Paint
by
Delores M
+15
Just a thought, but can anyone explain the desirable qualities of "chalk paint" (ESPECIALLY Annie Sloane brand) that appears to be the ONLY paint anyone is using anymore, or is it just the latest fad?
15 answers
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I think it is a fad, it too shall pass. getting back to what wood is supposed to look like will stay. I do admit, I make my own and it does go one without sanding and covers very nicely!
Patricia W
on Nov 15, 2013
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I like it. Chalk paint, milk paint, all sorts of paint have been around since the beginning of time. I have made these paints from the old recipes with lime and pigment, milk paint, milk, vinegar and pigment. Making paint Anne Sloan has made it popular again. Some of her recipes are ancient she is a artist that has taken this a step further and simplified it. Pick up her books, make your own it is a beautiful way to create.
Sherrie
on Nov 15, 2013
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Thank you for the suggestions but this doesn't answer my question because I still don't know -- what makes this paint so popular?
Delores M
on Nov 16, 2013
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Probably the biggest drawing card for chalk paint is they say you can skip the sanding and priming, which is normally advised for traditional paint like latex. Even with no up front preparation, chalk paint is suppose to stick to anything. But... even though you are saving time at the beginning of the project by not having to do any prep work, there is a step at the end that, to me, is worse than sanding and priming, and that is waxing. The chalk paint dries with a very flat, matte finish and it needs to be sealed to protect it, as well as give some luster and depth to the matte finish. Waxing is what the chalk paint companies recommend (although some people use a top coat like polyurethane) and the chalk paint companies sell the wax to use in conjunction with their chalk paint. Now, in all fairness, I have not personally tried commercially made chalk paint (tried a homemade recipe and didn't like it) but I have read a lot about Annie Sloan and seen tons of projects done with it on blogs and Pinterest. Maybe if I tried it I would love it and have to eat my words but from everything I have read, for me the downsides to chalk paint are the outrageous price, limited colors and the biggie...waxing. I would rather do the prep work up front rather than spend all the time and effort waxing.
Shari
on Nov 16, 2013
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I'm personally no a fan of the AS chalk paint. I ended up using another paint after I was disappointed with it. I think the biggest attraction is the low prep required. I sanded my finish first, wiped it down with a damp microfiber cloth and when it was completely dry, found that after the expense and hype of the AS paint, I didn't like the look at all. So pulled out paint I had leftover that I used for my bathroom cabinets, repainted the dresser and loved it. I am now trying, for my next project a chalk paint made by the American Chalk Paint company. I love the look some people accomplish with the painted furniture. I also love wood in a stained finish, so will attempt to combine the two looks.
Cynthia H
on Nov 16, 2013
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I can vouch for Annie Sloan's paint - it's all I've used for the last 2 years - and has never disappointed. Beautiful satin like finish when used properly - and the colors are gorgeous - but the biggest plus is no prep work at all - just a quick wash ( and no odor - you can paint inside )
Simply Vintageous...by Suzan
on Nov 17, 2013
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You asked why. It can update a piece, make it look old, everyone can use it because they have DIY recipes, it give you a artistic expression. Many of us can't afford old chippy pieces for sale, but we can paint our way to make one look like it. I don't agree with not preparing a piece and slapping the paint on I always prepare a piece because I want it to stay. I also use it to help my favorite charity to raise money. They give me their piece and I use CeCe's paint and they will raise more money for Christmas this year. It will also sell better and get more money. Win win!
Sherrie
on Nov 17, 2013
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I got on the AS fan wagon for a minute...I was thinking about painting everything with it. I have now scaled back...but, I think the draw is that you don't have the prep work (and that's big for those of us that have always heard that prep is everything)...and the waxing does provide an aging quality. However, I was aging things years ago on painted surfaces with stain and glaze. I use to watch Christopher Lowell on cable TV...I learned so much from his show.
V Valencia
on Nov 17, 2013
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Chalk paint needs little prep and the finish looks antique. AS is much too expensive. Find a recipe and make your own.
WilliamShreve
on Nov 17, 2013
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@V Valencia Your comment was a "blast from the past" for me! It brought back a lot of memories. As a newlywed in the 1970s, I painted and glazed a used dining room set for our first apartment, although back then the glazing technique was called "antiquing." I grew to hate that look because it looked dirty to me. The chalk paint with dark wax reminds me of that old antiquing technique. Since I've "been there/done that" look in the 70s, I have no desire to do it again. And I used to never miss Christopher Lowell's show. Loved his style! Lynette Jennings was another favorite of mine.
Shari
on Nov 17, 2013
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Okay, after all the negative things I've said about how chalk paint didn't appeal to me because of the required waxing step, I've decided to try Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint, which also requires waxing. A Tampa distributor of MMSMP (Robyn Story Designs) has sample size packages of milk paint for $6.00 (which is considerably less expensive than AS chalk paint samples) and free shipping for a limited time on milk paint products. I just ordered samples in 3 colors, a small bottle of bonding agent (because I don't like chippy), and the clear wax for a total of about $56.00. (They offer the dark and white wax in small sizes but unfortunately it appears the clear wax only comes in a large can.) I'm probably only about 30 minutes away from Robyn Story Designs so I could actually drive there but it was really the lure of having it delivered to my door for free that sucked me in to trying it. We'll see how this goes... Can't wait to see if I'll end up being a lover or hater of this type of paint after all the furniture painting I've done with latex paint and an airless sprayer. :)
Shari
on Nov 17, 2013
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Hello @Shari, you are so right...antiquing! I loved Lynette Jennings, Joan Steffend and Carole Duvall. I miss those shows compared to what we have today on HGTV. I developed a love for DIY and learned so much from those shows. I went out and bought Annie Sloane paint, waxes and brushes reading how wonderful it was and realized we used to get the same look with glaze mixes....I used AS on an architectural piece that was antique gold and the AS paint sorta took on a greenish tone. I was disappointed with how the piece came out so, that's why I am rethinking how I use it going forward.
V Valencia
on Nov 17, 2013
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I use Cece Caldwell paints and I love them. There are several reasons I like this paint. 1. Not a lot of prep work 2. You can distress your paint using only a wet cloth. 3. A lot of color choices + you can custom mix colors. 4. several options to finish - wax (dark and clear) Satin finish - endurance finish if it is a piece that will get a lot of use ex. table top etc. If you try it you will be hooked. Yes they are a little expensive but you will be surprised how far the paint will go. A good place to check it out is shizzledesign.com - I love their work and they have a lot of useful videos that will answer any questions you may have.
Angie
on Nov 18, 2013
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I am a newbie to ASCP, and have fallen in love! Yes, the lack of prep was a plus- but there is more to like than that. I love the silky feel that it has after waxed. ASCP is not about distressing and antiquing. If you like a fresh finish, do not sand and use the clear wax. It can be used on any surface- this week end I painted a worn out metal stool I found at the second hand store, and I loved the way it turned out. Next project....changing my builder grade kitchen cupboards to a custom kitchen look. If anyone has words of advise on that I'd love to hear it! I am told that ASCP really holds up to the high traffic use.
MittenKitten
on Nov 18, 2013
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Learned a lot reading through the post, so thanks guys. I am looking forward to making my own chalk paint. I found many recipes on line. I also ordered some Minwax dark finishing wax from Amazon.com. I know it won't be in my small town. I am painting out my entire kitchen including furniture so something will be done with the chalk paint for sure! Now to look for an old metal stool at my local thrift store, MittenKitten. Picture is the colors I am using along with a lighter version of the beige for the walls...some of that is used on that metal work and on the back of the shelve unit where I stick often used ingredients near the stove. Recipe used: 1 coat of Zinsser primer, 3 coats of latex paint, some use of antique glaze and at least two coats of poly. Slow going for sure in our rainy winter weather.
Karen Rossman Clark
on Feb 17, 2014
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