A Better Alternative To Chalk Paint (Best Type of Paint for Wood)
A Cheaper, Easier, and More Durable Chalk Paint Alternative
For those of you that want the appearance of chalk paint without the cost and hassle, I’ve found a process that gives you the same look but without the high cost… With my better alternative to chalk paint, you can even achieve the aged look of dark wax without the extra time involved and I’ll show you the best type of paint for wood furniture.
Why is this furniture technique better than using chalk paint and wax?
- This product is MUCH less expensive. I give a full cost break-down in my post Why I Don’t Use Chalk Paint, showing the drastic expense of chalk paint versus my favorite paint for furniture.
- Not only is it much cheaper, but it is also easier to use. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to waxing furniture. With this technique, you can get the same look of dark wax with much less effort.
- This product is also much more durable, providing a long-lasting finish for years to come.
- This paint does not have to be sealed with wax. Did you know that if chalk paint is not sealed with wax, it will actually re-liquefy if a cold drink is left on it?
- As opposed to chalk paint, this process gives you almost unlimited color options. This allows you to better coordinate existing room details or to match another piece of furniture.
- Last, the supplies are much easier to find as opposed to going to a specialty store.
RELATED: How to Paint Over Furniture That Has Been Chalk Painted and Waxed
A Better Alternative to Chalk Painting Furniture – Supplies:
- After I blind-tested and reviewed 24 furniture paints, I recommend Benjamin Moore Advance. You can see the full results for each paint brand here: The Absolute Best Paint for Furniture
- 1 Quart Primer – If your paint is light or white, don’t tint the primer. If it is dark, tint the primer the same color. Just ask them to help you at the paint counter. It doesn’t have to be an exact match – just darker than white to give you better coverage. I opt for a shade a little lighter than my final coat.
- 1 Paint Brush
- Varathane Water-based Polyurethane Matte Finish is my favorite clear coat after testing them here: The Best Clear Coat for Furniture
- Don’t forget to download my Best Furniture Painting Tips and Tricks Printable for FREE HERE.
Chalk Paint: Dark Wax Alternative Supplies:
Valspar Clear Mixing Glaze and a sample pot of Behr Ashwood (both optional).
Best Alternative to Chalk Paint – The Process
1. Lightly Sand Your Furniture Piece
Many readers ask me how to paint wood furniture without sanding. Unfortunately, if you don’t sand, you risk wasting all of your time and effort because of paint that won’t stick.
Fortunately, sanding, if done correctly, should not take you more than 5 minutes with very little effort on your part because you are barely roughing up the surface of the wood to accept paint. You are not sanding to take off all of the old paint as I explain in my post How to Sand Furniture in Less Than 5 Minutes.
After taking off all hardware, sand your piece using a mouse sander (click here for my favorite low-cost sander). Just gently go over the surface to rough it up some. You don’t want to try to take off the existing paint or stain, you just want to take off the shine.
Spend more time on scratches and dents as needed. Once you are done, wipe it down with a moist rag. See my post on how to sand furniture with an electric sander.
2. How to Prime Furniture
For this dresser, I used Zinsser Bullseye 123 in white. This is a water-based tintable primer which means that you can have it tinted just like paint. This allows your primer coat to not only adhere well but also to help with coverage by tinting it. This will more than likely save you from an extra coat of paint. It also settles out really well as it dries meaning that it doesn’t show brush strokes easily.
How to Paint Furniture White
For lighter projects, I just go with a white primer, just as it is in the can. Also, if you are matching other white furniture, be sure to match it to the white on a paint deck as there are hundreds of shades of white. For a post full of tips, click here: The Best Time-Saving Tips to Paint Furniture White
How to Paint Furniture Black
For black or gray projects, I have a gallon of gray primer on hand. If I was painting a piece navy, I would get my primer tinted a slightly lighter shade of navy. Having a tinted primer minimizes the number of coats. (Your primer doesn’t need to match your paint color. It just needs to be a stepping stone to build upon.) Click here for more tips for painting furniture in dark colors.
Before you start any furniture project, be sure to download my FREE Tips for Painting Furniture for any project. Don’t start a project without them!
3. Latex Paint – The Best Alternative to Chalk Paint for Furniture
The primer takes only 30 minutes to dry. When you’re ready, paint the piece with a roller like THIS one. It will also save time on your entire project and gives you a much smoother finish than painting with a brush.
You can also add a product called Floetrol to your paint to minimize brush strokes. I do this often and love the smooth finish I get every time. Just read the instructions on the bottle for how much to add and mix it in.
As I mentioned in my post Why I Don’t Use Chalk Paint on Furniture, I counter several claims when many argue why to use chalk paint vs. regular paint. My experience is with high-end brands of specialty chalk paint. I didn’t compare chalk paint reviews for the best chalk paint but I feel strongly that any paint with a chalk-based paint component like Valspar chalk paint and even Rustoleum chalk paint will be an inferior product.
Often one of the main criteria for the quality of paint is whether it has additives like calcium carbonate (the main ingredient of many chalk paints and homemade chalk paint recipes). The more of these additives the less durability the product will have long-term.
4. A Better Alternative to Chalk Paint Wax
Now, say you want to achieve the same look of dark wax without the cost and hassle. After your coat of latex paint is dry, mix together a 50/50 mix of the Valspar Clear Glazing Mix and your sample container of paint.
My sample color is Behr Ashwood (Home Depot) which is the same color as Valspar Beige Shadow(Lowe’s,) depending on the paint on the store you are at.
Once it is mixed, paint it on your dresser. See how I obviously missed areas – that’s ok! It will spread out when we go to wipe – this process is fail-proof! (The gray I’m using is Behr Cosmic Quest.)
Many readers have asked me where to buy chalk paint but the nice thing about this process is that all the products are easy to find at your local home improvement store.
Once I painted on the streaks and covered the majority of the piece I took a baby wipe and started wiping it off. (Pamper’s seem to work well for some reason). This is a really easy process as the glazing medium allows the paint to stay wet giving you plenty of time to work with it.
You just keep wiping with your baby wipes in long strokes in the direction of your piece to get the look you want to achieve.
You cannot mess this up – just keep wiping until you get the look you want. I love how it gives it that vintage look and it will work with any base color – you might just have to wipe more or less depending on the look you want. (Although I’m using a glazing medium, this process is actually called “color washing”.)
Should You Add a Clear Coat on Painted Furniture?
For furniture that undergoes a LOT of wear and tear like our coffee table or my daughter’s desk, I added a couple of coats of General Finishes Flat Out Flat clear coat (check the current price here) for extra durability. To see a video of how to apply it, click here: Best Chalk Paint Top Coat.
What I love about this clear coat is that it will give you the same sheen as chalk paint. Just paint on the topcoat with a foam brush like this one. These brushes are so cheap that you can just throw them away when you are done.
The Best Type of Paint for Wood Furniture
If I didn’t use this process, the alternative would have been to wax with clear wax and then wax with dark wax to get that look. Both of those steps take a lot of time and there is a definite learning curve with waxing.
As I mentioned in my post Why I Don’t Use Chalk Paint, waxed furniture has to be maintained by re-waxing every so often. With this better alternative to chalk paint, your piece will look fabulous for decades to come with no maintenance!
More Furniture Makeovers
I used the same process on these furniture makeovers and have had amazing results. All of these furniture pieces have sentimental value so using this process guarantees they will have a beautiful finish for years to come. You can see my best furniture reveals here: 25 Stunning Painted Furniture Before and Afters
How to Faux Stain Furniture (6 Shades to Choose From!)
FAQ’s: The Best Alternative to Chalk Paint
What is the most durable paint for furniture?
Latex is one of the most durable paints for furniture. There are oil-based paints that dry harder but they are much messier and the fumes are an issue.
Latex paint does well with protecting furniture from moisture and also has some elasticity that prevents cracking of the paint if the furniture warms over time. Chalk Paint, in my opinion, is not as durable as it is easy to sand off versus latex paint with primer. Also, as I mentioned in depth here, chalk paint will re-liquefy if a drink is set on it and it is not waxed properly.
What is the best brand of paint for wood furniture?
My favorite furniture paint is Benjamin Moore Advance. It’s a high-performance latex-oil-based hybrid that provides a sprayed-on finish with a roller and self-levels really well. I’ve also been impressed with its coverage and durability as I mentioned in my post on furniture paint reviews. They also have hundreds, if not thousands, of colors to choose from which is another advantage of using latex paint compared to chalk paint.
Should I use a brush or roller to paint furniture?
I get this question quite a bit and my answer is BOTH! For the vast majority of your paintable surface, I recommend using a roller. Not all roller are created equal as some don’t provide a very smooth finish. The best paint roller for furniture is the Behr 6″ Best Roller with 3/8″ nap.
For more detailed aspects of your furniture piece such as the edges of drawers, feet, and molding, use a brush. I like this set of brushes because they are inexpensive while providing a smooth finish and I don’t have to worry about loose bristles getting into my paint finish.
What is the best type of paint for outdoor wood furniture?
Every type of latex paint has an exterior counterpart. Sherwin Williams also has a new house and fence paint that is extremely durable. If you use a glaze on outdoor furniture, I would go over it with an outdoor clear coat like this one to ensure the elements don’t wash or damage the finish.
My Best Tips for Spray Painting Hardware
For my favorite tips and tricks on getting a flawless finish every time with spray paint, click here for your free checklist: Best Tips & Tricks for Spray Painting Anything
Painting Wood Furniture: Ideas and Tips
Now you have a furniture piece that has the farmhouse look of chalk paint without the extra hassle and expense, not to mention it will have a durable finish for years to come! For more inspiration, be sure to look at this gallery of painted furniture or check out the rest of my furniture flips.
☑️ My All-Time Best Furniture Painting Tips & Tricks (FREE PRINTABLE)
Don’t forget to download the FREE step-by-step printable checklist that shows you the entire process I’ve used on dozens of furniture pieces while saving you time and money!
FREE SCRIPTURE PRINTABLES
Did you like this post? Be sure to share it with others. As always feel free to download my complimentary Scripture printables HERE. You have dozens of verses to choose from. Have a wonderful week!
Related Posts on Furniture Painting
- The Absolute Best Furniture Paint (24 Brands Tested and Reviewed)
- My Best Tips for Painting Furniture
- How to Whitewash Furniture the Easy Way
- How to Re-stain Furniture without Stripping
- Easy Barnwood Stain with Latex Paint
- Best Clear Coats for Furniture
- General Finishes Milk Paint Review
- Best Podcasts for Christian Women
- How to Sand Furniture in Less Than 5 Minutes
- A Beginner’s Guide to Furniture Painting
- Easy Faux Driftwood Stain on Furniture
- Vintage Vanity Makeover
Final Thoughts Chalk Paint vs. Regular Paint
There’s a reason that latex paint has been around for so long. It has consistently provided a durable finish with unlimited color options. With the technique I outline above, you can have the same look of chalk paint without the expense and hassle of waxing. Now, it’s time for the only hard part – picking out the right paint color!
If you want to save this post for later, pin it here!
What are your thoughts? If you have any questions about your furniture projects, I’d love to answer them in the comment section below!
Blessings,
Karin
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A Better Alternative to Chalk Paint – Painting Technique
Karin Peters is a DIY expert and the creator of Renovated Faith. She is a furniture painter, a home design consultant, and a tenacious problem solver determined to help you transform your house into a home. With 17 years of experience with DIY home improvement, she researches and analyses professional processes to adapt them to be easy and cost-effective for DIYers. She then tests every project and product before it appears on the site in a detailed, step-by-step format. After attending Texas A&M University, she received her Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages at Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary. Her passions unite in Renovated Faith, which shows readers how to create a home that serves them so they can pursue their God-given purposes. About Renovated Faith | Editorial Policy | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Replying to my question! I saw I had to choose deep base- sorry! Thank you.
Hi! I went to sherwin Williams site to pick out a navy color in the pro classic. All the darker colors say it is not available for the paint I have chosen. Now what? Thank you
They can match anything in store. I would just tell them the number in the store. I’m not sure why the site says that. Thanks Laura!
Good morning!
I purchased a gorgeous piece of furniture painted with Sherwin Williams latex paint…and the top is waxed.
How can I add a clear coat without having to re-paint the top?
I know it won’t stick to the wax. But how can I remove it without removing the paint? Is that possible?
The piece is going in my 9 year old’s room, so durability is important.
Hmmm… That’s interesting that they put wax over latex. I think you’ll be okay since the Sherwin Williams latex on it’s own is pretty durable. I think I would leave it and if you want extra durability add a glass top. I added a glass top to the dresser by my daughter’s bed and it’s really nice to not have to worry about her using a coaster for her drinks. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks Karen!
I repainted my dining table and chairs which were chalk painted and waxed. I thoroughly but gently wiped everything down with turps a couple of times to get rid of the wax. Overpainted with a primer and Valspar satin. It’s worked well. The chalk finish was in good condition but it was a v pale grey which easily got dirty so had to be waxed to remove the marks. Did similar with a wardrobe.
Glad to hear they turned out well Janne!
I totally agree. I chalk painted my kitchen table and was so disappointed. The chairs would soak up any stain. Yes, I waxed it. I had to repaint it with sherwinn Williams and it’s so much better !! I now paint all my furniture using sherwinn Williams latex and top coat it with a clear satin and the results are fantastic!!
I couldn’t agree more. I hate to be such a downer to so many using chalk paint but you can really get better results with latex. Thanks so much for your comment Dawn!
I have some cabinets that are NOT in the kitchen and so they do not get much wear and tear or water but they were originally a golden oak color. We went over them with a General Finishes dark walnut and I think a gel topcoat (not totally sure about that). Now i would like to paint white over them and have kind of a dark or distressed look as well. Do I need to sand off all or part of the dark walnut gel stain and top coat? Do I need to prime with a dark tint under the white latex? Can you share some advice? I am not experienced at DIY projects at all.
You do not have to sand off the old coat. You just want to sand it lightly to scuff it up. Here is the process in this post. Let me know if you have any questions at all Katy!
Hello! I feel like I learned something here but also I’m confused about the wax alternative. I have a navy piece and I wanted to add dark antiquing wax. So I should use glaze and what exactly? The navy or a brownish? I do wish there was a photo of that same side when it was finished to show the end result. Thanks for our help!
If you want to do a dark brown glaze over a navy pieces, you need to go dark with an espresso brown.
You can make your own glaze of any color by mixing Floetrol and latex paint. A ratio of two parts Floetrol to one part paint. Apply to furniture with damp, lint free cloth. Much cheaper then the name brand glazing mediums.
Anissa! Thank you so much for your comment. I was wondering this myself. I can’t wait to try it out!
I love Annie Sloan French Linen look. Can you help me pick latex colors to get that look?
The latex base coat is a match to Annie Sloan French Linen I believe.
I also love the French Linen. Are you saying just a base coat with no tint or color would be the best match? Thanks for all of your great advice.
Hi! I love your tutorials. My question is I just want to bring out the details on select areas of a mirror I’m painting with the paint you suggested, can I just put the glaze on those areas and wipe off? I don’t want the aged look all over but don’t want it to look like two different jobs!
Yes! That is my favorite look actually. You will paint the glaze over those areas only and then wipe those off unti you get the look you want. Great question!
What about my camper? Since it lives 300 miles away and I only have two weeks to paint it, I am taking a couple years to do the sections. I still have the bathroom (no steam) and can’t sand the walls much….and don’t have electricity. Can we make latex work?
I think latex would be fine. You can always put a small amount in an inconspicious area to test it to see how well it adheres also!
Hi. I have a piano that needs a make over. Will this process work on that? I want to paint t to match my other furniture. Which is a yellow -ish color. Thanks
It absolutely will Toni! Just use the same primer and color match the paint to the other furniture pieces you mentioned. Let me know if you have any questions!
How is this a better alternative to chalk paint when you have to sand, prime, and seal it? Chalk paint doesn’t require u to do anything , except paint and seal with a top coat if in an area that will be exposed to water. After buying all the materials for this process, there’s no way that it’s cheaper than just buying chalk paint and wax.
Hey Bree, Thank you so much for your comment. See this post and it will answer all your questions: https://renovatedfaith.com/why-i-dont-use-chalk-paint-on-furniture-my-better-alternative/
Should I still put an under coat of primmer under my blue paint and have it tinted blue? Thank you for your help!
Katherine
I would like to paint my antique island a shade of blue and brush on some areas of black along the edges to match another piece of furniture I already have. Do I dry brush the black on or use the black as a primmer snd sand it off? And what should I use to seal it? I want it very country and nothing shinny. Thank you for your help.
Hey Katherine,
I would use the same instructions in this post with the glaze but use black paint to mix with the glaze. Just brush it on either ofer the whole cabinet or over the parts you want to accent. Then, use the baby wipes to wipe off the excess. Then, I would go over it with a clear coat to give it a matte finish and to seal in the glaze – Either Varathane’s WATER-BASED polyurethane in Satin (they might have a matte) or Crystalac’s Clear Coat in Matte. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions!
In the Sherwin Williams latex paint, which finish do you use…flat, matte, satin, or gloss? I’m assuming flat /matte? Thank you
Hey Janis! I personaly like the satin but you can get a matte if you like that sheen more. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m just wondering…….my experience with latex paints in other applications, latex can bubble and peel like a skin. Does using the primer stop that from happening with the furniture?
I’ve been doing a bunch of research….love the look of chalk paint but not the expense. And if I ever gifted or sold a piece I would definitely want it to be highly durable and long lasting.
Thank you!
Yes, you are exactly right. It’s the primer that adhere’s the latex paint to the surface so it won’t peel. Chalk paint adhere’s well but it’s not durable and latex on it’s own doesn’t adhere well but it’s very durable. So that’s where the primer comes into play. Thank you for stopping by and let me know if you have any other questions!
Just wondering if you recommend sanding between coats of paint?
Great question Sarah. I’m kind of a stickler for a smooth finish so you can to just lightly sound out any brush strokes but its definitely not required. Thanks for your comment and for stopping by!
I discovered Valspar Cabinet & Furniture paint this summer. It’s got an enamel finish. You don’t need to sand before painting or between coats, and because it’s an enamel finish, you don’t need a top coat. I used a deglosser to prep. I painted my kids’ beds and side tables that are over 60 years old and have been used by multiple generations. I love the results we got.
Good to know. I will be painting all of our kitchen cabinets soon so I will definitely be looking into this as an option. Thanks Amanda!
Your work is beautiful and thank you for sharing your ideas. I’m no artist, but I have enjoyed painting furniture and transforming junk yard stuff long before it was a popular. Faux finishing and distressing furniture was a lot of fun especially since I never worried about the tools and products I needed. I just used whatever I could buy for cheap, found on clearance, or what ever someone else was throwing away. Sometimes I didn’t even bother to prime my pieces. A light sanding was usually enough unless I was planning on doing a stain finish. I mean no disrespect to the younger generation when I say that all the fancy products being sold now is really not needed especially since social media has made it so easy for people to share their ideas like you have. I believe as long as a person is having fun and is not afraid to experiment or make mistakes then that’s all that really matters. If you have the extra money and would like to try a new product then go for it, otherwise just use whatever you have on hand be it latex, oil based, craft paint, polyurethane, floor wax, cheap brushes, glue, salt ,vinegar, rags, and anything else you have around the kitchen or bathroom closet. I say have fun and then take joy in the fact you crafted, painted, built or repurposed something that you and your family will enjoy and use.
I couldn’t agree more Doreen. The best projects are the ones where you use what you have an have fun doing them. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences with DIY. I agree that there’s nothing like the satisfaction of having worked on a piece yourself. Have a great day!
Just reading this post … 10 months later. Doreen, I love your attitude!! Karin, not sure how I found you, but will be looking for more of your posts now that I have.
So happy you are here! 🙂
But, will regular satin paint have that yummy buttery feel of a great chalk-painted piece?
Great question Lizzy! I’m assuming you mean the velvety feel of the furniture wax. You can always use clear wax over paint if that is important to you. Otherwise a matte clear coat like the one I mentioned will have a similar feel. Thanks for your comment!
This is wonderful information! Thank you. In a house of boys I need durability but love the chalk paint look! If I want a distressed look should I go with a darker primer? I plan to paint my piece white but want grey to show through in some spots… I have read about using Vaseline to do this- I’m thinking a grey primer and white paint… what are your thoughts?
If I decide to sand down to the bare wood and I am using a dark paint do I still need a primer? I’ve also heard others say that you do not have to use wax with chalk paint, that you can use polyurethane instead. What are your thoughts on that please? I believe you are on the right track by not using the chalk paints but of course I still have questions. Thanks!
Great question! If you are to the bare wood and you are sure there are no oils on the wood (cleaners, etc.), then you should be just fine with only paint.
I have a question on my cupboards I used white chalk paint and a topcoat sealer and over time it became yellowish. What sealer would you recommend to not yellow. Thanks
Hey Karen, I have a product I like so much more than oil-based polyurethane which does yellow! It is called Varathane’s waterbased polyurethane. Be sure to see this post: https://renovatedfaith.com/clear-coat-for-furniture/
I loved your bedroom with the silver strand
Did you refinish the dressing table and if so what colors and techniques did you do
Hi Shirley – I refinished it in Sherwin Williams ProClass Acrylic Alkyd (the hybrid) in Meditative (Satin Finish). Thanks and have a great day!
I have a question on my cupboards I used white chalk paint and a topcoat sealer and over time it became yellowish. What sealer would you recommend to not yellow. Thanks
Hey Sondra,
This post has all the info you need! https://renovatedfaith.com/clear-coat-for-furniture/