We waxed and everything, loaded the table into the car to take it to their house, took it out and there was a long gray scratch across the top from our suitcases Also, I like the glossy finish of factory finished furniture which Ive never been able to achieve from chalk paint. Not after reading your article. And I agree about chalk paint. , Thanks for your response! Having watched several tutorials on the use of this stuff I am left with the impression that its for amateurs that want to refinish furniture and dont want to do a lot of work or really learn the craft of finishing wood. Now I know I dont want it! So how in the world does that make me a bad craftsman? Personally, I like having some distressed items too. There are no rules. I did not buy the expensive brushes and found that it covers a lot. I loved reading this! I am forever grateful to you for writing this and putting it out there. If folks love the style thats what counts. Dont get me started. Thanks!!! I just dont get it. Kristi: You use whatever left over latex paint you have around the house. That look began to find a market place in the late 1960s when DIY antique kits were on the market to give life anew to some old beat up piece of garbage furniture that wasnt worth restoring. I do like the chippy look, but I prefer to be able to use the piece of furniture for what it was meant for everyday living. I spent a fortune this weekend on chalk paint and wax, believing that only one coat was required and no prep. The way I always understood it, when you distress a piece of furniture, youre supposed to approach it from the point of view of where the piece would have been touched by years of love and use. I would think the paint would have to be thinned and the tip would have to be large, but have you tried it, and if so, did you get good results?Thanks! So I'm curious about your above recipe for Chalk paint. thank you for your help. So please understand that Im in no way trying to change your mind about a product you love. But faux distressed furniture which can be spotted so easily irks me to no end. Wood purists generally have some of the ugliest houses Ive ever seen. I dont use chalk paint either. Because I dont want to hurt anyones feelings, I wont show an example from a blogger. What brand and color is that green paint you used on your credenza and shelf? I love chalk paint! Oh and Im not middle class, I use both or more than one kind of paint and I mix up this worn look with solid color also . I made this paint to create a fun chalkboard wall for a design competition I was in, and it worked really well. And Im glad to know there are more out there (like me!) Consider me done with crafting and painting. How to Use a Heat Press on Polyester Bags, How to Put Heat Transfer Vinyl on Wood Ornaments, DIY 3D Printed Interchangeable Mickey Ears, Unfinished wooden tray, I purchased mine at Michaels, folkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint, Parisian Grey. It not only looks chalky but lacks the depth that regular paint and glazes can achieve. But you can certainly use a semi-gloss or high gloss if you want it shiny. I just looked sloppy. Here is the link: http://www.diybeautify.com/2014/03/chalkpaint101andchalkpaintcompanies.htmlPlease read this first and then if you still have questions, I'll be happy to give you more specific details! Find out which ones deliver the I also like latex. I went to that brands website to look at their recommendations, and you know what? I dont like chalk paint or the shabby chic look either. Thank you for the heads up. Loving the information on this web site , you have done great job on the content . I too think the same thing why would you hide this ???. As an Amazon Associate, this blog earns from qualifying purchases. I'm new to chalk painting, but have used Dixie Bell Paint,it levels nice so far very happy with it. Those last two are best to achieve the professional outcomes of oil without the mess and horrible smells! I had to shellac a lot. According to them one should let the wax cure for 30 days before really using the piece of furniture. Even in her orange piece in this article, it doesnt have a smooth coverage.Wont try it again. After doing further research on a painting/DIY FB group I belong to, I discovered that others have had this same problem with Amy Howard chalk paint as well and is the very reason why others refuse to use it. I did experiment using Minwax paste wax and using polyurethane over chalk paint. Im new to doing all of this and need to get it right the first time as I plan to paint oak dining chairs. I sanded the surface as best I could and wiped with a de-glosser, but then used an adhesive primer (mine was from Sherwin Williams). I have a technique I want to do on the bar stools- combo of stain and paint and Im still at the point of anguishing over color, price, durability kind of thing. And I like your post Its a shame you have to keep reiterating its your opinion as to not offend people!! I decided to be frugal and combine the two. So, long story shortI have spent far too many hours and far too much money on chalk paint on my kitchen cabinets. And you can lightly tint the poly with paint or water based stains. I also dont get the shabby chic thingit really is just shabby unless it hangs on a wall as art or the like, or is actually old and worn beautifullylike a dining table made from recycled barn wood. Stir really well and if you want it thinner just a teaspoon of water at a time till its like you want it. If you dont like that look, then simply get a coat of clear polyurethane and brush over the paint. So funny! !There are different strokes for different folks!!! Decent coverage?3. A quick sanding, primer & three coats of paint & it looks fresh & clean. I paint a bench at a hair salon over 7 years ago with satin latex paint. (I do happen to like distressing alittle, but not a ton) but I HATE the waxing part of it. I am trying to redo kitchen cabinets that are particle board and need something that can really bond well. If real old items of furniture could talk they could tell us a lot of real stories.I wonder what faux distressed stuff could tell us. Using the white chalk paint, lightly coat the stencil and then let it sit for about fifteen or twenty minutes. How do you remove chalk paint? The idiots are people like me who think they can paint with chalk paint. Thanks for writing this, it cleared up a lot of the things I was thinking about concerning chalk paint. Of course. 1 day job took almost a week and in the end I have a piece of furniture everyone thinks it needs painting! . Thank you. Any time I paint a piece of furniture and show it on my blog and/or Facebook page, I get a whole slew of people asking, Why didnt you use Chalk Paint?! As for the whole having to wax on top of all the work up to thenpass, thanks. Ive never used it. I want a chalkboard in every room. The cabinets are a partical board with some type of faux paper oak! Its a lovely aqua colour and I threw in a bit [], [] the same thing. Its often used to create a Shabby Chic look. Before I forget.. I also get really growly when I see stuff that is faux distressed, because obviously the person has never USED furniture. Also, how do you tint the poly it seems all the polyurethane I see is a wood stain. But its sad in this social world that people take offense or get so defensive so quickly!! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); COPYRIGHT 2022 SIMPLY MADE FUN TCA MEDIA, LLC. Best regards, Michele. You have convinced me not to try chalk paint, for my next project. Well, you know what, I like wood grain, so I wouldnt want to be painting stuff AT ALL with anything. How did the calcium carbonate work? I think what might attract some people to chalk paint is that it doesnt seem as scary if youve never painted furniture before. I had to repaint the latex. Yah, Im that old. I was starting to think I was the only one who wasnt a fan of chalk paint. )It seems you cant turn on a home-improvement show these days without hearing the word matte). . Thanks Lucy, I just tried Blackberry House Paint for the first time; it's a local company (based out of Murfreesboro TN). However, a recent search for metallic stencil paint took me in to a local shop that stocked a product Id found online. It never matters if you bump into or hit something when you are vacuuming, etc, lol. I pride myself on doing the best I can, to learn as much as possible, so I can pass on the best information to my customers. I have used FAT, Van Gogh, Annie Sloan and Fusion. I love the way your desk looked after you painted it nicely. Thanks for posting this. BTW, LOVE your living room. 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 have a couple pieces needing to be refinished, my dog loves to walk on my tables and has left a couple deep scratches about 3 long. I tried to distress my dish cabinetand it looked exactly like it fell off the back of our truck! I think Im going to sand it and use latex. I have a friend that makes her own glaze by using mineral spirits and a tube of burnt ochre (I think) from the craft store. Love your post. There was nothing amazing about the durability that I could see. ), Hi and Thanks so much for taking time to respond and sharing.It was VERY HELPFUL! Sand well and repair any deep scratches (Bondo or liquid steel works great!) What?! I am ranting now! Im an equal opportunity painter I guess. Of course once someone tried it, they found out it wasnt what they expected. Ebony being one of them. My chalk painted desk looks okay but clearly wont stand a lot of wear and tear. Being a rebel, I dont care what others think about anything that I do. Never again. That dresser you showed is exactly her style and what she posts about loving. I learned a lot more in person with a good instructor, than I ever could have watching how-to videos. I would love to get any ideas or thoughts. Now that I have read your post, I will probably never try it. Not too shiny, not too dull. Well said. I think I will post it on my page to explain to my clients why chalk paint is the devils paint . Im not offended- I have used and love the Chalk Paint look- but not the fancy stuff- the plaster of paris and paint sample kind. I restore pieces to original and am not interested in painting furniture. The other day I saw a ladder back armchair with a rush seat in a thrift store, painted PINK. My commissions now take 24 hours and not 72+, which means I can get more done. I kind of like the distressed look, but I think there may well be better ways of getting it and after this was sanded down the wood had its own beauty. (Remember milk paint?) I decided to put a light stencil pattern on the fronts of the drawers to help hide the unevenness of the color. After reading your article Im glad I decided to go with re-varnishing instead. FYI for chalk/wax lovers you can buy a set of 3 brushes on ebay for about 15, the only differences rashly is they havent had brand name added to Handles yet, the rest is what we pay for a brand! I want used look, not trashy look! I think chalk paint is for people who want a miracle diet pill without exercise & diet! I have painted a wooden plaque using chalk paint but can't find a pen that will write on it easily. Although it may not require sealing, like chalk paint, latex paint alone is not tough enough to stand up to serious wear and tear. Not everything has to be chippy. thanks Kristi for claryfing the difference of the paints, that is very instructive! Thank you so much for writing this article. So many gorgeous dining sets ruined. Found your info looking for valid reasons to bash chalk paint as a reliable finish. I disliked the grainy-ness. . Sheesh! First, I made a flush mount glass bubble chandelier to go, Its not often that youll see colorless pictu, Just my bright, sun-filled living room after dark, Water stains bleeding through Chalk Paint, via The Purple Painted Lady, when you should prep your piece with shellac before painting with Chalk Paint, How To Paint Cabinets (Or Furniture) With A Brush And Get A Near-Perfect Finish, The Best Paint Sprayer For Kitchen Cabinets and Furniture (Plus Tips On Getting A Beautiful Finish), My Finished Credenza Makeover (Before & After), Music Room Progress (and Whats Left To Do), The Post Where I Reveal Too Much About Myself (and a bit of kitchen progress), https://poshpennies.com/how-to-paint-ikea-furniture-guide/, http://images.craigslist.org/00T0T_cErd5AjsOIj_600x450.jpg, http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/fuo/5055311826.html, http://relaxingspace.com/how-to-remove-chalk-paint/, http://p.globalsources.com/IMAGES/PDT/BIG/114/B1149382114.jpg. This post is hilarious! After adding the layer of wax I set the tray aside for 24 hours before pulling it out to use it. It is streaked and I have used 3 coats. If you use a quality paint, you really dont need to topcoat it with anything like wax. This was a well written article and covers pretty much most of the reasons why I dont prefer to use it either. Okay, but thats a side story just to get to the whole durability issue. In other words, Id probably think your taste sucks as well. (Three kids has been a challenge so far, let me tell ya!). BUT my clients love it, and I love using it. Good luck! My mother antiqued furniture for many years back in the 60s and 70s with paint and a small can of stain. I am glad I finally have someone who agrees with me! Although quite a few of my favorite bloggers tout the wonders of ASCP and love to show what they can create with it, I always wonder, are these pieces actually being used for anything beyond a photo shoot? To start, do I need to just clean the dresser? That is an unfortunate name, especially considering the supposed copycats that have appeared on the market in recent years. I couldnt find it (your post was too popular!!) You have a wonderful way of explaining things when teaching and giving information in general. I really like them. So why in Gods name would I would to paint and then beat, scrape, scratch, dent, wire brush, and rough sand these precious pieces of history? NO MORE CHALKPAINT!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!! I think perhaps its a combination of the old orangy stain and perhaps a smoker who lived in house a long time before we bought it. Product went on super smoothly (and no, I do not work for Annie Sloan The paint did not smell. Two coats. It is awful patchy, brush marks everywhere and has a horrible gritty feel. It is actually quite amazing. I'm not sure! And yes, I always use oil-based Zinsser Cover Stain on furniture, cabinets, trim, etc. Im a neophyte when it comes to crafting & painting of furniture items. I appreciate your candor. I haven't tried it on any other surface, but from my research it won't stick to other surfaces quite as well as the DIY chalk paint recipe. Whether it is possible to use a small project spray gun with any chalky paint. Thank you!! I would paint over it but I desire the wood below and the calk paint has taken out all the carved details too. Haha! Let me start by saying that I am not at all offended by your article. On most pieces one coat has been plenty. It makes me so happy. Must order online from Amazon or order through Lowes or Home Depot. Really? I hope this helps answer some of the questions you may have about DIY chalk and chalkboard paint! 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? My sister swears by chalk paint but I, as you, fail to see how it is so much better than regular paint. Thanks a lot for sharing this useful and helpful information! Thank you for your informative writing, I have a better understanding of the process now. Thanks again for helping me find focus! 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 would like to whack the people who say any idiot can paint furniture with chalk paint. Ugh. Thank you for your post. Some blogs Ive read recommend that you wipe down the wood with rubbing alcohol before you sand, I think this is silly because the sanding will remove the prior yuck. I use all different types of paint. Biggest con prepare for a little arm workout with the waxing and buffing (buffing if you only want shine). This rubbish about no prep, just slap on a chalky paint makes me laugh. Is there a certain brand you like to use? So sorry youre having to undo and redo. I just did my kitchen cabs with AS chalk paint and was wondering about a clear coat. Its sad to me that you had to use so many disclaimers, and couldnt just state your own opinion on your own blog for fear of backlash. I then looked at the cans of paint, the beautiful colors, the brushes, the classes, the wax, the whole ball of wax. Thanks! Friends! I see hideous items painted and distressed and selling for like $400 That depends on what the door is made of, and the climate where you live. Thank you for a very clearly written and informative article. But as I worked on a few things I noticed things I did not like and I am drawn to distressing to highlight details on a piece, and I like washes over a base coat for a dyanamic but woozy sort of look. Yes it always improves bonding to sand first. Im so glad I found this post and I appreciate your honesty. Orbital sander? I have a core base of customers and their friends who I have been able to convert away from this overpriced ripoff. The CC results in a smoother paint, while the POP keeps it from being too runny. That said, I have a china cabinet that is painted in chalk paint (it was given to me like that) and I dont like the dull, flat finish, so it will have to have something done if it thinks its going to stay here. And now I dont feel guilty for loving latex paint. I done a lot of reading about chalk paint before making a decision. Im broke. Used flocked red paper to line the drawers. Thank you so much ! I love antiques and old things and have many pieces that are genuinely distressed by age and a few even have chippy paint, but theyre real old not fake old. While I know you are not trying to change anyones minds, i.e., you really dont want to hear any contrary arguments, there are a few things that I think are incorrect or that you arent aware of. However, I do have one question for you: after you paint with latex and then sand for distressing, do you seal your furniture with polyurethane? The stenciled table below was painted with Americana Decor Chalky Paint in 'Treasure'. But Im not well-versed enough to know the steps to fix it up using latex paint. Easy peasy one day if work, sanding optional! . I just finished a little bookshelf, then stained it with Mission Oak Minwax stain + polyurethane in one. Good post. When something sounds too good to be true . Its all the thoughts I was thinking. Im always looking for others techniques for painting. One $12 Purdy brush, if taken care of, will last for years and years and years. I have tried normal furniture paint and chalk paint and thought it was just me! Thank you!! Terrific article. And painting over a super smooth surface like that using paint with paint conditioner (I use Floetrol for latex and Penetrol for oil-based paints) added will ensure that I get the best possible outcome as close to a sprayed finish as possible using a paint brush. 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 decided right there and then, it would have to be a very special piece that would have me going to the expense & time it would take for me to do it. They wont sell sitting on the front porch and I want to have some fun painting furniture again! I went to another store and ended up with a semi-gloss Varathane Crystal Clear Polyurethane in a spray can which they used mostly to spray the drawer fronts and I am very happy with the final product. Get that old gunk off! Thanks for posting this! Chalk paint has been around long before Annie Sloan, lol how do you think she found out about it? My cabinets have wood doors and front frames but the sides are made of a plastic like(melamine) material. ou can see what this table looked like before I painted it by clicking here. I prefer latex paint as will and I prefer the flat. I have been painting furniture now for sometime & I completely agree that point blank you need to sand whether you are refinishing for staining or paint. Works great, and I dont have a stroke when I accidentally leave the lid off and it dries up and is ruined. She saw the bureau and knew what color I had chosen. I was told that white vinegar and water removes the wax. People go a little too far with the distressed look these days. Basically, I dont understand the affinity for this trend either. Careful Kristi, you might have a lawyer with a British accent calling you soon ; ) I dont love chalk paint, but I dont hate it. Any rules of thumb or thoughts about tt? Maybe thats why they keep thinking your stuff is chalk painted? Thank you so much for all of your help! , And again, if you use and love Chalk Paint, I think thats fantastic. . Our entire house, well almost. Whew! Thank you so much! Always open to a suggested less-expensive alternative! Wasnt impressed. And as for shabby chic dont get me started! I like the idea that I can pick whatever color I want and mix the powder in! Have you any experience or knowledge of this? Milk paint was even harder for me to use and while I love the look, again, its not for me. Ohhhh You are Soooo Funny. I would appreciate hearing what you disliked about the Chalked Paintwas it the adhesion? J. I remember an heirloom oak table that I have now passed on to my oldest daughter. Can we still be friends? It has almost no smell, comes in different sheens, and is half the price of ASCP. And to really save money, most of my paints are bought from the mis-mixed section of the stores. THEN you wax it with any wood wax from the hardware store. I have always used satin finish paint that lasts for years. I hope someone else sees sees your comments and will have the answer for you. I guess with my tight wad frugalness Ill stick with latex paint. Such a cute tray & would even make a great gift for a coffee lover. 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. Kitchen cabinets get a lot of use so you'll want to seal the paint with several coats of a non-yellowing top coat. Your post gave me a little chuckle regarding the chippy & overly distressed dresser. Whenever my hubby sees furniture that has been done that way or worn through the ages he says, And that is why I go to work everyday, so we dont have to have furniture that looks like that!. but what latex paint do you recommend? $150 to paint a bookcase. Great piece! And it sounds like it might be! To have that texture against my skin every day would pretty much be my waking nightmare. I agree latex is great but those looking for less toxic options there you have it! ~:), I hear ya! I would not use chalk paint on nice wood but for pressed wood items it works great. (Smaller pieces are boxes and smaller wooden pieces). A little tiny bit of distressing is fine for me (and I do mean tinyas in, just on the very raised parts where natural wear would occur, and even then, just a very small amount of distressing), and this is a look I can very easily achieve with latex paint. Antique Avocado Green, Acapulco Gold, and Old White were the offerings and it was to be seen everywhere and on anything given that somebody thought they were furniture re-finisher whod then take a stab at it and today you see these ghastly aberrations in antique shops. I enjoyed reading your article. Id love to have that piece of furniture you showed from Overstock, because it has a gorgeous shape but Id have to get it home and paint it to make it look nice. And you are so right about the expense. I dont agree. This comment has been removed by the author. I agree, and I know Im late to the party here, but Ive used both types of paint, and 100% agree with the fact that a quart of ASCP will go farther than a quart of latex. Most of these amateurs are finding cheap bad pieces by the side of the road and then tarting them up. Like I said, I have been painting furniture, selling it for 15+ yearsI know paint. So here are my reasons: Chalk Paint costs around $40 for a quart of paint (yesa quart!). So, if anyone likes to repaint their furniture every few years (like me), I would stay clear of wax. It also sands very well, which makes it a prime candidate for finishing pieces that you want to distress. It is highly pigmented, which allows for that, but it will stick to everything, so wear disposable gloves and use a container to paint out of that you can toss out. Just because most chalk paints are labeled as no prep required, you can certainly sand before painting. . Im on my second coat of the inside of the bookcase and quite disappointed at the bread through. My bad, I new that but I went ahead anyway. We do! Thank You for this Post and all the giggles you provided me along the way. Distressing that happens naturally happens around the edges/corners and at the pulls places that get touched or bumped or whacked. I practically SCREAMED when I saw this blog post THANK YOU. i like the painted and glazed look with light distressing as I enjoy vintage painted furniture mixed in with my antique furniture (otherwise too much brown everywhere!) I personally think sanding after stripping is a nightmare thank god for the paints on the market today, we have some great choices out there. Wondering what you think about:1. the house brand at Lowe's and ACE: Valspar Chalky Finish Paint. They are number one stunning!!! The price of those paints are not budget friendly. This traywas so simple and it makes me wonder why I always tend to put these types of projects on the back burner. Not as easy as the marketing makes it seem. Then you can use oil or latex over the top. 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. Also, what is the finish? I read this after using chalk paint for the first time. Ive been mulling over the chalk paint issue myself, but couldnt get past the huge investment. An orange peel finish sounds like roller stipple not brush marks. It's fabulous. ! However, after I paint something, it is incredibly hard for me to distress it!!!! What can I do to remove the paint and refinish the wood in a nice wooden dark cherry finish? My daughter did it. Ive been paint furniture for 15 years now, and have never like the chalk paint boom. Get a life and learn what paint is all about! And I had to wax. The way Ive chosen Ill need probably 3 coats of varnish and itll be finished tomorrow. I so appreciate this article. It's got a rougher finish but a light sanding makes it smooth. I do the same I make my own and love it! Thank you! Besides I do not like sanding at all. They were abandoned in an empty house with a leaking roof and are in serious need of tlc. I have never done anything like this before. PS Fortunately I have the satifaction of gettin my oak countertop to a supreme condition after loads of sanding! I share many of the same feelings on this product. Even if you try to buff or sand the wax out, you will just end up pushing it deeper into the wood grain and youll never be able to get another finish to adhere to it in the future! ASAP on the reply would be great. This is the process I use to paint cabinets and furniture: https://www.addicted2decorating.com/how-to-paint-cabinets-with-a-paint-brush-and-get-a-near-perfect-finish.html. I often wonder if the shabby look will be around much longer. Once I get in the new house that furniture is coming out! Thanks for explaining all that. I love prepping my project before painting. Thanks for this assessment. Great compilation Cindy! Thank you! These features are exactly why I want to try ASCP. Im most a big fan of heavily distressed furniture. The tape was on for 15 minutes and when I took it off, the chalk paint came off in a spotty mess.
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