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I will sand it down this weekend, one coat of primer, a couple of coats of eggshell — and it will cupboard door hinges lowes llc perfect! That was bleed through and can I not pecan! We purchased a Leprechaun Class C motor-home brand new liwes the local Coachmen dealer in October Who paid for all of this: Well after calls and email over the course from when it was delivered to now cupboard door hinges lowes llc did pay for the repairs. Great piece! I love chalk paint and have been using it for quite a few years.

I have an old roll top desk that I want to paint, any tips? I read a Pinterest post that claimed that the fabric felt like soft leather after painting and waxing it with annie sloane products. Have you heard anything about the differences on fabric? I was over shabby chic before it ever started! And I absolutely agree with you on the chalk paint.

Thank goodness all things go thru trends and this one seems to be waning. Thank you. I thought there was something inherently wrong with me not liking Chalk Paint and the distressed look. I can now paint my cabinets in bliss….

I paint with satin finish and used Minwax paste wax on my smaller pieces and Aqua Spar polyurethane in antique flat for a finish coat on my larger pieces of furniture. Smaller pieces are boxes and smaller wooden pieces. The AquaSpar is a water based product and will not yellow white painted pieces. Hope that helps. And you are so right about the expense. I did not know about the pink coming through. That would make me cry. A well finished piece of furniture is a tactile thing also. The very thought puts my teeth on edge.

Like cleaning an old fashioned chalk board with your bare hands! Ok, I guess the wax makes it all better? Ah yes, to each her own! I like them all. I call it a bicep workout! Yet I love the feel. You know what I love about having distressed furniture in my house?

It never matters if you bump into or hit something when you are vacuuming, etc, lol. However, after I paint something, it is incredibly hard for me to distress it!!!! IF I can get up the courage to do it. And sometimes I paint things and just leave as is, in their perfectly painted state. Water based polyurethane will not yellow white paint. Recommend AquaSpar poly in antique flat finish. Must order online from Amazon or order through Lowes or Home Depot.

Hard to find a store that stocks it. I first bought a can of chalk paint to try out on little projects like picture frames because I was attracted to the claim that it covers every type of surface — glass, cheap plastic, wood, etc. After a few experiments I then tried it on an old plain wooden dresser and was happy with the results. Thanks for your perspective! I am a latex paint girl for sure but wanted to try the chalk paint on a piece. The idea of saving time on the prep time attracted me but I found the finish time with waxing to be very time consuming, messy and did not deliver the finish I like to see.

Living in a cold weather state I could not work in the garage so I ended up painting smaller pieces in my kitchen. I used chalk paint because it was more convenient than freezing in the garage sanding first.

I did experiment using Minwax paste wax and using polyurethane over chalk paint. Both worked well and were easier to work with than AS wax. You have a wonderful way of explaining things when teaching and giving information in general.

I will now think of prep work with a different attitude. Except a few weeks from now, we have to repaint our house. I will probably still look down the length after scraping a while and cry. Thank you for your explanation about not using chalk paint. I have tried it because of the rave reviews and I was sorely disappointed in the results. I thought it was just my lack of skill in using that particular type of paint. BTW I love all your projects. I had thought I was skilled at decorating and woodworking until I started reading your blog…..

You made my day! You have a good sense of humor. Dragging behind a truck….. If someone has alrready asked you this already, I apologize for repeating the question. I was wondering if you usually put a polyurethane or something else over your latex paint to seal it and to keep the paint from scratching off? I usually use oil based paint because my experience with latex is that it scratches off easily.

But oil based paint has a strong odor and is a little harder to work with plus the clean up is a pain. I am not the best prepper though, so that could be why the latex scratches off too.

I usually just give a quick sanding and start painting. And I agree, anymore I see that this look is merely a short cut way to not finish a wood project properly. Thanks for the great post. Very interesting. I have not attempted to use chalk paint yet but do have some on hand for when I do.

Latex paint you have so many more colors to choose from too. I am glad I finally have someone who agrees with me! What works for some people, may not work well for others. I would still prep the door before painting as I want it as smooth as possible. Did I miss something? I had heard of chalk paint on some of the blogs.

Saw the pictures, but that is always hard to tell. I happened to find some chalk painted pieces at an antique store in the area. I was impressed with the beautiful finish it had. I then looked at the cans of paint, the beautiful colors, the brushes, the classes, the wax, the whole ball of wax. But, I am happy it is out there and you never know there may be a treasure I may find that I just might want to use it on.

I make halkpaint with non-sanded grout. Just use 1 cup paint and 1 Tablespoon of Plaster of Paris. I had a red shelf that I wanted to use this on and it worked fine, but it was sanded well first and then I did two coats. I want used look, not trashy look! Very cheap to make your own chalk paint, tho, and yes I did wax it, because it is in my kitchen and I wanted the finish to be washable! I liked the way it turned out, but it is time consuming. The three coats of enamel took just one afternoon.

The outside is weathered pallet wood, so it is rustic looking, but the shelves will hold food in glass jars, so they are painted. All the acrylic paint was much fasted drying! Enjoyed reading your post. I happen to be a huge lover of chalk paint, it is an investment I agree. But it is worth it to me. I painted furniture to save for a trip to see my first grandbaby in Guam and to see my daughter and son in law for the first time in two years.

I worked my butt off with the help of my sister! So maybe I have an emotional connection. This is the fun part of having friends, different ideas and passions! My sister swears by chalk paint but I, as you, fail to see how it is so much better than regular paint. My sister DOES love brand names, but not me. We tried making our own chalkpaint which was an even bigger disaster.

Give me a can of spray paint spray paint is a lot more durable or latex paint which is a lot thicker and covers better than chalk paint.

I think you summed it up very well. Thanks for this assessment. I have used chalk paint and agree that the durability is not there, even with a post waxing. What is really annoying me is that everyone thinks a piece has to be painted. I was looking for a piece for my bathroom to turn into a vanity and almost every single piece I looked at was Annie Sloaned!!!

And finally,we live in America, and the absolute beauty of that is that everyone has the freedom of self expression. Very interesting about the chalk paint. I too enjoy the prep of sanding, priming, sanding painting, sanding painting…. Some pieces I will do a few coats of satin polyurethane to protect the paint from staining. Thanks for how kindly you express your taste. We LOVE the distressed look but realize not everyone does. We do! Good article. I also do not like it distressed. I have refused to paint my nice, expensive furniture.

A few cheap pieces, yes. I think when everyone gets all their furniture painted, then the style will become natural wood again! What is everyone going to then? I guess instead of chalk paint, there will be a run on wood stripper! I am afraid this is just a fad that is coming to an end soon. Love your post. I had to shellac a lot. And I had to wax. Good post. They are all cute little tables that fit the space I purchased them for. That said- I have 3 naked bar stools hey that sounds like a band and a gorgeous unfinished 3 cubbie bench in my mudroom I cant decide on what to use.

I also love to paint with latex paint, and have been a bit nervous to use chalk paint. Your post clarified a lot of questions I had about it too, so thanks for that! Because of the wax you have to strip it. I could kick myself for using that stuff. Love your blog!

Thanks so much for posting this! With all the paint I use on my pieces I would constantly be having it shipped in because of the the small sized cans and would would have to charge tree times as much because of the huge price!

I can achieve much the same look with latex paint — if I want a more flat look I might add a chalk powder — but regardless of either — any of them distress well with a sander if that is the look you want!

Not realizing that Latex has a bazillion more options. Love this article! You have said everything I think and feel about chalk painted over distressed furniture. Not to my taste either. But to each their own. Thanks for such great information. Love your down-to-earth explanations! Thank you for sharing much of what I also think about chalk paint, Kristi. I have used chalk paint, latex paint, and my favorite- milk paint.

Great piece! Thanks for the insight. Thanks for that. But just had to this time. I painted my kitchen cabinets with Annie Sloans chalk paint.

I cleaned them but did not sand or any other prep. I then did a light distressing and finished by waxing them. They are number one stunning!!! I have not has to reapply wax. Or any other horrible thing. I also am an interior designer and professional faux finisher. Chalk paint along with latex and oil. Is a great product. Just depends on personal preference and the job at hand. She addressed and answered her followers who asked why she does not use it.

I have used Chalk paint and I like it for some of the reasons mentioned. I did not buy the expensive brushes and found that it covers a lot. I also like latex. Personally, I like having some distressed items too.

Latex paint is tried and true for me and I can achieve a crisp clean finish or distress the heck outa it if I so choose. I do like distressed stuff…. It depends on the piece. I love several different styles of furniture, so I use several different types of paint. Smooth, clean finishes look good on certain pieces, and on others, it makes them look cheap and plastic. I also primarily use latex. Since I sell my refinished furniture, regardless of the type of paint, the piece is always sealed with multiple coats of some kind of sealant wax, poly, oil.

Although it may not require sealing, like chalk paint, latex paint alone is not tough enough to stand up to serious wear and tear. Elisha, I know you were teasing with your comment! Kristi, I appreciate this post so much. I like how you explained your preference for prep associated with types of paint other than chalk paint.

The thing that I keep reading over and over from different bloggers is the rather steep learning curve with the finishing wax used over chalk paint, and how much time and effort it takes to get it applied and buffed out correctly.

She loved the end result; it was far too rustic for my tastes! I do have some ASCP paint samples to test out on small pieces but have never used it, I should probably give it a go to see how I like it. I still am rather partial to my latex paint, though! Thanks for writing about this.

Now I know why. Your comments on distressed furniture were terrific! And I believe a Purdy brush can last forever with the right care, too! Glad I read your story. Take care. Thanks for your point of view. Let me start by saying that I am not at all offended by your article. Different strokes for different folks. It costs very little when you make it yourself. It has been my experience that chalk paint holds up very well and should only take one coat.

I do not sand or prep other than making sure my furniture is clean before painting. Waxing is very simple and takes no time at all. I would not spend a lot of money on brand name chalk paint when I can make my own.

There are recipes on line for those who would like to try at least one piece. I do want to say that I follow you and I really enjoy your blog. I get great pleasure out of seeing your projects. Keep up the great work. When I read all these blogs full of distressed furniture the first thing that pops into my mind is somebody is going to be doing a lot of refinishing or repainting when the distressed age is a thing of the past.

Plus I would never pay those prices, so like you, I think I will stick with my prep work and latex paint. Thanks for your insight and as always I love your blog! I was introduced to chalk paint, not long ago, and I am very excited about its unique finish.

The price was way too much for me, so I opted for a chalk additive which can be added to any latex paint. Depending on the project, I vary between the chalk paint and latex. Just an option for someone who likes both types of paint:. Great, Great, information! I feel the very same as you! This post is hilarious! Dragged behind a truck! The home made version turned out kind of gritty.

I always like to sand before painting and in between coats, for a nice smooth finish. It has almost no smell, comes in different sheens, and is half the price of ASCP. Your sense of humor and witty writing style always cracks me up — I hope you keep blogging for a long time — this is a fun blog!

Thank you for this article. I cannot say I will never try CP, as I may just to get a feel for it. I have some beautiful family antiques that provide incredible richness, warmth and luster that paint of any kind will not touch. But I do want to add a pop of color here and there. Depending on the item and use will determine the finish. Your pieces are beautiful and I am glad not totally distressed…love some metallic highlights!

Thanks again, Kristi! Thank you for your thoughtful information about chalk paint. Your blog has been very helpful. I look forward to more information on these projects. My to-do list is long, but I am slowly tackling things as I gather experience. I appreciate your candor.

Thank you for the post. I hope for everyone getting ready to paint furniture reads this. I done a lot of reading about chalk paint before making a decision. Money made the choice for me. And to really save money, most of my paints are bought from the mis-mixed section of the stores. My living room is full of pieces that were simply painted using either sample size paints or a paint color no one wanted. Happy Painting To All! Kristi, I do use chalk paint and I was certainly not in the least bit offended by your post why should I be?

Firstly, the biggest reason I use chalk paint and milk paint is that they are less chemical-y and vapor-y than latex and oil. Also, these products are easy to clean up with just soap and water. So I use chalk paint, milk paint, and carefully chosen waxes to minimize my exposure to solvents. A quart costs slightly more than a gallon of cheap latex, slightly less than a gallon of better latex. I find that the price is justified by several things: the coverage of the paint when used appropriately it will go a long way — the exception to this is white shades , the ease of the painting fewer drips and brush marks , and the finish which I DO like.

But I do love the aged look that the combination of soft color and soft texture give, I love the buttery softness of a waxed piece, and I love the depth of color. I do not love the harsher tones of latex paint; pale or bright, it lacks depth to my eyes. Oil is better. But see fumes, above, and also oil is a pain to work with. Of course you have to prep a damaged finish.

Of course. For instance, latex and waxed chalk paint will both melt in a moving truck! But the latex piece has to be totally re-done, whereas the chalk painted piece just has to be waxed again. Neither finish responds well to hot teapots. And now I have a question: have you tried the Benjamin Moore Advance paint, that is supposed to be for cabinets and furniture? I might need to give it a try!

I just tried the Ben Moore Advance paint on my kitchen cabinets he hardest job I ever tackled I sanded, primer with what they told me to use…had to wait HOURs before applying Advance mineral oil based pant like the next day and then had to wait 16 hours before the 2nd coat of advance and sanded in between.

The point of the mineral oil is to slow the drying process down so the paint has more time to level out. The finish is very nice and HARD. I also painted over the hinges and then lightly sanded them with a sanding sponge to remove some of the paint and they look AWESOM!!!!!! I was told that white vinegar and water removes the wax. Does anyone know if that is true?

I had no signs of painting on me with the chalk paint. Thank you, Fran. I was an interior and furniture painter years ago and would only use Benjamin Moore. That was before there were less toxic paints to choose from. Thanks to Kristi and everyone for such a valuable discussion on a topic I love! Looking forward to getting back into furniture painting again!

Chalk paint is wonderful! For every one piece I find that was painted nicely with CP I run into about 20 that look like crap. I enjoy your blog immensely! Keep up the good work!! I use both chalk paint and latex. Some pieces I like to look more distressed and some more polished.

There are pros and coins to both paints. With that said , in most cases, latex is more durable. Latex is much harder to sand off. I always prep my pieces for any refinish though. I probably over prep. But I like to get the piece as smooth and close to raw and new before hand. Then later I decide what finish will be more durable based on the use of the individual piece.

Sometimes I mix a combination of different paints and finishes. I like the paint because of its ease of use and flexibility.

I am not at all shabby chic, in fact, my style is more retro modern, and I have quite a few pieces in my own home that work well with my particular style. This paint works well with any style but the key is knowing how to use it. And it does take a bit of getting used to. I agree about the shabby chic and hopefully we will soon see the end of it or see it used in better applications.

It is actually quite amazing. And I think people have a hard time grasping this concept- it is less paint than latex but more expensive. Kristi prefers to use latex, as do many of her readers. I, on the other hand, prefer to use Chalk Paint. Neither one is better- they have different applications and different possibilities. It has been around for over 20 years but has just hit the American market recently which is probably why many think it is new and trendy.

My only issue that I have is copycat companies that have started up their own versions of chalk paint…. That is crap business practice but as for a Chalk Paint vs.

They are both good- it is all up to personal preference. Once I get in the new house that furniture is coming out! Thanks Kristi. I personally like the way the white dresser looks. I too agree that chalk paint is way overpriced along with the wax and brushes. I am so glad I found this. I purchased them when I first started painting furniture because I thought that was the only way to go. You have to stir very well, and even then it is clumpy.

Then you have to sand, paint again and sand. Then on to waxing. It burns me when I just spent 2 hours getting the perfect finish and this happens. I saw so many bloggers posting pictures of their furniture and it looked so impressive, but then again, no one ever posts a close-up of the finish. I even tried spraying it and it leveled beautifully, but when I was taking it back inside to wax it brushed an edge on the door frame and it chipped.

I was sold! My piece was beautiful, no brush strokes, no waxing and I was actually proud of the work I had done! I will not buy another can of name brand chalk paint again-done, finished and shut the door!

One of the best furniture painters in my town never uses chalk paint and her pieces are stunning! Thanks for making me feel like I am not alone. Varnish, perhaps. Nice preservative. Perhaps even the teabag trick.

So you can piss off all the chalk paint people which I also detest and at the end of the day I think your taste sucks as well. And look, ma, no sanding. I HATE chalk paint too. I love the way your desk looked after you painted it nicely. Not with that nasty chalk paint. I have seen them in pictures and thought, oh, thats kinda nice only to have seen the same piece in person and thought it was crap. Its like a woman trying to take a picture in great lighting and tons of makeup to look appealing on a dating site only to meet the person to see she looks NOTHING like her picture.

Loved this post. Pecan I paint over chalk paint with latex paint or do I need a primer first? I gave the zinzer primer which I use for everything but it is not the oil based one. At this point, your best bet might actually be to finish it with the chalk paint. Omigosh pardon the typos in above comment…my iPad is on Prozac! That was bleed through and can I not pecan!

I got that. Thanks for your response! The thing is I am out of chalk paint and unwilling to spend more on it. No thank you. But something was bugging me about how it behaved, as if I had used something very similar before. Came home and did a side-by-side test of the chalk paint vs. Guess what? I got identical results. I have half a mind to just tint the Stix and use that on my next makeover. Well, sanding and buffing use just about the same amount of effort.

It seems that when you chalk paint, you not only have to paint hopefully one coat, but often you have to do 2 coats , you have to then distress to your liking by sanding, then you add the wax, then you buff the wax.

If you want to do the 2-color process, you have to double the amount of work. I lightly sand, then prime, then paint. If I choose to distress and I mean lightly, as you said then I just sand some obvious areas. If I want it antiqued, then in just use Folkart Antiquing Medium. Rock on…. So actually your whole argument is lacking fact.. What the crap? Oh, wow! Finally an answer to my question! Found out about chalk paint a few months ago and was sold on the idea of no sanding no priming.

Yeah right. Oh and of course had to spray shellac so I can paint using my no priming needed expensive chalk paint. I am now investigating what latex paint I can use that has no or low voc. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!! Hi, I love this post! I dislike chalk paint and this crazy new popularity of it! How do you remove chalk paint? I would paint over it but I desire the wood below and the calk paint has taken out all the carved details too. I actually have no idea.

I know! Thank you for looking and yes I hope someone else knows the answer…. Id like to see whats under all of it before repainting if thats the way I go. Thanks for a really helpful post. I have had real problems with some chalk paint projects, I did not realise until too late that if you apply laquer it draws any wood stains right through the paint and you can end up with a real mess.

Usually I do sand and prime, this time I just sanded and it looked ok at first. I had also decoupaged so the sanding down process was a nightmare. I plan to try an eggshell finish next. I actually just chalk painted my first piece of furniture today. I read all the hype and ventured to a local place that sold chalk painted furniture to see if it was a finish I would tolerate. I admit, it was a bit different from what I expected but here is why I opted to spend the small fortune.

The old entertainment center was a crappy mahogany stained piece. Do the math. Nothing sounded better to me than a distressed appearance, which required zero prep work and a coat or 2 of paint. Nutshell…chalk paint is great for us lazy folks, on a budget, who also happen to like distressed looks. I beg my step-dad to paint my pieces that need to look pretty and new.

Get that old gunk off! Painting furniture is not for the lazy or impatient,but it can be done right on a pretty conservative budget. I personally think there is not better finish than sanding and latex it really achieves a thin beautiful shine- be warned- it takes work!

So, long story short…I have spent far too many hours and far too much money on chalk paint on my kitchen cabinets. I wish I had read yuri post prior to painting.

My question for you is this…how should I fix them to achieve a durable and shiny finish? Do you know the best method for painting white kitchen cabinets? Any suggestions would be appreciated! I am a newbee at repurposing furniture. A friend recommended chalk paint and then distressing it. I did not want to distress it but I used chalk paint anyway. I am not liking the results. It is streaked and I have used 3 coats.

I wish I had read your post prior to painting. If I were in your shoes, I would sand them perfectly smooth, prime with an oil-based primer I use Zinsser Cover Stain , and then paint. Or you can spray them. I purchased a sprayer on Amazon called Critter before I remodeled my kitchen, and I love the finish! There are different strokes for different folks!!! There are more people out here loving the chippy look. Everything you said makes perfect sense. Nothing shabby about it, just old and beautiful!

And faux shabby painting is the worst! Thanks for taking the time to explain all of this! I have often thought many of the same things that you have posted, and feel exactly the same way about the whole distressed furniture look.

It seems that this is not the trendy thing to say in the blogging world right now, but I appreciate someone actually laying it all out to descibe what I had had my suspicians about already. What color and brand paint did you use on the desk? Found your info looking for valid reasons to bash chalk paint as a reliable finish.

I restore pieces to original and am not interested in painting furniture. I am lucky I work at a high end architectural woodworking company and I have my coworkers to advise me and teach me the craft. I am just finishing restoring a black lacquer piece that could have easily been painted, but I wanted it perfect and durable. I made a deal with my coworker to spray it for me. He tinted the lacquer black so the color will be all through the finish and will not scratch off, etc.

I did all the stripping and sanding and did a good job as he would have had issues with my work when he did the first coat. Anyway, I have noticed chalk painted pieces in retail stores and they were scratched all to hell.

I have no trust in that as a valid and serious finish option. Too many DIYers think they know what they are doing when there is a lot more to working with wood and finishes and think they can just pick up a piece, slap some paint on it and sell it. The poor buyer will quickly realize the finish job sucks and will be disappointed. Thanks for the info, you confirmed my hunch. Great post. I have been contemplating using chalk paint for the first time and then I decided to do a little more research and came upon this website.

I like the slightly distressed look myself and I was wondering it I used home made chalk paint made with plaster of paris could I use a coat of poly on top of it vs the wax paint? I have to try it at least once. This was an interesting article and loved that you shared your opinion. Pros — I did not sand before putting on the paint and it only required 2 coats to complete cover the already lacquered wood.

Waited for it to dry…. The wax is the hardest part of the process — you have to really rub the wax into the surface. After that if you want a nice sheen, buff. I did not distress my item at all — and it actually looks just a regular painted item would.

I can run my fingernail into it, and it holds up just fine. Biggest con — prepare for a little arm workout with the waxing and buffing buffing if you only want shine.

This was a very helpful article. Thank you for writing it. It answered a lot of the questions I had about chalk paint, the finish and the durability. I recently decided to paint a chest of drawers in my room.

I did loads of research online regarding painting tips and techniques and was surprised at the high percentage of posts recommending using chalk paint. Like so many others, I was initially seduced by the thought of not having to prime first, but the more I read the more I was put off, especially by the waxing and expense side. For me, if a painted piece of furniture naturally ends up that way then cool, but otherwise it feels a bit like trying too hard.

So when I recently found a discard wooden wardrobe on the pavement just down the road from where I live on my way home after enjoying a few beers , I thought this way the perfect opportunity to show what can be achieved by using dulux satinwood to upcycle some furniture.

I had to make a cornice for the top and build a drawer using some pallet wood I had but I think the finished product turned out really well, much better than if I had used chalk paint. So how many pieces of painted furniture is too many? I have a entryway with a table and a bench I want to paint them both. Any rules of thumb or thoughts about tt? I just not want my whole house to look like wow she found a paint store..

There are no rules. I just do what looks right to me for each room. Too late for me. It still looks streaky and well, like I painted it with primer. I guess try to sand it down? If you have three coats on there, I personally would use a chemical stripper first to remove the bulk of it, and then follow up with sanding. Thank you for your article. I have a project that I want to tackle but wanted to ask how much sanding is required prior to using primer. I have used AS chalk paint on several projects over the last 3 years.

I had read about the paint quite a few years ago inEnglish decorating magazines. I used a wax finish on all the pieces. All the pieces including the wardrobe painted and waxed the week before the move arrived in the same condition they left. I like the paint a lot. Sometimes I sand beforehand and sometimes between coats. I like waxing as much as I like sanding. I sometimes lightly distress but I do not like heavily distressed furniture and I agree much of the painted furniture I see in shops are boring.

It comes down to taste. I have not used latex in several years because I find it remains sticky and easily peels. My 2cents. I use both or more than one kind of paint and I mix up this worn look with solid color also. I do like chalk paint and love latex also.

Both are very good…. Hi Kristi, Beautiful name by the way, lol. I am forever grateful to you for writing this and putting it out there. On a side note, I have done distressing with sand paper or steel wool on my latex painted furniture to the point that one cannot tell the difference between it and a chalk painted piece.

You can get the same look and effect with a lot less effort and money. Hi, Interesting post! I enjoyed reading your article.

What a really great article, thanks for sharing your knowledge! You have convinced me not to try chalk paint, for my next project. Really enjoyed this post! I realize this is an older post and may not get a response but I will try. It is a pain to apply over larger pieces like a table top , since you need to keep a wet edge and it dries way to fast. I am interested in what brand or type of latex paint you use for furniture?

Thank you so much! I always use Behr from Home Depot. I thought I was painting wrong with the chalk paint! Six years ago I sanded, primed and painted two end tables. They still look great. Wish I wouldnt have wasted my time. It took two coats and then waxing. The tables show marks and dirt and are hard to clean!

They did look good, for a minute! Chalk paint is a trend. Remember milk paint? I just wanted to give a second opinion from someone who does BOTH refinishing of wood and I make my own chalk paint.

First point I want to make is you can easily and cheaply make your own chalk paint. Second point is that a simple coat of polyurethane with or without stain will completely seal the paint and it will not flake or scratch. Mix it up and add to your latex, oops or other paint. I usually pay. You can find it at HD and Lowes. This homemade chalk paint is handy when you are painting something that is cheap wood with one of those cheap glossy finishes and sanding will be a lot of work and maybe not a good idea for cheap wood.

It just makes the paint stick without having to sand. I like the new matte finish because it has no gloss or shine. It works great. We even banged the shelves around trying to get them inside and the paint did not scratch. I have 2 kitchen chairs that have this same type of homemade paint on the legs with a coat of poly on top and we sit with our feet on them all the time and they look like they did the first day I finished them.

Just another option!!! I just did my kitchen cabs with AS chalk paint and was wondering about a clear coat. A friend of mine did it once and ruined her cabinets. The wax started melting off in areas that got heat, and it shows wear very easily — i. Very pleased to find this blog. I can see every brush mark — and to be frank — it looks a mess. I will sand it down this weekend, one coat of primer, a couple of coats of eggshell — and it will be perfect!

Thanks for writing this, very informative and honest! Thank you so much for this post! I want to paint my kitchen cabinets with chalk paint but now I will use latex paint. Thanks a lot for sharing this useful and helpful information!

You should try General Finishes! I also like Behr latex paint for a smooth finish! I would like to whack the people who say any idiot can paint furniture with chalk paint. They have it wrong. The idiots are people like me who think they can paint with chalk paint. I took an expensive class and painted through one small piece of wood after another, using six techniques. When I ran into trouble, the instructor would not stop and help. And I was dumb enough to purchase the expensive paint, brushes and wax.

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