Chalk Painted Kitchen Cabinets Never Again!
You’re probably reading this title and thinking seriously? I thought she was all about chalk painted kitchen cabinets. Well let me tell you why I painted my cabinets using Annie Sloan cp and why I would never do it again. Five years ago I started my blog. After looking at photos of my home I was taken back at how my home didn’t reflect the real me. When we were building my home and I was choosing colors and cabinets I picked maple cabinets with a dark finish. This is totally not me at all. But at the time that we were picking things out for our home I was under lots of stress. We purchased this home but still hadn’t sold our last home. Something I would never ever do again! ( This post contains affiliate links see disclosure policy)
So as I said shortly after I started this blog I decided to start changing things around in my home. One of the biggest changes was my chalk painted kitchen cabinets. At the time Annie Sloan chalk paint was the rage. I was reading other blog tutorials on how to paint kitchen cabinets without sanding or priming. I was all about the fastest way to paint my cabinets so I went for it.
I purchased 4 pints of AS paint in pure white. The only prep that I did on my cabinets was that I cleaned them. But I didn’t sand before I painted them. After painting 2 coats on my cabinets I noticed that it wasn’t covering great. I applied 1 or 2 more coats, I can’t remember it may have been more. But I do know that I had to order 4 more cans of paint. This was starting to get expensive.
Since I was using a cp I thought I should lightly distress my cabinets. I will be honest, I really didn’t want them distressed at all. But if you are using a cp that’s really the point for chalk painted kitchen cabinets . Why paint them with cp if you’re not looking for a distressed look, right?
Then it was time to seal the paint. I could have used an oil or a water based top coat. I hesitated because years before painting my chalk painted kitchen cabinets I painted a white dresser for my daughter. I sealed it with a polyurethane I can’t remember if it was an oil or water based. I think it was an oil based. Well this turned my white dresser an ugly yellow. The thought of this happening to my cp kitchen cabinets scared me. So I decided to use a wax on my kitchen cabinets . I read many tutorials on people painting kitchen cabinets and using a wax so I thought why not. I applied Fiddes furniture wax which I’ve used on numerous pieces of furniture and never had a problem. After applying this wax I started to see a mustard yellow color on all the detailed areas of my cabinets. At this point I was freaking out! I started sanding this all down then ordered AS clear wax.
You’re probably wondering why I didn’t use AS wax on my chalk painted kitchen cabinets in the first place. Well I didn’t want to wait for the wax to cure. Once you apply the wax it has to cure for 24 hours before you can buff it. I knew I had to give it at least 3 coats of wax. This was a long process and a messy one. I also had an issue with the inside of two of my cabinets. I wanted to leave the doors off of two cabinets. I first prepped those with Kilz primer. But it wasn’t adhering very well. I just left it as it was, creating a distressed look using AS dark wax.
About three years after painting my cabinets they looked like they needed a fresh paint job. I repainted them but stupidly never finished waxing them. Then I decided to paint them once again and finish waxing them…and again I didn’t finish waxing them.
Can you see why cp cabinets are not the best idea when it comes to updating your kitchen? Painted cabinets are fine, but in my opinion unless you are planning to heavily distress them and unless you paint them another color and not white. I would not suggest chalk painted cabinets. This is my personal opinion. If you would like chalk painted cabinets go for it. But I personally would never ever do it again. I wasted lots of money and time. And in the end my cabinets didn’t stay nice. They looked dingy and dirty and didn’t clean well at all if I needed to scrub them. I love the primer and paint that I used on my cabinets. They have a beautiful sheen and they are holding up well to scrubbing.
How I Repainted My Kitchen Cabinets
I lightly sanded my cabinets down, then I used Krud Cutter to clean the dust and grim off of my cabinets. Next I painted two coats of paint using Behr premium plus ultra. For the detailed areas I used my favorite Purdy brush. Then used a foam roller over the larger sections. I have to tell you that this paint is amazing! I love the finish on my cabinets it looks like it did the first time I painted them using chalk paint and used a wax to seal them. It has a hand buffed look. It’s a very smooth finish as well. I will keep you updated on how this paint wears on my cabinets. Only time will tell. But I was told that this paint is very durable and will not come off unless I strip it off, fingers crossed.
I Have No Regrets
This was one of those life learning lessons. I’ve shared this before that I am and experimenter. I’m never afraid to try something new. In the process I didn’t ruin my cabinets. I just made more work for myself and it costed more money in the end when I could have just painted them using a primer and latex paint. But I thought I using cp would have saved me time and money but it didn’t. So again if you want a distressed worn look use cp but seal them with a top coat. If you want a factory finish look use a primer and latex paint or a paint and primer in one. But make sure to sand your cabinets down before painting. You need to make sure that the paint will adhere.
I will be painting a few of my cabinet doors that I haven’t yet painted. They are the doors I took off when I painted the rest of my cabinets. I will share a step by step of how to paint them along with the paint I used on my cabinets.
I talked a little more about this on my Youtube channel I’ll share the video below.
I talked a client last week out of ordering chalk paint for her cabinets. In my experience, a real kitchen , one that gets meals cooked daily, pets, and kids, regular cleaning and chalk paints DO NOT mix.
So it took me longer to prep and paint the cabinets in Valspar cabinet paint. We, my husband and I were contracted to redo a kitchen and dining area last weekend, and we rocked it. He had to rebuild some of the cabinets and I painted, restyled and redesigned some and redid the dining area. Client was pleased and glad I talked them out of chalk!
I do luv chalk paint however. It does have it’s uses. I have a china cabinet, side tables, vanity….. but I have to rewax every year and I am willing to do that. ☺ for now anyway.
Good post Anne!!! So many people are eager to lean toward the no sand and prime way….
Hugs, Gee
Did the Valdpar paint lever out pretty well and can get it in any color?
Thanks
I’m sorry that you had a bad experience with Chalk Paint. I have used Pure White in my bathrooms and they have lasted longer than five years. My kitchen is also painted in Pure White (as are all my baseboards, trim and windows), but only for the last two years. So far everything is holding up nicely. Also, I don’t distress when I paint cabinets because I like a more clean look.
My experience sounds very different than yours. I didn’t do any sanding or priming, or sanding between coats. Also, I have had great success with wax finishes (although I don’t use wax on my window trim). I just wanted to throw that out there for your readers if they might want to consider using Annie Sloan for their cabinets. I would suggest consulting with an AS stockist before diving in.
Hi I’m visiting from Instagram. I left you a comment there too. Your last kitchen cabinet paint procedure is how I painted my cabinets. I used Behr flat paint with the added primer in a color called Pecan Sandi. Two coats covered beautiful. I did a light distress not much on some high points then after curing 24 hours I used a brush on water base varnish from ceram coat. I am a long time decorative artist and after many years of learnings I knew chalk paint would ruin my kitchen. They have an amazing smooth finish and I too used a foam roller. I’m not a fan of the wax from AS and never had good luck with it. I have also learned flat paint is the way to go for best adhesion. I did a little prep sanding but not much. Semi gloss paints will not adhere and scratch off the minute you touch it.
So glad your last attempt turned out great. Mine are wearing like iron and look amazing. I did a blog post 2 years ago when I completed it.
Thanks for sharing and enjoy your pretty cabinets.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Celestina Marie
I painted my kitchen cabinets with Old white AS chalk paint and I love them. They were easy to do and look great. I didn’t use the wax, I put a sealer on them. Can’t remember what kind but they are holding up very well.
I used the same pain, Behr Premium,t on my cabinets a couple of years ago and on my china cabinets. Very durable, I still love the paint. I have only had a nick or two that I have touched up. But other than that they have worn well. I can wash them and they look just painted after all this time.
Hope you have a better outcome this time.
So sorry to hear about bad experience with chalk paint, expensive chalk paint, ouch. Only kind of chalk paint have ever used is home made or inexpensive, just don’t have money for expensive stuff. Sure glad to hear the Behr paint worked so much better, your cupboards look so nice,
Want to paint our cupboards but will be using paint with primer in it since our cupboards are typical mfg. home ones with vinyl paper over them. They will have to have TSP used on them but no sanding.
That was hard expensive lesson to learn. Had few of those in my lifetime also, is how we learn, sad to say. Imagine you are so glad to have done cupboards “tight” way now so you can wash them off, have them stay nice looking.
Youngest daughter just left, came to use our dryer and help me with medicare, she works with county health services. It is so confusing.
Hope you had good weekend
Hi Anne, this has been an eye opening read. We painted our kitchen cabinets quite some time ago with oil-based white paint. It took awhile and it was messy (the clean-up) but after around 5 years they look a little shabby and dirty. I thought we were going to have to go through all that again, but $3.98 and two Mr. Clean erasers and they look good as new. So glad we took the trouble to do it right the first time..Happy Thanksgiving..Judy
Your kitchen looks great. I experimented with chalk paint on furniture and was going to do the shelving and cabinets in my bathroom with chalk paint but, talked myself out of it. I went the quality paint route too and have never regretted it. It still looks great with some minor wear three years later. It is our only bathroom and I used the dated vanity that was in it (oak) and re-used old kitchen cabinets from a remodel for storage. I cleaned everything really well, sanded lightly and painted them gray. I put a second coat on just because I wanted a nice finish, lightly waxed the cabinets and l think they still look great! I’ve used name brand chalk paint and the less expensive stuff you can buy at Walmart, and I thought the cheaper stuff worked really well. My next project is a hutch (a big one) and although I’ve tried some blues and grays on the one side and some of the detailing I haven’t committed yet. The furniture I’ve done has turned out very nice, although it took several coats of chalk paint to finish an oak vanity I did for my granddaughter, and I sealed it with a water base sealer because she will put some wear and tear on it. Thanks for sharing ;your experiences!
Hi Anne,
I came across these photos of your lovely kitchen while looking for just the right color aqua for my island. There it is! The one that Florida1 suggests you paint black. LOL. Obviously, I vote for it staying the way it is. Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us.
Can you please include a picture of your black kitchen cabinets? Thanks!
I’m so happy I found your page. I painted my kitchen cabinets with ASCP and waxed about 4 years ago. I’m over the wax and the look I want something smooth and simple to take care of. Everyone has been telling me that painting over the top won’t work unless I repaint with ASCP and I have to strip the wax and even then nothing will probably stick to it. You have given me hope. Could you please tell me how yours are holding up with the Behr paint? I saw you said you sanded then used krud cutter . I was also told if I were to sand it would make the wax seap further into the wood ? I was starting to think I would have to repaint with ASCP and I really don’t want to. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.
Bev
I’m moving into an older home in KY and want to paint the oak kitchen cabinets. As suggested, after I paint them with NON chalk paint, do I still have to seal them?
Used Behr on the basement with a wonderful low budget wow factor….cement basement to looks finished with the paint choice. The space now has a pool table for a fun break beyond a crude laundry space. I am literally mid process of chalk paint on the kitchen cabinets and hoping I won’t regret. I choose GREY! Then realized everyone who picks grey contrasts with white…so may change the wallpaper in a room the needs wallpaper on the walls redone. Even though I’m not yet finished with the kitchen cabinets it turned ugly wood cabinet facings into something I can stand. I found a white normal paint that was used on the basement entrance and tested on the cabinets with a wow result and the person I live with picked up a white enamel and put it on(they noticed I used the same black on sink legs with a wow result) and it turned out yellowed on the cabinets with near impossible to put a normal paint on again, at least the chalk paint is covering.
Sorry your painting experience was not so good! But the first issue was with your choice of cp paint and absolutely no wax in the kitchen! I painted my kitchen island a year ago and it looks great! I used Dixie Belle chalk/mineral paint. First I cleaned my cabinets with their white-lightening product then they were ready to paint. It has held up so well that I just got done with the rest of my kitchen cabinets as well. To seal them and protect the paint I used their top coat Gator Hide.. Love this company! So easy to use looks great and lasts! I also distressed them love that look! I used Fluff on the upper cabinets and Sea Glass on the bottom ones
I have a busy kitchen with a teenage boy and 2 dogs in the house and this is were my girlfriends and I get together for yummy cooking and wine.. 😀 So it’s very lived in!!
I’m confused? What type of sheen did you use of the Behr paint? Did you use a top coat or the wax again? It sounds like you used the wax over the top, if not what kind of sealer did you use?.
Thank you for your blog. I’m painting my cabs with home made chalk paint now. Well kinnda chalk paint. I’m just finishing up the project. I have done my bathroom with this same technique and it worked great. Very cheap and fast. I just take of the paint color I’m going with in some Tupperware, usually just a quart of Behr paint and primer matte in whatever color I like, make it chalk paint with a diy plaster of paris recipe and do my first coat on the clean cabs. No sanding or prep. Then the second coat I do the same color in the non-chalk-regular old matte paint. Then to finish I do a coat of water based non yellowing wipe on poly as my sealer/clear coat and pie it on with a rag like I’m cleaning them and I’m all done. No wax. No buffing.
True to color. No distressing. Quick drying. Super easy. Pretty inexpensive.
I’m finding that chalk paint is the best primer in the world….and waterbased wipe on satin poly is my best friend.
If you look on Amazon there is a product made by Polyvine that seals like a polycrylic, but finishes like a wax. They have different finishes, but It really does seal the chalk paint. I like the dead flat finish, but they have others. It’s a little pricey at $40/quart, but you can seal anything including kitchen cabinets and you’ll never have to seal again. I did lots of research & tried lots of products…this product is worth all the gold in Fort Knox!! Happy decorating!!