Is chalky paint any good?

Question

What are the pros and cons of chalky paint? What jobs/surfaces is it suitable for and why? Is it costly? Anything else I should know about this sort of paint ?

Claire · Answer

Depends on what you're painting, great on wood so if you're up cycling old furniture.
If you are decorating walls and ceiling it is designed for lime walls and old buildings that need to breath. 
Hope that helps Claire@G&M

Adam · Answer

Pro: No Prep Work
One of the most challenging parts of any painting project is the prep work. You have to sand, clean and prime most surfaces before you can even begin painting. That’s a lot of work. One of the reasons so many people love to use chalk paint is that there’s no prep work needed!

Chalk paint adheres to most surfaces clean and dry without sanding or priming. Very slick surfaces will still need a light sanding to give the chalk paint some grip. But you won’t have to worry about stripping away previous layers of paint before you begin.

Pro: Good Coverage
Chalk paint is much thicker than regular paint and, as a result, you often only need 1 or 2 coats to cover a piece thoroughly. A can also lasts a lot longer than other paints since you need less to cover the same area.

Con: The Cost
Not only does chalk paint cost slightly more than latex or acrylic paint, but it also requires sealing and special tools. To get the durable finish that chalk paint is popular for, it requires a protective topcoat. The topcoat requires a special wax brush and, because the paint is so thick, a stiffer paintbrush works better. That means you have the extra expense of a wax or sealant as well as special brushes.

Pro: It’s Water-Based
Chalk paint is water-based rather than acrylic or latex, which means it has low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and barely any smell. And if you happen to make a mistake, it’s very forgiving. Spills and drips wipe up easily, and if you get it somewhere you don’t want it, you can just wipe it off.

Pro AND Con: Dry Time
Although chalk paint feels dry to the touch within minutes, it actually takes a long time to dry between coats. The quick initial dry time is definitely a pro as it helps keep messes to a minimum. Since the paint dries as you work, you don’t end up with paint all over your hands when you move on to other areas.

But to really ensure strong adhesion and a good finish, you should wait 24 hours between coats. This means it can take days to get a piece to just the right color. And that doesn’t even take into account sealing it or allowing it time to cure.

Pro: Durability
Although there are a few extra steps, once chalk paint has had time to cure, it creates a very durable finish. As the wax topcoat dries, it hardens and provides a finish that is resistant to scuffs and

Dale · Answer

Chalky paint is ok if it's not on a high usage area as it can mark easily and isn't easy to wipe. Also in certain lights, it can look patchy particularly in areas where there is a lot of light. Hope this helps. Dale

Terry · Answer

Yes it is in fact its normally a good paint for the likes of furniture and it is great on wood work

John · Answer

You can make chalky paint by mixing silk and matt together50/50 ,no matter how much you use it will always be matt ,but it will be a chalky finish and durable and wipeable ,note it may take longer to dry between coats so let it fully dry before its next coat

Raman · Answer

You can use this paint on harsh kind of surfaces. It is not suitable for new plaster. it's not that much costly.

Tamoor · Answer

It is good because you can use it in kids' bedrooms so the kids can write their names on it! It's specialised paint that creates a chalkboard-like surface when painted onto walls or drawers.

Duane · Answer

Annie sloands chalk paint is good for old effects, and a chalky finish

Justin · Answer

Quick-drying, but very easily marked up and not hard wearing.

Matthew · Answer

Going to be using chalk paint my self for the first time soon until then I can’t help to much shop around tho for sure.

Is chalky paint any good?

Follow Us

Cookies

Manage Cookies

Essential cookies

Analytics & Tracking

Advertising