visions of something being spilled, only to be wiped and taking all the paint off. Or, to stand from sitting on a chalk-painted fabric chair, etc., and having paint on one’s bottom; or worse, a waxy stain! I know it’s very popular, but how would you assess use with fabric furniture? Do you recommend it?
Rita C at Panoply
Rita chalk paint is a plaster based paint.That is what is used to latex paint to make it a chalk paint.I have actually painted furniture with it and have had amazing results.If done right it will feel like soft leather and yes you can sit in it and it will not crack.But I would not paint an expensive chair as my first project,maybe start out with a cheap pillow from a thrift store.I love using this paint on furniture and yes I painted my kitchen cabinets.But if you are just starting to use paint then I would start small.Better to experiment on a small piece like a picture frame or a cheap chair from a thrift shop then your treasured piece.
Thanks for the wonderful article on chalk paint. I’m one of those that’s just about to jump into the world of chalk paint and this was just what I needed. My husband, the perfectionist, would probably never use it but I think it’ll be perfect for re-painting our dining room set. I’m definitely going to take your advice and start on smaller projects first, though! Thanks again, love your blog!
xo jonni xo
Your welcome Jonni,Don’t be afraid to use it.But if you have never worked with it I would suggest painting a small piece that is not very expensive before painting your dining room set 🙂
Hello Anna,
What a great article. I have been a bit frustrated with chalk paint. I took one class. That class told me hardly anything.
I just bought chalk paint with wax in it. Not sure how this is,. Have you tried this paint yet??
Yes I paint with chalk paint (plaster paint) all the time.It works great you just need to be educated and practice a bit in my opinion before actually using it on sentimental piece.I love this paint 🙂
Maryann I have never heard of chalk pain with wax in it so I cannot say anything about that product without using it.
I actually don’t really agree with you point of view. I have used chalk paint with sanding or getting a vintage look. I painted an Ethan Allen cabinet and it looks as good and as fresh as if I used paint and primer. Marcy
Marcy I love chalk paint but it’s meant to be used to age a piece.If you are using it and not aging it but you are happy with the brush marks and don’t mind sanding it then great :-). I love using this paint.It just seems that many are disillusioned at what chalk paint (plaster paint) is supposed to do and what it is meant to be used for.
Great blog post Anne. Thanks for being authentic and sharing your paint experiences along with your guidance.
For your blog followers who have shared questions/comments regarding the paint terms…the furniture paint that I sell shares this definition:
Gesso (Plaster of Paris), Chalk & Water Based
Low VOC No Toxins No Odors
Tinted with natural earth pigments
Made in USA
Paint on…and enjoy the imperfect journey!
xo, Janet
Thanks Janet!
Anne- so amazing- i just love it!!! And I just have to say that your photography is just stunning!!!!
Thanks so much Lynda!
love the lst pic–with the white finish showing through the sweet pink color:)
Thank you Lynn!
You are so right about chalk paint. I had painted a mismatched hutch and buffet and it turned out beautiful. I just attempted painting a little side table I picked up at Hobby Lobby just this morning and……the dark red paint is bleeding through the antique white chalk paint. OK, after this dries, I’m painting on a layer of Kilz. Wish I’d done that first, instead of wasting a layer of expensive chalk paint. ($8.00 for 8 ounces is expensive to me, I’m cheap) Love chalk paint, but it’s not a miracle, just like you said. Experience is the best teacher, I guess. Learn from my mistake though. Dark intense colors may bleed through.
Denise I know that was not an old piece but that has happened to me a few times when I painted an old piece.Sometimes the lead in the old varnish bleeds through.When that happens I have used a product called Shellac.I always use the brush on not the spray.If I get a bleed through I wait until the paint is dry.When it’s dry I will apply the shellac on top of that paint that is bleeding through.I will usually apply 2-3 coats as directed.When that is dry and I usually wait till it drys 24 hours I will re-apply the paint on top of the shellac.That shellac provides a barrier,and as you add the paint on top of it the bleed through will not occur.With the shellac you can still sand it and get that underneath color coming through.With a primer it may be harder to sand through.
I have only used chalk paint for a vintage look too. I have been fortuate though to have it stick well to my furniture even if I didn’t distress it. My dining room table is painted in chalk paint. Your new pink chandelier is cute in your family room!
Thanks Kelly,you have done a beautiful job on all of the pieces you painted!
I’ve been researching tables (dining/kitchen) that have been painted with a chalk paint and mostly I’m finding that the owner doesn’t hold on to the table for long. Some have confessed that the durability of the painted table wasn’t great and so they’ve replaced them. What are your thoughts on chalk paint as a surface for a kitchen or dining table? I’ve seen that you do have a dining table nicely done. Do you use it often or cover it when in use?
Thanks
Stacy I have painted many many pieces with chalk paint and I love using it.Honestly everything I have painted with it has held up very well.I painted my dining room table and chairs using a primer and paint.The dining table and chairs have not chipped at all and they are very durable.But I did not want a chippy look on these pieces and never expected them to do that.But on every piece I painted with chalk paint I wanted a distressed aged look.And for that they have held up very well.I wax just about every piece I paint.Sometimes at least three coats of wax including my kitchen cabinets.The more use I will have on a piece the more wax I add.I would never do more than three coats of wax.But as I said I can wipe my cabinets off no problem.I just think some are thinking that using this product is going to be the answer not to prime and paint.Yes you can skip that step and yes it does hold well.But plaster is added to make it easier to sand.If you don’t want a distressed look then I would recommend using a good primer and paint.You can always use a glaze on your set to give it an aged look.That’s what I did with mine 🙂
Mary Ann stated that she had just bought chalk paint with WAX IN IT…you never addressed that. I’d also appreciate your thoughts on that kind of paint and what that wax included IN the paint is supposed to do…:) love your posts and get them daily! look forward to them…
Sara I have never used paint with wax in it so I cannot reply on that.I personally don’t think I would use a paint like that.I want to control what I do that is just personal reference.
You know, I make and sell my own version of plaster paint and I never have issues with brush strokes. I do water my 2nd coat down a wee bit for easier gliding along the surface. I have painted furniture and kitchen cabs using my paint and no one could tell. All depends on treatment and sealer.
I don’t have brush marks often either,but it does happen and if it does I am fine with it Deborah.Yes watering it down a bit does help.I love using chalk based paint 🙂
Thanx so much for the great advice on chalk paint. I have never used it before I have found that a good old fashion satin or matte paint works as well. It’s very inexpensive to.
Have a LOVERLY Day! Jo from Anne’s Attic – Design http://fulcolbaxia.wordpress.com
Your welcome Joanne!
VERY well said Anne – I’ve had people ask me to get a laquer type finish with chalk paint – ( NOT happening lol )
It’s very much an artisan paint – but for furniture
xox
Thank you Suzan 🙂
Where did u purchase the angel wings in your living room? Or did u Diy them? I have been looking for a reasonably priced pair. Thank u so much.
Mary,I was fortunate and won those Angel wings from Decor Steals,They had a give away.But I just purchased them from Decor Steals because I thought they were very reasonable,the best I have seen.When I won they refunded me my money.
Very informative, I will definitely stay tuned in! I am going to try the cloth method instead of sanding. I learned a hard lesson by chalk painting my very vintage candle sconces. I should have mixed with water and sprayed on. After much wire brushing I was fortunate enough to spray paint with can of white Satin. Drying time took longer but I’m okay with the outcome. (Although that’s not I exactly wanted, but after that workout…I’ll settle?
I adore your chandelier! I’m trying to get the Sweat Pea color from mixing my Annie Sloan cans (I’m a hoarder ?) Do you have any suggestions as I’m ready now and I don’t want to wait for product to be mailed.