Mineral Paint Vs Chalk Paint

When painting furniture, the paint you use matters just as much as your color choice or technique. In this post, we’ll be discussing 2 popular types of paint for furnituremineral paint vs chalk paint. We’ll dive into their differences, similarities, and share with you the paint brands we use and love.

If you’re considering these paints for your next furniture project, you can learn about each of them and how they compare to each other here. So let’s jump into the world of mineral paint and chalk paint!

mineral paint vs chalk paint

Choosing the paint for your furniture projects can be just as exciting as finding the perfect piece to paint. But with so many options available, it can also be overwhelming to decide which type of paint is best suited for your project.

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Mineral paint and chalk paint are two popular choices for furniture painting, each with their own unique characteristics and benefits. So which one should you choose?

We’ll break down each type of paint and compare them based on coverage, durability, finish, and ease of use. We’ll share the mineral paints and chalk paints we have used, along with our experiences and results with each one.

What is Mineral Paint?

Let’s start with the basics – what exactly is mineral paint? It’s a type of paint that has natural minerals and pigments, resulting in rich and vibrant colors. These minerals are usually mixed with a binder, like acrylic resin, to create a strong and durable finish.

examples of mineral paint

One of the best things about mineral paint is its coverage. You can easily get full coverage with just one or two coats, making furniture painting quick and efficient. It’s also super durable, making it perfect for high traffic furniture or pieces that will be exposed to the outdoors.

When using mineral paint, you can also expect a matte finish with a slight silky sheen. This gives your furniture a modern and stylish look, without being too shiny or glossy.

What is Chalk Paint?

Meanwhile, chalk paint is a water based paint that dries with a chalky texture, giving your furniture a vintage or shabby chic look. It’s super easy to distress, so you can create a rustic or aged finish with just a bit of sanding.

Chalk paints

However, this also means that without a topcoat, the paint can easily be scratched or worn off. It’ll also be hard to clean, so it’s important to seal chalk paint with a water based polyurethane for added durability and protection.

Chalk Paint vs Mineral Paint

Now let’s look at these 2 paints side by side. Actually, chalk paint and mineral paint are very similar! They both have a matte finish and adhere well to furniture.

But the thing with matte paint is that it can look a little dusty and get dirty easily. So to make cleaning easier and keep your paint looking fresh, you’ll want to seal your mineral or chalk paint with a satin topcoat. This will give your furniture a subtle sheen and protect the paint from wear and tear as well.

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Best Mineral Paints for Furniture

We’ve established that mineral paint and chalk paint have similar characteristics and benefits, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Here are a few mineral paint brands we’ve tried and tested!

Fusion Mineral Paint

One of the best mineral paints for furniture would be Fusion Mineral Paint. This high quality, water based paint is incredibly easy to use – you can apply it with a brush, roller, or even a paint sprayer. The consistency of this paint is just right – not too thick and not too thin.

brushing on fusion mineral paint onto furniture

You can also choose from over 65 colors, so there’s a shade for every style and preference. This paint covers very well too, so you don’t need to apply many coats to get the coverage you need – which saves you time and money.

It dries quickly and to a hard finish that is resistant to chips, scratches, and fading – which makes this paint incredibly durable on its own. But if you want extra protection and a different finish, you can apply a water based polyurethane topcoat over Fusion Mineral Paint.

Fusion mineral paint resistant to scratches

The only downside to Fusion Mineral Paint is that it can be a bit more expensive (especially if compared to regular latex paint), and it’s only available online or through local retailers, so you may have to plan ahead when using this paint. Here’s our honest Fusion Mineral paint review to see our personal experience using this paint.

Pros

  • Excellent coverage
  • Durable and resistant to wear and tear
  • Wide range of colors to choose from
  • Can be applied with different tools (brush, roller, sprayer)
  • Quick drying time

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive than other paints
  • Only available online or through local retailers

Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint

Have you heard of Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint? It’s a water based, non-toxic paint that is perfect for creating a vintage or shabby chic look on your furniture. Its ultra-matte finish gives off a charming and rustic vibe, perfect if you’re going for the farmhouse style.

brushing on dixie belle paint onto furniture

It has great coverage, and can easily adhere to most surfaces. It even levels out better than most chalk style paints, giving you a smooth finish without any brush strokes. However, like most chalk paint, it will need a topcoat for durability and protection.

As we mentioned above, a matte finish is not the most practical when it comes to furniture. But you can easily change the sheen by applying a topcoat with a satin or semi-gloss sheen. This will not only make your furniture easier to clean, but will also give it a more modern and polished look. Check out our Dixie Belle paint review for more details about this paint.

spraying topcoat onto furniture

Pros

  • Waterbased and non-toxic
  • Smooth and even finish without brush strokes
  • Great coverage and adhesion to most surfaces

Cons

  • Matte finish requires a topcoat for durability and practicality

Best Chalk Paints for Furniture

Let’s talk chalk paint brands! We also have a few favorites when it comes to chalk paint, and you’ll see why. These are some of the top chalk paint brands we use and highly recommend for furniture.

Country Chic Paint

Let’s start with Country Chic Paint. It has excellent coverage and adhesion, meaning you’ll need fewer coats to get the job done. Plus, it dries quickly, so you can finish your project in no time! And did we mention that it’s very low VOC and certified safe for children’s furniture by European Toy Safety Standards?

country chic paint in dune grass

One thing we’ve noticed with Country Chic Paint is that it can be tricky to get a brush free finish. This means that you might have some visible brush strokes on your furniture unless you use a high quality brush or a paint sprayer.

applying country chic paint using a paint sprayer

They do offer 55 colors in their collection, which is a lot but it may not be as extensive as other brands. You can order their products online or find a local retailer near you. For a more detailed guide about this paint here’s our honest Country Chic paint review!

Pros

  • Great coverage and adhesion
  • Low VOC and safe for use on children’s furniture
  • Quick drying time

Cons

  • Can leave visible brush strokes if not using the right tools
  • Limited color range compared to other brands
  • Only available online or through local retailers

Waverly Chalk Paint

waverly chalk paint in vintage moss

Have you tried Waverly Chalk Paint yet? We love this paint for its affordability, adhesion, and low VOC formula. It also dries quickly, making your projects easier and quicker to complete. Plus, if you thin it with a bit of water, you can get a brush free finish for smooth and even coverage on your furniture.

brushing on waverly chalk paint onto furniture

Their color selection is a bit limited with only 28 shades available, but if you find one that works for your project, it’s definitely worth trying out. You can only order Waverly Chalk Paint online, but you can check your local Walmart to see if they have it in store!

You can read more on everything you need to know about Waverly Chalk Paint here, and we also have a Waverly Chalk Paint review if you want to read our personal experience with it.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Low VOC formula
  • Quick drying time
  • Can get brush free finish when thinned with water

Cons

  • Limited color selection
  • Only available online or at select Walmart stores

Homemade Chalk Paint

If you’re on a budget or just enjoy the satisfaction of making things from scratch, then homemade chalk paint might be perfect for you!

Basically, you just need some latex paint, water, and a few other simple ingredients to create your own custom chalk paint. Here’s our homemade chalk paint recipe and these chalk paint recipes you can easily follow!

creating homemade chalk paint

Yes, it’s super easy, and you get to have unlimited color options. Plus, homemade chalk paint is low VOC and odor, making it a safer option for your health and the environment.

But of course, you’ll have to take into consideration that homemade chalk paint may not have the same level of adhesion as store bought brands, so it’s even more important you do proper prep work beforehand.

You also have to take the time and effort to make the paint yourself, but it can definitely be worth it for the cost savings and customization options. Give it a try and see what you think!

applying homemade chalk paint onto furniture using a paint sprayer

So, which one should you choose – mineral paint or chalk paint? Again, they are very similar, if not the same. Both have low VOC formulas, come in a range of colors, and can be used on various surfaces.

It really depends on which brand has the specific features you’re looking for, such as quick drying time or great coverage. You can also consider the price point and availability. Just remember to always properly prep your furniture before painting and don’t skip the topcoat for long lasting results.

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2 Comments

  1. I absolutely love all the information that you give out. I’ve learnt so much from you. Love seeing all the posts you do for inspiration!

    1. A Ray of Sunlight says:

      Aww so glad to know you’ve learned a lot and got inspiration through our posts. That means a lot! Thanks Anita!!

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