Asked on Mar 29, 2014

Can you paint over Chalk Paint with latex paint?

LB
by LB
I painted the drawers with chalk paint but now I want to use a high gloss latex on the drawer fronts? Any suggestions?
  22 answers
  • Miriam Illions Miriam Illions on Mar 30, 2014
    I'm tagging @Nancy @ ArtsyChicksRule and @The Golden Sycamore -- they're chalk paint experts! :)
  • LB LB on Mar 31, 2014
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
    • Nancy @ ArtsyChicksRule Nancy @ ArtsyChicksRule on Mar 31, 2014
      @LB As long as you haven't waxed it yet that shouldn't be a problem at all. It would just act as a primer. IF you have waxed it, then you would need to sand down past the wax before you paint with latex. :)
  • LB LB on Mar 31, 2014
    I haven't waxed yet so that is great news. Thank you!
  • The Golden Sycamore The Golden Sycamore on Apr 01, 2014
    Thanks for tagging me, @Miriam I! Yes, you can absolutely paint with latex paint over chalk paint - as long as you haven't sealed the chalk paint with wax, poly, etc. If you haven't sealed it, chalk paint's flat finish acts as a great primer, so latex can adhere to it well. However, if you have sealed it, I would recommend removing the wax/poly by sanding and/or using mineral spirits before you paint over the chalk paint. If you aren't able to remove all of the sealant, make sure to use a primer before painting with your latex paint. Hope that helps!
  • The Golden Sycamore The Golden Sycamore on Apr 01, 2014
    Just saw what @Nancy @ ArtsyChicksRule wrote! Great minds think alike, right?!
  • LB LB on Apr 01, 2014
    Thank you so much!!! You guys are awesome!
  • Shelle Shelle on Dec 28, 2014
    My question is the complete opposite....I have painted the sideboard in my dining room with black latex paint and now would like to paint it again with chalk paint.....can I? :-)
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Dec 31, 2014
    Shelle- You absolutely can paint over black latex with chalk paint. It is made for that purpose. Just make sure the latex is smooth and clean. Chalk paint will go right over it and bond nicely. Add a wax finish for protection.
  • Kel1207939 Kel1207939 on Jan 29, 2015
    Help!!! I am painting an art deco buffet using black chalk paint. I have waxed it and it looks horrible. If I paint over the waxed chalk paint with 2 coats of chalk paint can I then paint over the chalk paint with Latex paint??? I really don't want to strip it. Please say yes
    • Claire Claire on Mar 30, 2015
      @Keliq48 Did you ever figure out the answer to your question. I am in the same position but with my kitchen cupboards.
  • Claire Claire on Mar 30, 2015
    I have painted and waxed my kitchen cupboards with chalk paint and I really don't like the finish. I would like to use a latex primer and paint to redo the job. I have sanded and used mineral spirits. Then I used the latex primer and it just comes right off. So I am back to sanding and more mineral spirits. Please help. What can I paint over the wax that will adhere? Or at least leave me with a fresh surface again?
  • Linda Drummond Linda Drummond on Apr 26, 2015
    I painted with calk paint and applied the wax last yr. I now want to do a high gloss paint and I need to know how to do this. About 3 weeks ago I did a light wash with paint thinner. Then a light sanding. Then I applied a recommended primer called Zinsner 1 2 3. Now 3 weeks latter when I run my fingernail over it I still get a waxy build up coming off. So I lightly sanded and washed it again and am still getting a waxy build up when I run my finger over it. What do you recommend?
    • See 1 previous
    • Centsably Creative Centsably Creative on Jul 06, 2016
      It may just be the acrylic turning yellow and not about the chalk paint at all. Get a product called de glosser at the Home Depot and use that to get the acrylic sealer off then buy a product that specifically says non yellowing to seal. I think polycrylic is non yellowing but check the label first. It must state non- yellowing. I am sorry I can not give you a specific product for that but my memory is bad these days....
  • Mcm2902420 Mcm2902420 on Nov 07, 2015
    I just painted new unfinished kitchen cabinets with 5 coats of white chalk paint, I have only applied 1 coat of sealer wax so far. The different wood colors are bleeding through. what do i need to do to put latex satin over it?
    • Claudia Claudia on Aug 02, 2017

      Was it Annie Sloan Chalk Paint or another brand. I've used Annie Sloans many times with excellent results. I never had a problem with colors bleeding through.

  • D D on Nov 09, 2015
    I'm not a chalk paint expert but I am a lazy painter that hates to sand anything. I've used Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond Primer on high glass surfaces and have loved the results. For example-all the natural wood trim in my home that I wanted white instead-stairs, baseboards, crown moulding... I don't see why it wouldn't work on waxed chalk paint. Clean it first with TSP. Good luck!
    • Centsably Creative Centsably Creative on Jul 06, 2016
      Yes to all of the above but use TSP substitute instead....it will specifically say "no rinsing ". TSP regular must be rinsed.
  • June June on Mar 31, 2017

    i HAVE PAINTED AN OLD CHINA CABINET WITH CHALK PAINT AND USED A GOOD BRUSH TO PAINT WITH. ENDED UP PAINTING CABINET AGAIN AND LET DRY THEN USED WAX BUT WHEN IT DRIED IT LOOKED LIKE MY GRANDSON PAINTED IT. WENT BACK OVER AGAIN BUT STILL LOOKS BAD. CAN I JUST GET SOME MORE GOOD PAINT AND GO OVER THIS WITH ANOTHER COLOR. HELP.........


  • Susan Lorenz Malvesto Susan Lorenz Malvesto on Jul 05, 2017

    I'm frustrated with chalk paint too. I've painted a bedroom set for my granddaughter. It looks awful. The white is coming through with a yellow look on some of the white painted area. I also see the brown wood look coming through after 3 coats of paint. I unfortunately waxed it just to see if I would like it better. I'm so disappointed and I don't have the time to sand every piece and start over with latex paint.

    • Claudia Claudia on Aug 02, 2017

      Did you use Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint or a knock-off brand? I always have excellent results with Annie Sloan's.

  • Jennypeickert Jennypeickert on Jul 07, 2017

    Unfortunately, chalk paint doesnt seal wood tannen or polyurethane either. First, clean wood, lightly sand, seal w/Zinser primer(it may take a couple coats) then paint w/chalk paint, seal w/either wax or poly. These chalk paint companies want u to think that just painting seals the wood grains,tannen or old varnishes fm bleeding thru the paint, not my experience.Take it fm someone who learned the hard way, do it the right way & the paint will look great for a long time. Btw...latex over chalk paint failed for me & I am in the process of stripping a project so passing this info along, learning about chalk paint.

  • Susan Lorenz Malvesto Susan Lorenz Malvesto on Aug 03, 2017

    Maybe that was the problem. I used Lowe's brand. Thank you

  • Tasha Tasha on Mar 11, 2018

    I want to paint my kitchen cabinets white. I was planning to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but have been reading about different problems others have had with chalk paint in general. I do not want to sand all of my kitchen cabinets! I was wondering if I could use chalk paint as a primer (so I don't have to sand) and then use a Benjamin Moore paint over the chalk paint. Do you think that would work?

    • See 1 previous
    • IB IB on Jun 13, 2018

      UvasDeMar, were you painting over waxed AS paint? Did the prep spray take care of the wax problem? The Rethunk Junk line sounds amazing!

  • Gk Gk on Mar 11, 2018

    I would just use a primer under the Benjamin Moore paint. Using chalk paint under it serves no real purpose. Chalk paint isn't a primer. If your cabinets have a gloss to them I would sand down the gloss but you don't need to remove all the poly. Know that once you paint it takes about 25 days for the paint to cure (different from drying) so you have to be very careful not to damage your paint finish.

  • Evitalove Evitalove on Apr 06, 2018

    Can you paint over Simi gloss with chalk paint


  • Kathy bova Kathy bova on May 24, 2018

    can I use chalk paint as an undercoat and then use latex over it?


    • Ardent Ardent on Dec 13, 2018

      Why not just use a primer? Chalk paint is expensive and really isn't a primer. If they've already been painted and the surface is smooth, ok. But just buying chalk paint to use as a primer is really unnecessary.

  • Daniela Daniela on Jan 17, 2020

    My walls were painted with white chalk paint i just went over them with white gloss paint they look a bit grey like a dirty white does anyone know why