Not Happy With Chalky Furniture Paint

by Pat S

This is just my opinion, and I am not saying this against any product, it just isn't for me.
I have heard so much hype over all the chalky furniture paints and finally broke down and tried it. I am not happy with it. To me, I could have done better in less time, with less expense and less frustration if I just used a primer, because that's what it looks like to me. A jar that was supposed to be enough to cover the whole piece, didn't.
I will stick to my acrylic based paints and distress them... I'll post when done with my Mackenzie Childs/Prague Inspired China Closet.

8 oz. not enough

this is after a full 8 ounces.... the very bottom and the top and side against the wall is not painted.

not happy with chalky furniture paint, painted furniture

this is not what I expected after numerous coats of paint.

New Inspiration

I was sick about it... literally. It takes my energy and becomes painful standing there for the day trying to get a piece this size covered. So I went back to the drawing board and decided to go for a Mackenzie Childs and my painting from Prague "look".

Painted the back with one coat of yellow and started painting my checks...

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Mimi on Sep 07, 2017

I have been contemplating a chalk paint/wax treatment for an old dry sink but I was having my doubts. I want to put it in my entry, so I don't want it to look "amateurish." Your comments are refreshingly honest and I appreciate those of others who have used various "hacks" to make the chalk paint behave the way they have been led to expect it would. I'm going to re-think this and possibly try a chalk paint/wax finish on a smaller item in order to "get my feet wet" and understand what this finish is all about. Thanks for being so honest about your experience.

Anybody out there like me who tried it despite misgivings and came out with a happy ending? Would love to hear about it!

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Melinda Record on Jan 16, 2021

I have been reluctant to use the chalk paint on any "larger than a trinket" piece primarily because the way it feels once it's dry ~ kind of a loose, dusty texture. After touching it I always check my fingers thinking the paint came off!

Like many others here, I'm sticking with my usual latex and acrylic paints because I know how they will behave and endure with use and wear.

I appreciate this "project" ~ the honesty is refreshing ~ and now I don't feel so alone about not going with the latest craze of chalk paint.

Thank you very much!

2 Reply
Ham49590543 on May 22, 2022

Glad to read these posts - I’m a novice at painting furniture so thought it was my technique. Poor quality result after so much work. Would not recommend chalk paint to anyone.

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