Why won't my cabinets take chalk paint

Sheena
by Sheena
I've bought the Annie Sloan brand chalk paint and I was under the impression that it sticks to anything but this is not, it's coming right off.
Chalk paint is scratching off my cabinets. I thought it was supposed to stick to anything with no priming any help!
  15 answers
  • Rustic Owl Treasures Rustic Owl Treasures on May 12, 2015
    did you wash them off before you started painting? it could have like grease or oil on it. it could be why its coming off.
    • See 1 previous
    • Rustic Owl Treasures Rustic Owl Treasures on May 13, 2015
      @Sheena Ive used it alot and it always stuck just take some sandpaper and rough it up a bit and that should do it. you dont have to sand it all off just enough to rough it up for the paint to stick.
  • Sherre M Sherre M on May 12, 2015
    Try cleaning with vinegar, water & a few drops of BLUE DAWN dishing soap, mix all three ingredients together in a spray bottle & clean & then clean again, let dry & try again. Good Luck !!!
  • Kathleen Kathleen on May 13, 2015
    I have found that you must always make sure your piece is clean and, and when you are painting a surface tha has any type of shine to it you Must at least scuff sand it for the paint to adhere. The only surface I have ever had a pronlem with was a kitchen table that seems to match your cabinets perfectly. Wouldn't it be nice if the warned you about this before you poured your heart and soul into it. You can check with your stockist or check on fCebook for a chalkpaint group. Youtube videos are great too. Sorry you had to find out the hard way like me.
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on May 13, 2015
    I have to agree with the comments above. I have been using all types of chalk paint and have discovered that the one most important step is the prep. The pieces must be free of dust, dirt, oils and grease before you paint with any product. Also, if the finish is glossy or has a shine, I have found that scuffing it with some steel wool prior to beginning works great. Sorry to say that it looks like you will need to sand them down and begin again.
    • See 1 previous
    • Rustic Owl Treasures Rustic Owl Treasures on May 17, 2015
      @Sue@CountryDesignHome I've actually painted something with chalk paint that had dust on it i just slapped it on and it did fine it didn't do anything to it. but if the piece is has a major coat of lacquer on it and is slick then it might not stick well. You do not usually have to prep or sand with chalk paint and i have done many pieces where i didn't have to anything at all but paint it then i sanded after to distress it.
  • Jeanie Owens Haby Jeanie Owens Haby on May 13, 2015
    I don't think it will stick to lacquered cabinets or wood looking laminate. I would sand them lightly first. I was told it wouldn't stick to Ikea pieces either, but I haven't tried that yet.
    • Nancy Nancy on May 13, 2015
      @Jeanie Owens Haby Yes it will stick to Ikea pieces, just rough it up a bit...
  • B. Enne B. Enne on May 13, 2015
    I used steel wool and liquid sandpaper on my cupboards before gel staining them. I only rubbed them lightly as if cleaning. There was varnish and laquer on some spots, grease and dirt form the previous owner. I then wiped them down with a damp cloth and let them dry. Maybe that would work for you.
  • The Rozy Home The Rozy Home on May 13, 2015
    You are probably going to need to sand them down a bit. Lacquer is too slick of a substance for the chalk paint to attach to.
    • Barbara Barbara on May 13, 2015
      @The Rozy Home I agree. I just refinished a 'laminate' bookcase and I HAD to sand a little to take off some of the shiny surface. Paint held fast afterward.
  • Patty G Patty G on May 13, 2015
    Not sure but doesn't waxing sort of seal the paint?
  • Patty G Patty G on May 13, 2015
    Not sure but doesn't waxing sort of seal the paint?
  • MB MB on May 13, 2015
    I took a class on cabinet painting from an Annie Sloan dealer. The product they recommend for cleaning the cabinets is called TSP. It easy to find at Home Depot.
  • Deb Deb on May 13, 2015
    Ok I do a lot of Anne Sloan painting, never had that problem , I always clean, you need to make sure to get any greese off of kitchen cabinets, and you have to put the wax on them when you're finished painting.Then let the wax dry for two weeks. The wax seals the paint.
  • Diane Skursky Diane Skursky on May 13, 2015
    Wil-Bond is a liquid surface preparer found @ stores that sell Benjamin Moore paints. No sanding, just makes the surface ready for paint preparation. You wipe it on with a rag or steel wool, depending on the finish you have on your piece.
    • Sheena Sheena on May 13, 2015
      Thanks diane I'v used wil-bond before and had good luck with it. May get an oil based primer also.
  • Diane Skursky Diane Skursky on May 13, 2015
    Also, when using chalk paint, you either need to wax the finished product (recommended) or use poly to protect the paint, especially on high traffic pieces or things that are used daily. Hope this helps. good luck.
  • Slgibbs1 Slgibbs1 on Jun 08, 2015
    I have found the number one reason paint won't stick is poor surface prep. I scrub everything with Greased Lightening and never had an issue. Also, the dollar store sells something called "awesome" and it works almost as well for a buck. Try this before buying expensive primer
    • Julie Moyna Julie Moyna on Jul 16, 2015
      Awesome is great but should be diluted on older pieces. American Paint Company makes a great prep wash that is tough enough for wood but gentle yet effective for cleaning brushes...