chalk paint on kitchen cabinets?

[Betty1980]

Hi. does anyone have any experience good or bad of painting vinyl wrapped kitchen cabinet doors? I was thinking of trying chalk paint (maybe annie sloan unless any other recommendations) as that claims to not need a primer but not sure what protection it would need as a top coat.

[IssyStark]

Not sure about primer as I've only ever done blackboard paint on previously emulsioned walls or glossed doors, but if you want to use it as a blackboard then you don't need any sealant top coat. However you will need to do at least two, preferably three coats.
We've always used international's blackboard paint (available from homebase as well as other places).

[JegHarMalingiMitHar]

I'm doing this right now. Just taking a break now. I found the first coat went on easily enough although it was obvious it would need a second coat.

When I went back to put on the second coat I found the paint clumpy, almost like a paste. I added water to it to make it thinner. That made it go on easier but it is drying with a few visible 'runs'. it's not terrible. I think it will be ok.

But tbh because the cupboards were in good nick (laminate, but not in bad condition) I'm wishing I hadn't been influenced by the fashion for chalk paint. I think I should have painted them with a primer and then put a grey gloss over them. I think that would have worked better and been less work.

Now, I have done about three coats and it still does not look done. I will update you with the final look though!

Good luck.

[youbethemummylion]

Chalk paint is a pain to seal properly, you get it looking great then go to add the wax and it looks shite! Unless you are painting natural wood and want to go for the weathered/distressed look I would stay away from it.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I'm hoping to do this as I love the matt finish of ASCP. From extensive googling, lots of people use a standard water based varnish (Ronseal I think is often recommended but lots of the bloggers who've done it are American so use different brands).

I also suspect you get a better finish with the wax if you use a brush rather than a cloth.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Jeg - I think Annie Sloan recommends dipping the brush in water before dipping it in the paint if this happens as it stops the drag effect.

Looking forward to your update.

[JegHarMalingiMitHar]

I have a polyeurethane varnish. My colleague does a lot of annie sloan and he told me that waxing kitchen cupboards wasn't ideal, that it would have to be done every few months. I can't do that! So he recommended the polyeurethan. Apparently the colour i'm using is dark enough (french linen) that it shouldn't yellow over time but he said he wouldn't use a varnish over a paler colouur.

[JegHarMalingiMitHar]

I need to do another coat before I start letting it dry though. So I won't start to varnish til monday i think.

[TalkinPeace]

Do you have pets?
Just that chalk paint stays dusty for ever and some dogs get very wheezy around it

[Betty1980]

So in theory it should stick to the laminate without any problems?

[AnythingNotEverything]

Yes - chalk paint apparently covers anything.

[Devora]

Chalk paint will work, but I'm not convinced it will be tough enough for this use. I have chalk painted a load of kitchen furniture and it does get bashed and chipped - which is fine on old furniture, but not such a good look on kitchen units.

I painted my wood-effect melamine units with a special primer, followed by a couple of coats of hardwearing kitchen paint. I did that four years ago, and just this week put on another coat to freshen it up, but it has lasted fine. You can also get kitchen cupboard paint but the colours are really limited.

[RaphaellaTheSpanishWaterDog]

I've chalk painted the base part of a free-standing butcher's block, then given it a rub over with Annie Sloan wax and it has stood up to knocks incredibly well....even with two mad dogs charging round the kitchen like loons.....can't remember what actual chalk paint I used though.

[Devora]

Yes, but was that straight onto bare wood, Raphaella? I find that where I have painted onto bare wood the chalk paint works very well. But where i have painted over varnished wood it is showing wear and tear much quicker. Which I don't mind in a chair but would mind on my kitchen units.

[Betty1980]

Devora when you say kitchen paint do you mean just a washable emulsion?

[Devora]

I think kitchen paint is washable and moisture resistant, isn't it? But we're mucky pups in my house - I would think a normal washable emulsion would also work fine.

[Betty1980]

Don't suppose you remember the name of the primer?

[Gozogozo]

A good primer for this is ESP.

[paneer]

following this. I want to do the same

[gemmalou123]

I paint furniture & kitchens for a living. I'd reccomended Autentico superior eggshell, or sand prime & farrow and ball estate eggshell.

[Betty1980]

gemmalou authentic have some nice colours - can I use that on vinyl kitchen doors without having to prime and would it need a protective top coat?

[TheOnlyWayIsLindt]

I'd use eggshell or satinwood. I painted a kitchen door with Annie Sloan paint and it hasn't stood up to the knocks, bumps, wear and tear of family life. I did it in the summer and already it looks awful. I'll be stripping it off and repainting soon.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Lindt - did you use a top coat/varnish/wax?

[TheOnlyWayIsLindt]

Yes, several coats of the Annie Sloan wax.

I don't think it was my technique as I've used it with some success on a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I didn't mean it as a criticism Lindt

I've painted lots of stuff with ASCP and wax and have heard that wax isn't a good enough top coat for a kitchen area.

I would be very interested in the experience of someone who'd used a varnish and was struggling with longevity.

[TheOnlyWayIsLindt]

Oh didn't see it as a criticism at all!

I wonder if varnish would work with the chalk paint? Would it ruin the look of the chalky finish? I'd be interested to know as I've got a kitchen table that I need to paint but but I don't really know what to paint it with.