Can You Use Chalk Paint on Kitchen Cabinets?

Yes, you can paint kitchen cabinets with chalk paint due to the fact that chalk paint adheres to almost any material, it is simple to apply but does not require any preparation. You’ve presumably heard advice from a lot of acquaintances about how much of a headache it could be to try to paint the kitchen cabinetry. On the other hand, that’s not always the situation. Furthermore, if you are trying to improve the appearance of the kitchen, this is the most straightforward choice to start. And, with some thought and dedication, you could surely do it yourself with the method. Note, we said that it would be simple; we did not say could be without its challenges or time commitments. Chalk painting the kitchen cabinetry will give them a fresh look at a reasonable price and in a short amount of time. Continue reading to figure out how to make this house renovation a success.

What Type of Paint Can be Used on Kitchen Cabinets?

Acrylic latex paint is easy to maintain and has a long life expectancy. When painting using latex paints, it’s often a matter of following the company’s recommendations as much as possible. Using a polished appearance can help the cabinetry glow, but it would also give us a lot of scratches and imperfections on the surface. Surfaces in the kitchen are often coated in a semi-gloss or satin finish.

Can Kitchen Cabinets be Chalk Painted Without Sanding?

We would only suggest this particular brand of chalk paint to those who really own it. This paint costs far more per ounce than latex or oil paint, but it is considerably more thorough and offers great application than latex or oil paint. Cabinetry and doors do not have to be sanded or prepped before painting, and there is no need to perform any further preparation work.

What Benefits Do You Get from Chalk Painting the Kitchen Cabinets?

Chalk painting is indeed a great alternative to more traditional painting methods such as spray painting, smearing, or spreading paint. However, although some users enjoy going the classic traditional approach, some are more experimental and would want to experiment with chalk paint on the kitchen cabinetry. Some people believe that using chalk paint is advantageous since it dries quickly, necessitates little preparatory work, is water-based, is long-lasting after waxing, and can be roughened for a clean finish. 

Low to No Preparatory Work

One of the main distinctions between ordinary paint and chalk paint is that there is no necessity to prime the surface before painting with chalk paint. This implies how you can begin remodeling your kitchen cabinetry right now by picking up a paintbrush and some paint. In the case of latex paint, which is yet another typical form of paint, you would still need to maintain the cleanliness thoroughly and then apply primer until you can begin working on the paintwork that you desire.

Remember that, while chalk paint could be directly applied to practically any area, it is nevertheless suggested that you do it on the slippery ground to avoid streaking. Completely wipe down the cabinetry with a clean paper towel to remove any debris that may have become partially submerged in the paint before painting them to remove any stains. You will have a flawless texture as a result of doing just that. If you prefer a rather more decorative touch, you can skip it entirely. However, if you prefer a rougher surface, you should proceed with this stage as well.

Water-Based Composition

As a result of its water-based composition, the paint has additional freedom than some other forms of paint, particularly oil-based paint. Acrylic paint and latex paint are two more varieties of water-based paint that are commonly used. When compared to all these other varieties of water-based paint, chalk form paint will not really require a primer because it self-primes when applied to the surface that one is intended to cover.

Oil-based paint is notoriously hard to remove off surfaces and to deal with when painting. Oil-based paint will become more difficult to correct than water-based paint if you screw up while painting with it. After working with water-based paints, washing your hands and paintbrush will be a lot simpler if you use soapy water to wash them afterward.

Durable Property

Following the application of a protective covering of wax to such paint, it will maintain its attractive appeal for a longer period of time. This is indeed due in part to the fact that chalk paint is typically more viscous than normal paint. If you like a more rustic, vintage style for the cabinetry, chalk paint is also a great choice for that effect. 

It’s possible to forgo the waxing step and allow the paint to create a powdery, grainy, rough impression on a piece of wood, such as a kitchen cupboard, table, or even a kitchen counter, dining table, or island, by allowing the paint to provide it a powdery texture look. It is also the main reason why people use chalk paint as an aesthetic paint in addition to its intended use as a paint.

Sanding After Painting is Possible

In contrast to other forms of paint, chalk paint, which is also matte paint, offers the kitchen a flat surface rather than a polished one. When compared to latex paint, for example, it will be smooth and shiny and will not radiate as much light as it does.

However it does have this impact on the kitchen cabinetry, but it also has this impact on any furniture that has been coated with chalk paint. It is possible that you may need to extremely gently sand the kitchen cabinetry before and after painting them in order to obtain this finer appearance.

What are the Drawbacks of Chalk Painting Kitchen Cabinets?

Chalk paint has a variety of disadvantages, including that it cures slowly, that it adds an extra preventative wax protective coating, that it costs more than other paints, that it chips easily and requires frequent touch-ups, and that it often creates paintbrush traces. Instead of dealing with most of these issues, you should explore using a new type of paint or require expert assistance in getting the kitchen cabinetry painted in a beautiful manner.

Slow Curing Time

One of the disadvantages of chalk paint that you’ll have to examine while evaluating its use is that, while it dries quickly, it cures slower than other paints. Curing of paint occurs whenever the compounds in the paint entirely connect with the material from the surface of whatever it is that is being painted on. Dried paint often does not imply that the paint has been dried. If you lift your finger, dry paint could still come off of the face with no effort on your part. Chalk paint usually takes roughly 24 hours to completely cure once it has been applied. This may result in an extension of the timetable for the kitchen remodeling and painting job, which must be kept in mind.

Requires a Wax Top Coat

Although chalk paint doesn’t really require the use of a primer, it could still be necessary to apply a protecting wax topcoat. It is critical to apply this coat of wax to ensure that the paint for cabinetry remains lasting. When painting with wax, it is possible that you will need to buy specific brushes because the viscosity of wax is far different from that of conventional paint. Painting with wax requires finer paint brushes, that have finer hairs that simplify things to apply wax evenly across the face of whatever you’re painting without producing unsightly brush traces.

Needs Regular Touch-Ups

You’ll make your chalk paint extra susceptible to cracking if you don’t apply a preventative wax topcoat to it once it has dried. However, even if you believe that the painting is dried, this does not always imply that the paint has attached entirely to the material that you are painting over.

It will need to be repainted on a constant basis because it is susceptible to cracking. You will need to do it every month and a half or so. Take into consideration if you’re not prepared to offer your kitchen cabinetry a few touch-ups throughout the course of a calendar year. 

For those who are not bothered by this, and who wish to achieve a rough, powdery appearance with their furniture, it may not be a major drawback for them. Furthermore, if you really want to achieve a more worn and chippy appearance, cream paint can be a good option.

Visible Brush Marks

Using chalk paint, you’ll have to reapply several layers of paint to achieve the desired effect. Paint might leave markings on the surface of the final result if you are not cautious with the brushwork.

If it was not a design aspect that you do want to be included in the final product, you may have to make changes to the concept. If the kitchen cabinetry is constructed of wood, one adjustment you can perform is to begin painting them in the way of the natural wood, rather than the opposite manner. As a result, the painted kitchen cabinetry will have a more consistent and finer surface.

One other issue that you have the ability to adjust is the kind of paint that you have been using. Paints with an extended dry time, including such oil-based paint, are often more effective at preventing unsightly brushwork from appearing. You can also use a special paintbrush with chalk paint, such as a curved paintbrush, to assist you to maintain your lines as smooth as possible.