Can You Paint Over Chalk Paint? (With Different Paints)

After a while, chalk paint starts to fade off. So, can you paint over chalk paint?

You can paint over chalk paint if the coating isn’t sealed with wax. Chalk is water-based paint with a textured finish, so it allows all types of paint to stick over it.

However, you might need to prep its finish to allow new paints to stick over it. Also, if the coating is sealed, you must know how to remove it. 

How To Paint Over Chalk Paint?

You can paint over chalk paint without doing too much prep work. All you need to do is to clean the chalk finish and a few other things. Let’s check them.

1. Inspect The Finish

If the finish is riddled with bumps or imperfections, you must sand it before painting over it. Chalk paint isn’t durable or moisture-resistant, so its finish can be affected by moisture and handling easily. So, if it’s an old finish, it may need some repairs. 

Also, if the finish is sealed with wax or sealant, you must remove the sealant first. That’s because sealants produce a glossy moisture-resistant layer that repels any type of liquid. So, if you paint over a sealed finish, the paint won’t stick over it. 

To know if the finish is sealed, use the water test. Pour some water over the finish, if the water penetrates it, the finish isn’t sealed nor waterproof. If the water stays over the top coating, the finish is sealed.

2. Sand The Finish

Sanding isn’t always required because chalk paint has a textured finish that allows all paints to stick to it. However, the finish is sealed, you must sand the top layer over. 

To remove the wax (or sealant) from chalk paint, use medium-grit sandpaper. Once most of the wax is removed, sand with fine-grit sandpaper to scuff the wax, so the new paint can stick better. 

You can also remove the sealing by using a paint-stripping paste. Apply one coat of paint-stripping paste over the finish, wait 10-20 minutes, and scrape the finish off.

Related Read: Can You Tint Chalk Paint?

3. Clean

After you remove the sealant (or wax), clean the finish. Chalk paint is prone to dust, grease, grime, and filth, so you must clean it to remove these stains. If you don’t, the new paint won’t stick properly and will have bumps, and filth might affect its drying time. 

To clean it:

1. Use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) or TSP. 
2. Damp a rag with rubbing alcohol (or TSP). 
3. Use the dampened rag to wipe off the stains from the finish. 
4. Wait a few minutes. 
5. Clean the rubbing alcohol residue and finish with warm water. 

4. Apply The New Paint

Once the chalk paint finish is clean and dry, apply a new paint over it. You can use any type of paint, including oil-based. To apply it, use a roller, brush, or sprayer. You can apply 2-3 coats. 

Optionally, you can seal the new finish.

Related Read: Should You Use Latex Over Oil-Based Paint?

Gloss Paint

You can apply glossy paints (or sealers) to protect the chalk finish. Glossy finishes, such as polyurethane or polycrylic, can be applied over paint to give the finish extra protection. 

However, if the chalk paint is waxed, you can’t apply a glossy finish over it. That’s because the wax will repel moisture, preventing the gloss from sticking. You must remove the sealant first before applying the gloss. 

Latex Paint

You can apply latex paint over chalk paint because both paints are water-based and compatible with each other. However, if the finish is sealed, latex paint won’t stick over it unless you remove the sealant. 

Latex paint is the most fitting of all the paint types you can use over chalk paint. That’s because it has impressive adhesive qualities and is water-based too. 

However, its color shade must be similar (or the same) as the existing finish. That’s because latex paint is thin and light, so the paint underneath will bleed through. 

So, if you paint a light color of latex over a deep color of chalk paint, the deep finish underneath will still be visible after the latex dries. This will cause a clash of colors and make the finish look amateurish.

Related Read: Can You Mix Chalk Paint With Latex Paint?

Acrylic Paint

You can use acrylic paint over chalk. In fact, chalk paint can be used as a primer (or base coat) for acrylic paint. That’s because acrylic stick well to unsealed chalk paint since it has no gloss or sheen. 

To apply acrylic over it, sand the finish with fine-grit sandpaper, clean it with TSP, and then apply it. 

Related Read: Can You Apply Chalk Paint Over Wax?

Milk Paint

Milk and chalk paint are almost identical. So, you can apply milk paint over it. However, milk paint comes in powdered form and needs to be mixed before use.

Once you mix it, it’s difficult to tell the difference from chalk paint. Especially if both paint types have the same color. This is because both paints have the same features and finish. 

To apply milk paint over it, you must clean the finish, sand lightly, and apply it. To get the best results, use the same color shade.

Related Read: Can You Use Chalk Paint on Plastic?

Oil-Based Paint

You can apply an oil-based paint over chalk without using a primer. Oil-based paint has impressive qualities and will stick if the finish is textured enough. However, if the finish is sealed, you must remove the sealant before applying it. 

Oil-based paint will produce a glossy moisture-resistant layer over chalk paint and will protect it from moisture and different damage (to a degree). 

Final Words

Overall, you can paint over chalk paint with any type of paint or finish. All you need to do is; clean, sand, and prime the finish before applying the new paint.