What is the difference between chalk paint & flat paint?

by BARB B

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what is the difference between chalk paint & flat paint?

5 answers

Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs) on Jun 01, 2014
Hi Barb, You're going to get a LOT of responses for this. As far as I know and have read (and experienced first-hand), chalk paint is any kind of paint that has an additive mixed into it to give it a gritty, matte finish and easy drying time. Many people use it because many times it negates the need for sanding a apiece and the finish allows for an easy time if you want to distress the wood. The finish is the opposite of glassy. Many people (me included) actually **make** their own chalk paint - which consists of latex paint of any color (you can use acrylic paint too), some water, and either plaster of paris, calcium carbonate or unsounded grout mixed into it. Now, flat paint is (usually) a latex paint that dries without a reflective finish - that's it - the finish is smoother (imho) than chalk paint. Chalk paint really dries quickly and it has a rough texture to it after it dries. Many people use wax or poly-acrylic sealant on top of their furniture piece to keep the paint from peeling. So there ya go, my best explanation. I am sure you'll get more in depth explanations, but I hope this helps a little. Be well!

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- Chris aka monkey on Jun 01, 2014
  @Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs) that is a fantastic explanation xx
  
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- Judi Parmer Todd on Jun 01, 2014
  @Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs) I have a question about chalk paint. I just bought some Plaster of Paris to make my own. Can you store it like other paint, in an air tight container? I thought I'd use cleaned Mayo jars, etc, and store them upside down so no air can get in. Thanks ahead of time :)
  
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- Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs) on Jun 02, 2014
  @Judi Parmer Todd Hi there. Well, it has been MY personal experience that chalk paint (unless you buy something like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint -- also abbreviated as ASCP -- which many, many, many DIYers **rave** about) does not exactly store well. I have researched it and even talked (via email) to a very popular and knowledgable blogger about it and she said that CP has a tendency to set up. Yes, you can store it in an airtight container but I have, for the last few months, been having serious problems with my chalk paint "seizing up." And no matter what I did (using different chalk paint recipes, i.e., using plaster of paris or calcium carbonate) the paint went from a thick soup to frosting to mud, sometimes right in front of my eyes! (I used it anyway... but it was like spreading frosting on a layer cake!) What I think is happening is that over the past few years, paint manufacturers are trying to get on the chalk paint bandwagon and making their latex paint lines somewhat unsuitable for DIY chalk paint creation --- they'll likely come out with their own lines of specialty chalk paint like CeCe Caldwell or Annie Sloan or Martha Stewart -- Even Joann's has a line out now. Call me crazy, but Sherwin Williams paint always seizes up on me when I use it as a homemade chalk paint base. I had an old can of it (well preserved) that I made CP with and it was fine - the newer recipe (so to speak) is different. Glidden and Behr work great for chalk paint right now, but I am wary of making big batches. I made some olive colored chalk paint with a Glidden sample a few weeks ago and it kept for a few weeks before it got too thick. Adding water after the fact doesn't exactly help but then again, everyone has their opinions and experiences to draw from. I make chalk paint in small batches... Does this answer your question? I am sorry to have droned on...
  
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- BARB B on Jun 03, 2014
  @Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs) Thank You! Thank You!! :-)
  
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- Sarah Schneider on Jun 06, 2017
  
  Thank you so much for this analysis. I've been curious about this for awhile and am dying to try this technique.
  
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Wendy Johnson on Jun 01, 2014
I am learning also, so i hope you dont mind if i try to learn from your answers...

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Judi Parmer Todd on Jun 02, 2014
THANK YOU! I just wanted to know if I was better off just making enough for one item, and having to make a little "more" if necessary, than making more than I need, and then having to throw it away. You have answered everything I wanted to know, and I thank you VERY much for taking the time. Much appreciated.

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Judi Parmer Todd on Jun 02, 2014
I meant making more than I needed, then storing it. It's Monday, what can I say <smile>

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Sheila Bolan on Mar 13, 2018

Eee smashing, thanks very much for taking time to reply,and useful information,as it works just aswell,with emulsion/flat paint and much cheaper,too,happy days peeep,s 😄🙄cheerio for now x

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