Chalk Painting Cabinets 101
/Hello friends! Summer is winding down to a close but before I bring out my Fall decorations, I'm choosing to enjoy every bit of warmth from these last summer days! I hope you are, too!
If you read my last blog post, you will see that I recently stenciled my Butler's Pantry walls. After my walls were done, I noticed that my cabinets didn't quite go with my new stencil. Oh boy! Well, if you're like me....one project seems to lead to another. :-)
When I painted my kitchen cabinets several years ago, I used Sherwin Williams latex paint. Click below to read more about this project.
For this project of painting my Butler's Pantry cabinets, I decided to try chalk paint. Hey, I'm always up for a new challenge! ;-)
Before:
These cabinets were painted in a light gray/taupe color but they just didn't go with my new stencil.
After:
I painted these with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Pure White - and sealed them with clear wax.
I really love how these bright white cabinets mix with this new stencil. Here is a brief tutorial on how I painted these.
Supplies Needed:
1. Chalk Paint (I used Annie Sloan - Pure White)
2. Wax or Sealant (I used Annie Sloan wax - Clear) and bristle brush for applying
3. Foam Roller and brush (1" angled brush is the size I used to get around hinges)
4. Paint pan (I cover mine with aluminum foil which makes for a quick clean-up)
5. Frog Tape to tape off any areas you don't want to get paint on
6. Disposable gloves
Note: With chalk paint, you will not have to take your cabinets off of the hinges because the paint is thicker than latex paint. Therefore, the paint will not run. However, you may choose to take them off and that is completely fine! Also, there is no sanding needed for this project!
Steps:
1. Take off existing hardware from cabinets.
2. Pour paint into pan and begin by painting inside edges of cabinet with brush.
3. Then, use the foam roller to paint the inside of the cabinets and edges.
Make sure you're leaving a smooth finish and keeping an eye on any areas that are not even.
Now for the insides of my cabinets.....which are the original maple wood....I simply repeated the process.
Use your angled brush to go around hinges.
1st coat using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Pure White over maple cabinets
4. Let dry and repeat steps. For unpainted wood, you will probably need 3 coats. If you're painting over wood that's been painted already, you can get by with 2 coats.
Second coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Pure White
Second coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Pure White
I painted the insides of my cabinets with 3 coats because this paint was going right over unpainted wood. I painted the outside of my cabinets with 2 coats because it was going over painted wood.
5. Now it's time to seal your cabinets. I used Annie Sloan clear wax and it's holding up really well on my cabinets. You place a little bit of wax on a paper plate and then dip your brush into the wax. Begin to rub the wax onto the painted cabinet using circular motions. If you look at your cabinets from the side, you can tell what places you need to add more wax. Don't go too heavy, though. You can always add more. Next, take a lint-free cloth and buff the wax so that it leaves a smooth finish. Rub your hand across the cabinet to make sure it feels smooth.
A little wax goes a long way
Use circular motions to apply the wax into the paint then buff with a lint free cloth.
6. Let the wax dry for 30 min. or so and then attach hardware.
7. Enjoy the look of your new cabinets!
Chalk painting cabinets with Annie Sloan - Pure White. Notice how smooth the finish is!
This project took me approximately 3 hours but I don't have too many cabinets in this space. I found that using chalk paint is much easier than using latex paint mainly because you don't have to take your cabinets down and the drying time for chalk paint is much faster than latex paint.
So far my cabinets are holding up great! I'm really impressed with Annie Sloan chalk paint and how easy it was to paint my cabinets. I think I may try to paint a few of my bathroom vanities next!
Let me know if you have any questions as I would love to help you if you're considering painting your cabinets. I will let you know how these hold up compared to my latex painted cabinets in a future blog!
Happy decorating from my home to yours -
