Do I need to use primer over chalk paint?
If you are painting over chalk paint that doesn't have any sealant coat on it, you can get away without using a primer. The matte finish of the chalk paint will act as a great primer on its own.
The simple answer to this is YES! You can paint over chalk paint, but there are a couple things to consider first. Normally we prefer not to paint over previously painted surfaces if we don't have to. However, there are some really great pieces that we have come across that were painted that we couldn't pass up!
In most cases, you can paint over chalk paint. To paint over chalk paint, ensure any old wax is fully cured, lightly sand the entire surface if needed, and thoroughly clean the furniture piece. Then repaint, following instructions for the specific kind of paint chosen.
Applying a coat of clear wax over Chalk Paint® will deepen the colour of the paint and create a beautiful, matt finish. It will protect against fingermarks and stains. It's also water-repellent, so you can wipe any marks away with a damp cloth.
But you really only need to sand just enough to scuff up the existing chalk paint finish. This gives the primer something to grab onto once you apply it. I recommend using a medium grit sandpaper to prepare the surface for primer.
Go ahead and paint over the Chalk Paint® with EITHER Chalk Paint® OR any other product you choose. It will be just fine! Chalk Paint® makes an excellent base for all products.
Oil-based primers for chalk paint (Outdoors)
If you are painting outdoor furniture with chalk paint, you will need to use an oil-based primer for waterproofing.
Yes, you can use polyurethane over chalk paint. Poly is very durable, inexpensive and watertight. However, it can be tricky to get a smooth finish and it can yellow over time.
Chalk paint adheres to furniture beautifully without the use of primer and (usually) no sanding. A quick cleaning is typically all you need. With that being said, there's very rarely a piece of furniture that goes through our shop that doesn't need some type of prep work before paint.
Annie Sloan's brand of furniture paint will adhere to most surfaces without any sanding first. Chalk Paint® has incredible sticking power so it really doesn't need any surface prep in the vast majority of cases. You can even paint directly over hardware, if you wish.
What top coat to use over chalk paint?
Polyurethane. Polyurethane is one of the best options for coating your chalk paint projects. This is because it's very easy to use and it provides an incredibly durable cover. Oil-based polyurethane is a great choice for indoor and outdoor projects as well as furniture and tables.
If you don't it's going to get marked – water will harm it. You need to be able to protect it in some way, and I devised the wax to go with the paint. I think the wax is the most beautiful, I really love it.

Priming. Use KILZ® CHALK STYLE PAINT on properly prepared uncoated or painted interior surfaces. For wood that contains tannins, such as Redwood and Cedar, a coat of primer such as KILZ PREMIUM Interior/Exterior water-based primer is recommended.
You should seal chalk paint with a top coat or sealing wax. The Kilz line does carry a Kilz clear sealing wax made specifically for Kilz chalk style paint.
With Mineral paint you don't need to prime anything beforehand. It'll adhere to just about anything. As an added bonus, Fusion paints are so durable they are waterproof, stain resistant, and don't even require topcoat.
Chalk Paint Cracking
Chalk paint cracks when the furniture wasn't cleaned well before painting. Dust and furniture polish can stop paint from sticking to the surface. How to Fix It: If the cracks are deep, you may need to sand the piece. Then seal it with shellac, let it dry and then paint another coat of chalk paint.
For most purposes, one to two coats of paint are enough. Chalk Paint® adheres to almost any surface, and there is rarely any need to sand or prime before painting.
The feathering, which is like sweeping the paint very lightly with the tip of your brush, will help minimize any brush marks. Once touch dry, apply a second coat if necessary, brushing lightly in every direction to reduce brush marks. Once fully dry, you're ready to apply Chalk Paint® Wax to seal in the paint.
You HAVE to do a top coat to ensure the durability of the paint.
Chalk paint stands out from other paints because it requires no preparation like sanding or priming. The paint can be applied to almost any surface, indoors or outdoors: floors, ceilings, walls, furniture, glass, metal, wood, concrete, plaster, and even fabric.
Why use chalk paint vs regular paint?
Besides its matte finish, chalk paint differs from traditional paint in several other ways. One of the benefits is that it doesn't require any prep work—it can paint right over most clean, dry surfaces (except for metal or shiny laminate), even if they're already painted.
Dry time varies depending on the type of paint you use, but at least 2 hours of drying is needed before putting the polycrylic on. 4-6 hours would be better if you're worried about it. Then make sure you mix your waterbased polycrylic really well with a stir stick.
Minwax recommends applying three coats of Polycrylic. I usually apply three coats to my projects and I've been pleased with the results.
Annie Sloan, manufacturer of the trademarked Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint®, recommends users wait a full 24 hours between coats of paint to allow for adequate dry time and product performance. So, be ready to watch that first streaky coat of chalk paint dry for a full day before you add a second coat.
Add a little water to your tin of Chalk Paint®. Apply the paint with a Flat Brush, working in the same direction as the grain. *Optional* When the paint is dry, use fine sandpaper – 600-grit or higher – to buff the finished surface.
Create a Smooth Finish With Chalk Paint™ People often ask us if you can “roll” Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan onto your piece. The answer is yes, you absolutely can! In this quick post, I'll show you how to use a velour roller and Annie Sloan's flat brush to create a smooth, long-lasting finish.
- Pro: No Prep Work. One of the most challenging parts of any painting project is the prep work. ...
- Pro: Good Coverage. ...
- Con: The Cost. ...
- Pro: It's Water-Based. ...
- Pro AND Con: Dry Time. ...
- Pro: Durability. ...
- Con: You Have to Wax It.
Chalk paint can become streaky if it is too dry or thick when it's applied. Applying chalk paint coats that are very thin will also result in streaks because the paint dries out very quickly and shows the brush strokes. Unevenly applying a wax sealant can also cause streaks in a chalk paint finish.
While chalk paint can last from 1 to 5 years if stored properly, chalk paint will dry up much faster than that if left exposed to air. If your chalk paint has thickened considerably since last use, know that you can thin it with water if you'd like to use it again.
Chalk paint wax will: add a sheen. enhance the colour and texture of your painted unit. protect against knocks, bumps and scratches.
Does chalk paint come off with water?
We suggest using a hose as the continuous amount of water will be incredibly helpful for getting rid of the chalk paint. Start by turning on your hose and getting the piece of the furniture wet. Take your sponge and scrub at one spot while having the hose soak it in water; this will help the paint come off easier.
Fixing this issue is easiest done when you've first made the mistake. You can tell you've used too much Wax because you'll see opaque white lumps or streaks. Just wipe away using a lint-free cloth. If you've applied too much Chalk Paint™ Wax and not really realised until it's dried, you can still correct the issue.
Once you are happy with the outcome it is time to apply Rust-Oleum Furniture Finishing Wax. This protects the paint finish and is really easy to apply. Just simply take an old rag or paint brush and work the wax into the paint work a little at a time.
Yes! You can use Mod Podge to seal chalk paint. This is a great option if you want to protect your chalk paint from wear and tear, or if you want to add a bit of shine to your project.
My favorite technique right now is using a foam roller. We'll talk more about that process in this blog post. You can also use a paint sprayer that is designed for chalk paint. Or you can use a hand brush and if you apply the paint correctly it will come out nice and smooth.
Depending on the size of the object you're painting, you can opt to use a brush, roller, or spray gun to apply chalk paint. How you apply the paint will depend on your applicator of choice: To use chalk paint with a brush: For a smooth, uniform finish, choose a natural-bristle brush with long, flexible bristles.
Lack of Surface Preparation: When your paint surface is dirty or isn't primed properly it's prone to cracking and flaking even with a just a thin layer. Expired or Low-Quality Paint: These paints can peel much more quickly than fresh, high-quality paint.
MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES® Chalk Spray Paint features an enhanced formulation that combines paint and primer in a single can, delivering a premium, durable ultra matte finish. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, this product can be used on wood, metal, plastic†, cast stone and wicker.
No matter how may coats you paint, the stain colour will continue to bleed through. The ANSWER is to get something called *Knotting or sometimes it is called shellac. Get the clear one and apply it using a pad rather than a brush. It dries in minutes and you can get on with painting immediately!
- Go Easy on the Prep Work.
- Use Different Brush Strokes for Varied Effects.
- Distress Carefully With Fine Sandpaper.
- Apply Thin Coats of Chalk Paint on Slick Surfaces.
- Create a Two-Color Distress for Greater Depth.
- Apply Wax for a Supple Texture.
- Dry-Brush to Blend Top and Bottom Colors.
What happens if you don't use primer before painting?
Without a coat of primer, you're looking at a splotchy paint job. Applying primer prior to painting drywall will give your finished wall an even, clean look.
What happens if you don't prime bare wood is not pretty. Similar to new drywall, raw wood soaks up paint like a sponge. As a result, your surface will look blotchy since pores in the woodwork unevenly absorb the paint. More importantly, the painted wood will likely peel in two or three years without primer.
Clean, dry, and fairly low-porous surfaces in good condition may not need any priming. This describes the walls in a typical interior living room, bedroom, dining room, or hallway. When you are re-painting a color with the same color, you can usually use just one or two coats of paint—primer not required.
Unless you are painting over chalk paint that has absolutely no sealant coat on it, you really need to do some sanding before you paint. Paint just isn't going to stick well to any type of protective coat.
Chalk paint is the best way to paint practically anything without sanding. It offers a gorgeous matte finish and no need to prepare the surface. Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint was the cornerstone of the painted furniture industry as we know it.
Lightly sanding between coats is a good rule of thumb for achieving a smooth finish on any painted surface, but the chalky nature of chalk paint makes it especially easy. To finish the surface, you'll apply a thin coat of wax to seal the paint and add protection.
If you don't seal your chalk paint, you're going to wind up repainting those high-traffic pieces after the paint has chipped. You're also going to spend more time sweeping up flecks of chalk paint that fall off of your painted surfaces.
Besides its matte finish, chalk paint differs from traditional paint in several other ways. One of the benefits is that it doesn't require any prep work—it can paint right over most clean, dry surfaces (except for metal or shiny laminate), even if they're already painted.
For most purposes, one to two coats of paint are enough. Chalk Paint® adheres to almost any surface, and there is rarely any need to sand or prime before painting. See 'Dealing with stains coming through Chalk Paint®' for when to prime or sand before painting.
Dry paint will still chip and scratch even with just light pressure with a fingernail. Cured chalk paint will not scratch with light pressure. To allow the paint to fully cure, you'll usually need to wait about 24 hours.