What is chalk paint?

Chalk paint has been trending over the past few years, especially on sites like Pinterest! What makes chalk paint different from regular paint? How does it look? What do house painters in Milton use it for?

Chalk paint is known for it’s matte, soft finish. It almost looks like the newly painted surface has a dusting of chalk over it. Or that it is coloured with chalk itself. The paint itself is thick, easy to work with, and is latex based. That also means it’s easier to clean up after a big paint job. One of the best things about chalk paint is that it will stick to just about any surface with very little, if any, prep work done to the surface. 

Who came up with the idea of chalk paint?

There is a trademarked company that is called “Chalk Paint”. The chalk paint product was created by a woman named Annie Sloan back in 1990. Sloan wanted a paint that was easy to work with, that required minimal preparation, and a quick clean up. She couldn’t find a type of paint on the market that met her needs, so she invented one. 

Sloan created chalk paint products without any black pigment. The lack of this pigment allows DIYers, and house painters in Milton, to mix it without it looking dull. 

Does chalk paint have anything to do with chalkboards?

Confusing chalk paint with chalkboard paint is pretty common. However, the two products are very different and have very different uses. Chalkboard paint is a special paint that, once applied, can turn any surface into a working chalkboard. That means you can write and draw all over the wall with chalk and easily erase it. Chalk paint is not this. 

Chalk paint, as mentioned, is similar to normal wall paint. It just has a chalk-like finish and is typically used to repaint furniture. Make sure no one is drawing on your freshly painted wall if you’ve done so with chalk paint!

How is chalk paint used?

Furniture refinishing made chalk paint famous!

Chalk paint is used to paint any surface, but it’s most commonly used to paint furniture. As shabby-chic became a popular décor and design choice, chalk paint came into the spotlight. There was a market for furniture refinished with chalk paint. Since this type of paint requires little to no preparation of the surface, it made DIY furniture refinishing simple and fun. 

Chalk paint gives furniture a gently-aged look. For those wanting a distressed look, it allows for that too. Since it doesn’t require sanding to adhere to surfaces, those refinishing an ornate piece of furniture can go for the chalk paint look. It is forgiving, easily applied to unique surfaces and designs, and perfect for beginner DIYers. 

Chalk paint has many more applications!

Just because it’s a popular choice for furniture restoration, it is not limited to that. Chalk paint is versatile and is used on a wide range of surfaces. From wood, metal, drywall, and other surfaces, chalk paint will easily adhere with very little fuss. 

Chalk paint, in recent years, has made its way into kitchen design. It is used in some kitchen renovations for painting kitchen cabinets. Having two-toned cabinets, with either the lower or upper, or sometimes both, painted using chalk paint can give a kitchen a stunning look. If you’re going for that shabby-chic look, or even a country-style look, in your kitchen, painting kitchen cabinets with chalk paint is a great idea. 

How does chalk paint hold up over the years?

Chalk paint can be durable, but if your painted furniture or surface is seeing a lot of traffic, you might want to consider a sealer. Soft wax sealers are available on the market. It might require two or three coats for surfaces like the top of a well-used dining room table. It’s important to let the wax sealer completely cure and dry between coats. For accent furniture that are not used frequently, you can probably skip the sealer.

Some choose to use polyurethane or varnish to seal the paint. This can improve durability, but you could lose the lovely matte finish for which chalk paint is known. Not sure what kind of sealing or technique is best for your chalk paint project? You can find more tips and techniques on the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint website. 

Now, how much does chalk paint cost?

According to the official Annie Sloan chalk paint website, it can coast around $35 a quart. That amount will give you enough o refinish a dresser. There are other brands of chalk paint available that are more affordable and available in smaller portions. Check your local paint supply store for details. Because chalk paint is used most for refinishing furniture, it’s not common to find it sold in gallons or larger portions. 

Can I make chalk paint?

Yes! Keen DIYers can make their chalk paint. Beware, though, that homemade chalk paint might not be as durable as store-bought. Also, it might be difficult to get the colour just right, especially when comparing to a paint store’s paint colour chip. 

Here is a recipe we found online. To get started, you will need: 

  • Plastic buckets
  • Plastic measuring cups you don’t plan on resuing 
  • Plaster of Paris
  • Latex paint (flat)
  • Stir sticks
  • Paste wax
  • Water

Mix 1/3 cup of cool water with 1/3 cup of Plaster of Paris. Stir it until the mixture is completely smooth. Then mix that with 1 cup of your latex paint. Stir well. Done! 

This recipe will give you enough chalk paint to paint a single coat over a small dresser. Unfortunately, you can’t store or reuse homemade chalk paint, so make sure to make just as much as you will need for your project. You can make the recipe smaller or larger depending on your needs. 

Home painters in Milton can help!

Platinum Pro Painters are professional painters that offer a range of painting services. If you want to refinish a piece of furniture with chalk paint, but want a guaranteed professional result, count on Platinum Pro! We have a spray centre that is especially equipped for cabinet refinishing and furniture refinishing and can help you choose the paint colour that will best meet your design expectations.  

Painting the furniture you love is far more cost-effective compared to replacing it. Plus, the spray painting service gives you the option of choosing the exact colours and designs you want for your cabinets or furniture. It will be refinished by highly trained technicians in a state-of-the-art spray centre. Then returned to your home looking brand new!

Are you ready to paint? Contact Platinum Pro Painters for a quote today!

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