Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Review
When it comes to types of paint for furniture, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is one of the most popular and beloved options on the market. In this Annie Sloan Chalk Paint review, we will dive into its features, pros and cons, and tips on how to use it on furniture.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® is a decorative furniture paint designed to make painting furniture easy, quick, and reliable. Let’s learn more about this versatile product and why it’s a great choice for your furniture painting needs.
If you’re new to furniture painting, you might be wondering what is chalk paint and might be a bit hesitant about giving it a try. There are so many different types and brands of paint out there, it can be hard to figure out which one is best for your project.
You might even be curious to know what is the difference between chalk paint and regular paint!
Now Annie Sloan Chalk Paint comes into the picture. It’s a name brand that’s been around for decades, and it’s been widely used by both pro painters and DIY-ers.
But what makes it special?
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Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Annie Sloan, a British artist and color expert, actually came up with chalk paint back in 1990.
She was frustrated with the limited decorative furniture options available at the time, so she came up with an all-in-one solution that would save the hassle of using multiple paints for different surfaces and effects.
The end product is what we now know as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, with its iconic versatility and user-friendly nature.
Annie’s vision of creating a paint that anyone, regardless of their skill or experience, could use has definitely come true with this product. And the way it works on furniture has totally changed the game!
Features of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Since its creation, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has been a go-to for painting furniture. It’s made chalk painting easy and accessible for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or a pro, as you really aren’t supposed to have to do any prep work such as sanding or priming.
The formula of this chalk paint is water-based, non-toxic, and virtually odor-free. This makes it safe to use indoors, even with children or pets around. It also has very low VOCs, making it an eco-friendly option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Another reason why Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is a favorite among DIYers is the wide range of colors it offers. With 42 beautiful colors in its collection, there is a color for every style and taste. Here’s our list of the best Annie Sloan chalk paint colors and help you narrow down the best paint colors from the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint line to help you get started on your next project!
You can also easily mix and match to create your own unique colors to better fit your style and home decor.
And let’s talk about versatility because this chalk paint delivers – you can use it on almost any surface, including wood, metal, plastic, concrete, and even fabric. That means you won’t have to get different paints for each surface you’ll be working on.
Pros
- Easy to use, no sanding or priming required
- Low VOCs and non-toxic formula, safe for indoor use
- Versatile, works on multiple surfaces – wood, metal, plastic, fabric, concrete, and more
- Wide range of colors available with the option to mix and match for custom shades
- Water-based and virtually odor-free
- Can be used for various painting techniques and finishes
Cons
- Slightly pricier than other brands of chalk paint
- Sanding and priming required for long lasting, best results
My friend Christina compared Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to 4 other brands of chalk paint in her Which Chalk Paint is Best? blog post. Check it out to learn more about how Annie Sloan’s chalk paint compares.
I’ve featured Annie Sloan Chalk Paint as one of the best chalk paints for kitchen cabinets, check out more options here. Or this turn a headboard into a bench makeover where we used Annie Sloan to repurpose a headboard into a bench.
Where to Buy Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
You can purchase Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and other products through their website and through their global network of over 1200 stockists in more than 50 countries worldwide.
These stockists are trained in the Annie Sloan Method and can offer helpful advice on paint techniques and color options.
Plus, many of them even offer fun workshops where you can learn popular painting techniques and explore a wide range of decorative finishes. You can find an Annie Sloan stockist near you on the Annie Sloan website.
How to Use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on Furniture
As mentioned earlier, one of the greatest things about this chalk paint is that it’s incredibly easy to use, and you don’t need any special skills or equipment. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when creating awesome Annie Sloan chalk painted furniture.
While it’s true that this chalk paint doesn’t require any prepping, it would still be best to do so. Preparing furniture for painting by sanding and priming can lead to better adhesion, smoother finish, and longer-lasting results.
Plus, priming with a stain blocking primer will prevent stains from coming through paint, a nasty thing that happens when you paint wood with water based paints.
So lightly sand your furniture with 220 grit sandpaper.
You can read about the importance of sanding before painting furniture here so you’ll understand why this step is still beneficial. We also discussed the best sandpaper for furniture painting options in this post so you know which one to choose and use.
I use a clear shellac primer before painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint as well. Actually, this applies to all brands of chalk style paint.
Our tutorial on how to chalk paint furniture goes into more detail on these prep steps and helps you understand how they contribute to the overall success of your furniture painting project.
For topcoats for painting furniture, we recommend using a water-based polyurethane. It’ll give you both long-lasting and great-looking results! You can learn how to apply polyacrylic to painted furniture with our step-by-step guide.
To make it easier to clean and to guarantee the durability of matte chalk paint, it’s a good idea to apply a topcoat with a satin or higher sheen. While wax is a popular choice, it’s not the best option for furniture that gets used.
It’s less durable than polyurethane and you’ll need to reapply it every 6 months or so. Read more about wax vs. polyurethane to make the best choice for your project.
It’s clear that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is not just any ordinary paint. It’s the original, unique, non-toxic formula, with a wide range of colors, versatility, and its user-friendliness makes it a must-have for anyone looking to revamp their furniture or home decor.
Plus, with its accessibility through a global network of stockists, it’s never been easier to get your hands on this game-changing paint.
More Furniture Paint Reviews
- Waverly Chalk Paint Review
- Rustoleum Chalk Paint Review
- Behr Chalk Paint Review
- Rustoleum Chalk Spray Paint
- Wise Owl One Hour Enamel
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