I've gotten a couple questions on here recently about chalk paint so I thought I'd write something up telling you a little bit about it for those DIY'ers on here who are are wondering what it is. It's MAGIC!...okay not really, but when you're comparing it to acrylic paints I'd say it comes pretty close! The chalk paint I'm talking about specifically is by Annie Sloan, I have used the line by Cece Caldwell and I do like them both but I have more experience with the line by Annie Sloan and can't help but be a loyal fan so that's what I'm referring to today :)
So let's get started!! What are the pros??
1) Prep time! Or rather - the lack there of! With the line by Annie Sloan there is NEVER a need to prime or prep, this stuff sticks to it all - and yes it's thick enough that you're not going to get the original color popping through even without that smelly thick white primer underneath! And speaking of smelly...that is something these paints are NOT!
2) These paints all have low VOCs so it's not bad for you or the environment! And for those of us who don't have a huge workshop to paint in during the winter, it makes it possible to paint inside our homes!
3) This paint can be used on ANY surface, indoors and out - and I do mean ANY - according to her site this includes floors, walls, old waxed pine, melamine and varnished wood! I myself have used it on finished and unfinished wood, plastic & ceramic figurines and metal, never with any problem.
4) These paints can be diluted with water (or left out to get thicker) and mixed together to make new colors, so the color possibilities are limitless!
5) In addition to all the benefits related to the actual painting process, the cleanup is just as AWESOME! How many times have we each unknowingly walked around with paint in our hair for days? Ugh! So embarrassing! Ruined a shirt we just KNEW we shouldn't have attempted to paint in? One more for the polishing rags pile! Not any more! Soap and water - that's it people, I'm tellin' ya! It comes out of my hair, off my clothes and off my brushes with little effort. I didn't believe this either until about a week after I first bought my first quart of Duck Egg, my FAVORITE color! I had separated some into a small plastic container because I planned to mix it with water to thin it out. Only, clumsy me dropped it on my way to my craft cabinet! Duck Egg blue paint all over my hard wood floors, I FREAKED for about two seconds, realized it was chalk paint and crossed my fingers the rumors were true - sure enough it came up with a damp rag and nothing more and I only mourned the loss of my valuable paint - not the loss of my valuable floors!!
So there are the pros - I've probably missed some but that's the jist of it...so now, what are the cons? That's a much shorter list!
1) Price. I was a little sticker shocked, I'm not going to lie, I'm cheap! - I extreme coupon, I turn off lights ALL day behind my kids, I only do FULL loads of dishes and laundry...but I closed my eyes and handed over the cash determined to try what everyone was claiming was so great, and I'm glad I did! I can't believe how long a quart of this stuff has lasted me compared to a quart of acrylic paint! I STILL have my first can of Duck Egg paint and I have painted 3 dining room chairs, a coffee table, a child's chair and a bird figurine and I'm NOT exaggerating when I say I have more than 3/4 of my can left! That's value for your dollar - and trust me, that's a LOT coming from me!
2) Matte finish - personally I wouldn't consider this a con because I prefer a matte finish. BUT if this isn't your style then this would be a con for you. Because this paint is a chalk paint, and is followed up with a wax finish it is more matte. Leading me to number 3...
3) This paint has to be followed up with a coat of wax, but what paint job doesn't need some sort of top coat? So again, is it really a con??
So that's it! My pros and "sorta" cons ;) hope that helped to clarify some things, but if not feel free to ask away! Or if you want to check out her site, or purchase her paints I've linked her site below where you can find loads of information as well as a list of all the retailers in your area that carry her incredible line!
Happy painting!
http://www.anniesloan.com/index.html
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