Chalk Paint 101 for Beginners

Painting furniture with chalk paint can be a fun and creative way to give your home a fresh new look. But what exactly is chalk paint, what's so great about it and how do you use it?
Plain Jane Chalk Paint offers a uniquely beautiful matt finish and requires very minimal prep. Unlike most paints, chalk paint adheres extremely well to most surfaces, including wood, metal, and even plastic. It also dries quickly, allowing you to complete your project in next to no time!
I'm going to show you how to upcycle a piece of furniture using my chalk paint. I'll demonstrate how to transform your furniture quickly and easily with some basic chalk painting techniques. Including how to seal your work so that it stays in perfect condition!
Ready for more?
Are you wanting to step boldly into your creative self and discover the little-known techniques to painting beautiful and authentically aged furniture finishes?
➡️ Sign up to my mini course Paint Beautifully Aged Furniture- Learn the Secrets to Layering Chalk Paint ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ courses.plainjanepaints.com/c...
I’ll show you a project from start to finish, share some easy-to-follow techniques for layering colour and give you a step-by-step process to creating your own stunning aged furniture finish.
➡️ Join me in The Art of Chalk Paint - Master Stunning Paint & Patina Finishes for Good ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ courses.plainjanepaints.com/c...
An immersive online course where I’ll share all the secrets to creating aged patina that have taken me years to learn. You’ll discover how to create authentic patina and beautiful aged finishes that don’t look painted on!
Get my FREE download 5 Chalk Paint Tricks to Try
plainjanepaints.com/pages/cha...
Discover more paint inspiration plainjanepaints.com

[@ingridsorensen9898]

THIS is what i needed to understand..that wax closes pores and the reason is so the chalk paint doesnt absorb stains easily...ive watched 100s of videos but had never seen that explained..so thank you!🙂

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re very welcome! 😊

[@anitamarcotte1382]

Chalk paint is so expensive, can't you use a flat paint instead?

[@udenihewagama2478]

You are the only one that I have found among 100 of vedios ,who clearly explains what is chalk painting..Most of others are doing self marketing...None of them explains it to the point..I got what I needed..Thanks a lot..Keep doing more vedios...I am from Sri lanka..

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks so much for the feedback and great to hear you found the video useful! ☺️

[@dyuti89]

I have been interested in chalk paint and reviving my old furniture for a while and have watched dozens of videos; this is the most helpful till date! Thank you so much!

[@plainjane.paints]

That’s really lovely to hear thank you. I hope you enjoy getting into a few chalk paint projects 😊

[@genna2586]

Wonderful tutorial with step by step instructions on basic techniques for chalk painting. Really helpful.

[@joycorley5493]

Thank you so much for the tutorial, Jane! Pretty new to chalk painting and enjoyed most you showing how to apply the dry brushing technique! You are a natural at teaching.😊

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks very much! So glad to hear you found it helpful 😊

[@littlebrookreader949]

Thank you! Very smooth! Nice!

[@franciskamarsh8497]

Thank you so very much...how clear & wonderful ur directions are...& a total delight listening to your lovely voice ...🪷

[@plainjane.paints]

Thank you so much for the lovely feedback! Glad you enjoyed watching ☺️

[@grettalemabouchou6779]

Thank you Madame. I love the idea of giving new life to pieces.❤

[@plainjane.paints]

That’s fantastic, me too! Thanks for watching ☺️

[@debiwaleski1797]

This is a wonderful explanation about chalk paint on furniture. Thank you so much!!

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome, and thanks for watching! ☺️

[@tampagirl7533]

love this! going to try it!

[@plainjane.paints]

Great! Have fun 😊

[@theconsciouscorgi2103]

Thanks ! This was very helpful!

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@roswithakeil7619]

Thx for this tutorial ❤️👍👍

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 😊

[@amwilliams2006]

Thank you

[@shirleyjohnson3397]

Thank you for a detailed tutorial. I love the color on this piece.❤

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching ☺️

[@inthekitchen8842]

So pretty!❤

[@SunCity95]

Lots of good information. Starting to feel a bit more confident that I can do something like this. Thank you 😊

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re so welcome, glad it was useful. Thanks for watching 😊

[@fayadalmasri417]

Thank you!!! your video was very helpful

[@plainjane.paints]

That’s great to hear! Thanks for watching ☺️

[@brendaalbaugh8927]

Thanks great info!

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome! Glad you found it useful 😊

[@LenaBrie]

this is so helpful! Thank you so much for such a detailed overview! I am now looking forward to try flipping few pieces with chalk pain!

[@plainjane.paints]

That’s great to hear! Glad you found the videos helpful, thanks for watching ☺️

[@norinemueller4588]

What a great video thank you

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re very welcome, thanks for watching ☺️

[@sweetpollypurebred1139]

Loved you video, thank you very much.❤

[@plainjane.paints]

That’s great to hear! Thanks for watching ☺️

[@Spokentoandsaved]

Best video ever

[@plainjane.paints]

Wow that’s a lovely comment thank you ☺️

[@userMelC]

I am so happy I found this channel. I am about to try using chalk paint on a picture frame (starting small) so this is extremely helpful 😊

[@plainjane.paints]

That’s great to hear! Great idea to start small- have fun with your project 😊

[@katharinatrub1338]

I am a Beginner and enjoyed your Video very much ! Thank you!! ; ))

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re very welcome, thanks for watching 😊

[@maryoconnell3857]

Thank you for this video. I am still learning about chalk paint. I used Annie Sloan chalk paint, and then used dark wax BEFORE I used any white wax. I ruined the paint job and have to sand the piece down and start again!! Live and learn!!

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching. It’s an easy mistake to make and I’m sorry to hear you had to sand it all off. I hope you’re still enjoying chalk painting! 😊

[@attiyadar6800]

Thanks for your help with Talate u r the only one who explains very truely .I am learning about painting furniture.great full from Pakistan❤

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks for watching and for the lovely feedback! 😄

[@marniemonfort7719]

That was really cool technique. I've never done it with a dry brush...I'll try that next project

[@plainjane.paints]

Great to hear you’re going to give it a go! And thanks for watching ☺️

[@AusWorkshop]

Thanks for your very helpful video. I'm about to do my kitchen and wondered about the wax as I love using it over the oil on my chopping boards. Can't wait to try wax over the chalk paint. I bet it feels silky. Looks great what you've done there.

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks so much for watching glad you found it useful! The wax does give a lovely velvety finish to the paint 😊

[@imsmallfry]

i went into this video not knowing anything about paint or furniture but i came away feeling like I learned something! Thanks for such an informative and relaxing video. I might use this if I decide to repaint my bookcase!

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome! That’s really good to hear. Glad you found it useful 😊

[@jacquecross1887]

Very well done video! Thank you Jane. I spent a couple of hours looking for a video just like yours! You are a natural at teaching! I want to get into chalk painting. Would you recommend chalk paint for kitchen cabinets?

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the video :) Yes you can definitely use the paint on kitchen cupboards. I would seal it with a clear Matt varnish instead of wax so that it’s fully scrubbable!

[@user-yg8wx9pb7y]

I'm Ann.... I've watched this video so many times to get a good idea of how you spread the paint. I'm working on a display cabinet shelves and I'm not happy with the technique I'm using from another person's video. Thank you for this demonstration.

[@plainjane.paints]

Hi Ann, I’m really glad to hear that the video was helpful. Good luck with your project and thanks for watching ☺️

[@rburns9248]

Beautifully done. Newbie here and you taught me a few things. Thank you. Do you have a link to the wax?

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks so much glad you found it useful! Here is the link to our waxes plainjanepaints.com/collections/waxes-oils 😊

[@peacestic]

Very useful video ❤. Subbed..... You removed all my doubts .. I'm just curious: Can we use chalk paint for modern pieces as well?

[@plainjane.paints]

Thank you I’m glad you found it helpful! Yes absolutely you can use it on modern pieces too 😊

[@creativeedge5479]

Which color is this?

[@JC-dc7yd]

Hi Jane! Which color did you use for this particular piece of furniture? I love it and would like to buy it.

[@plainjane.paints]

Hi! I created a 50:50 mix of Mud Pie and Paperbark for this piece 😊

[@melissawright7012]

What colour is that, it’s beautiful ❤

[@plainjane.paints]

It’s a 50/50 mix of Mud Pie and Paperbark 😊

[@rosemariegrover561]

Great tutorial! I have an old patio set, made of metal. It's peeling in some areas, do I have to sand the peeling areas first?

[@plainjane.paints]

You will need to remove the peeling paint. If you paint over an unstable surface like peeling paint then the next layer can’t adhere properly. Scrape off the peeling paint and sand the area smooth before painting 👍😊

[@cleo1034]

Lovely! Can you give me the link to the starter kit you mentioned, please.

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks so much for watching! Here is the link to the Beginners Pack plainjanepaints.com/products/beginners-project-pack 😊

[@caroljena]

What is the color of that paint that you are using in this video. It’s very nice.

[@plainjane.paints]

Thank you! It’s a 50/50 mix of Paperbark and Mud Pie 😊

[@samjennison]

I’m wondering if your paints are suitable for spraying? Great videos.

[@plainjane.paints]

Thanks very much! Yes you can spray the paints. Water them down by about 15-20% 👍

[@GingerRootable]

4 coats!

[@UIV7096]

Thank you i use chalk paint all the time.. this really help. Ty. Do you have any videos on how to use chalk paint on the mirror ( not frame, mixed with gold leaf flakes) ? And is this possible?

[@plainjane.paints]

I don’t have any videos on painting over a mirror but it certainly is possible to use the paint on glass 😊

[@user-uj3iv7fx9o]

Thanks for this! Just about to do my first piece 🫨. What type of paint did you use of the ‘dry brushing’ ?

[@plainjane.paints]

You’re welcome! Exciting to be doing your first piece 🤩. I used Plain Jane paint in the colour Mallow for the dry brushing ☺️

[@angelabrown1992]

​@@plainjane.paintsAnd it was also chalk paint...?

[@plainjane.paints]

Yes it was also chalk paint 😊

[@gracebailey1288]

Did u use the same colour paint for the dry brushing?

[@plainjane.paints]

The dry brushing is a different colour called Mallow, it’s a soft white 😊

[@egoranonymous3223]

Hi Jane, could you offer some advice? I want to use a dark Oxford Blue chalk paint on an old dresser and do a faux bone inlay stencil in a pearlized white. The issue is that I need a durable finish and it sounds like polycrylic may appear cloudy on the dark blue but the polyurethane may yellow the white. The piece will get heavy use so it will need to be protected, but I'm afraid to start the hours of work only to have a cloudy or yellowed top coat.

[@plainjane.paints]

Hi there, sounds like a lovely project. If you use a good quality water based polyurethane you shouldn’t get any yellowing 👍

[@egoranonymous3223]

@@plainjane.paints Thank you so much! I'm sure you're busy so I appreciate it very much. ❤

[@user-yg8pf1ds7f]

I think I am going to have a problem with tannins bleeding. Can I use a water based shellac first?

[@plainjane.paints]

You can certainly use a stain blocking primer before painting if you think you’ll have tannin bleed through 👍

[@misbahmalik]

Did u mix anything in chalk paint of u just pour little amount in the bowl ? Is chalk paint come ready to use in the tin ?

[@plainjane.paints]

The paint comes pre mixed in the tin. You can decant a little into a container if you want so you don’t keep dipping your brush back into the tin. That way you keep it clean but you don’t have to 😊

[@debrahurst1319]

Do you slightly dampen your brush with water before using paint: Acrylics, chalk or latex?

[@plainjane.paints]

If the weather is very dry and hot I will sometimes keep a jar of water next to me to dampen bristles before dipping into the paint. Most of the time it’s not needed but very dependent on the conditions 👍😊

[@AbbieLiburd]

@@plainjane.paints what brand and color is this that you used. i am looking for this for a country table and buffet table

[@trishg4956]

Can you use chalk paint on leather furniture

[@plainjane.paints]

Yes you can 👍

[@patbraden4342]

How eas the texyure fown on tje eall you are sitting in front of

[@plainjane.paints]

That’s the original old back wall of our cottage, it’s made from sandstone 😊

[@CustomWoodWorkDecor]

Hello! We are new to chalk painting and having a bit of trouble with applying a topcoat. I’ve let my design dry for days but when I brush polycrylic on top, it still smears onto my wood. I apply chalk paint with a foam roller. Does anyone know what I can do differently? Thank you so much.

[@CustomWoodWorkDecor]

Also, I use the chalk paint to paint stencil designs on wood btw.

[@plainjane.paints]

Hi there, It’s hard to comment without knowing exactly which type of paint and topcoat you are using but it sounds like the topcoat is reactivating the paint. Chalk paint should be very well dried and adhered after a few days

[@CustomWoodWorkDecor]

@@plainjane.paints thank you for responding. I’m using Behr chalk paint from Home Depot and Minwax Polycrylic.

[@josmith2002]

❤❤❤❤🍎🍎🍎🍎😊😊😊😊

[@deelauzon9945]

What is that color?????

[@plainjane.paints]

It’s a 50/50 mix of Paperbark and Mud Pie 😊

[@judygray9985]

Can you paint a real rock fireplace when it has polyurethane on it?

[@plainjane.paints]

Yes you can! 👍😊

[@kathylynn2397]

is the paint color some where

[@plainjane.paints]

This was a 50/50 mix of Mud Pie and Paperbark 😊