What is chalk paint and why choose it instead of regular acrylic paint

  4 answers
  • Too14536075 Too14536075 on Jun 02, 2017

    Anne chalk paint is just what it says it is paint you can use chalk on it to write just like a chalk board so only reason to choose it is if you want to write on it. I use it on the inside of my kitchen cabinets and jot down grocery list or appointments etc... great if you have kids use it on a wall that you may want to maybe put reminders for them or a chore list. Happy painting..

  • Dysko7710 Dysko7710 on Jun 02, 2017

    Chalk paint is different than chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint is the kind you can write on. Chalk paint you cannot write on. It is a special kind of paint that adheres to surfaces so that you do not need to sand. You can just clean the surface and paint. It is thicker than acrylic and is wonderful to paint over hard to paint surfaces that regular paint would not adhere to.

  • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Jun 03, 2017

    Dysko is correct to say chalk paint is different than chalkboard paint. Chalk paint can be purchased ready made and Annie Sloan seems to be the most popular but there are many other brands used. You can however, make your own chalk paint by taking any acrylic paint and adding a number of different additives to convert the acrylic paint to chalk paint. Plaster of Paris (PoP), calcium carbonate, crushed marble dust, and even baking soda. PoP is probably the most popular. There are a number of different recipes out there and here on Hometalk.


    While it is not generally used on walls, except perhaps a wood paneled wall, it is mostly used on furniture, kitchen cabinets, and various art projects. The biggest advantage is that it requires little or no sanding or prep time, except to have a clean service. I use those small containers of "sample paint containers", mix the additive into a paste until there are no lumps and then add to the paint. I've never really used it for large projects. Some crafters have experienced clumping. I suspect the PoP is beginning to harden either because the container is left open or too much PoP has been added. Chalk paint is generally finished off with a wax product but NOT a polyurethane.


    The advantage to home made chalk paint is that it is so much less expensive than the ready made. There are many many projects here on Hometalk using chalk paint if you are looking for inspiration and/or the recipes.

  • Linda Beam Linda Beam on Jun 05, 2017

    I purchased a night stand at an estate sale. It was in fair shape except for a few chips in the finish. In the past, I had refinished many items, sanding down etc. When I restored this night stand, I didn't sand, just made sure the surface was free of dust, painted it according to the chalk paint instructions.

    That was many years ago and the night stand still looks great. The chips in the finish are not noticeable. Just protect the item as you would any wood finish. Chalk paint involves less labor if the item needs sanding. If you like an antique, "little worn look" with just a little work - Chalk paint is the way to go