How To Paint Over Chalk Paint? (With Different Paints)

Chalk paint is water-based and is known for its impressive adhesion qualities and bright color shade.

To paint over chalk paint, inspect, sand, and clean the chalk paint finish, then apply the new paint.

You can’t paint over sealed or waxed chalk paint without removing its glossy topcoat first. To remove the sealer or wax topcoat from chalk paint, use coarse-grit sandpaper (40-grit) or paint-stripping compound.

Table of Contents

How To Paint Over Chalk Paint?

To paint over chalk paint, do the following things.

Inspect the Chalk Paint Finish.
Sand the Finish.
Clean the Finish.
Apply the New Paint

1. Inspect the Chalk Paint Finish

The first thing you need to do when painting over chalk paint is to inspect the chalk finish,

Inspect the chalk paint finish to see if it’s sealed or riddled with dirt, dust, imperfections, bumps, or holes. If the chalk paint finish is sealed or waxed, remove the glossy topcoat or other paints won’t adhere over it.

A sealer will produce a glossy moisture-resistant topcoat that protects chalk paint from moisture, water, and scratches and prevents other paints from adhering to it.

To know if the finish is sealed, pour water over it. If the water penetrates the surface, the finish isn’t sealed. If water stays over the topcoat and doesn’t penetrate the surface, the finish is sealed.

To remove a sealer topcoat, sand the finish with coarse-grit sandpaper (40-grit) or use a paint-stripping compound.

Clean the finish if it’s riddled with dirt, dust, or grease, and sand it if it’s riddled with imperfections or bumps. If the finish has holes, repair it with a wood filler.

2. Sand the Finish

You have to sand the chalk finish to help the other paint stick better.

Sand the chalk paint with medium-grit sandpaper (100-grit) to remove imperfections and bumps, and sand it with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit) to smoothen its finish.

If the chalk paint is sealed, sand with coarse-grit sandpaper (40-grit) or use a paint-stripping compound to remove its topcoat.

Related Read: Can You Tint Chalk Paint?

3. Clean the Finish

Chalk paint is prune to dust. Before you apply the other paint, you have to clean the chalk paint with rubbing alcohol.

Clean the chalk paint finish after removing dirt, and imperfections, and fixing the surface with wood filler.

If you don’t clean the finish, the new paint won’t adhere or dry properly. The dust and dirt will show if the new paint adheres.

To clean a chalk paint finish, do the following things.

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

4. Apply the New Paint

After you have cleaned the chalk paint, it's time to apply the paint.

Apply two or three (2-3) coats of paint over chalk paint using a paint roller, brush, or sprayer.

You can paint over chalk paint with any type of paint, including oil-based paints.

Note: Optionally, you can seal the new finish.

Can You Apply Gloss Paint Over Chalk Paint?

You can paint gloss paint over chalk paint to protect the finish from moisture, water, or scratches. Semi-gloss, high-gloss, and gloss paints will give the chalk paint extra protection.

However, you can’t apply gloss paints over waxed or sealed chalk paint finishes as the topcoat will prevent paint adhesion by repealing the new paint. You must remove the sealer first before applying the gloss paint.

Can You Apply Latex Paint Over Chalk Paint?

You can apply latex paint over chalk paint as both paints are water-based and compatible. Chalk paint has a dry textured finish that allows latex paint to penetrate and adhere over it.

Latex paint must have the same color shade as chalk paint to prevent paint from bleeding through.

If you use different color shades, ensure to apply a paint primer between both paints to prevent bleed through as latex paint is thin and can’t fully cover a chalk paint finish without applying too many coats.

Can You Apply Acrylic Paint Over Chalk Paint?

You can put different paints over chalk paint. But, can you put acrylic paint over chalk paint?

You can apply acrylic paint over chalk paint as both paints are water-based, and acrylic paint has a thick flow and impressive bonding qualities.

To apply acrylic paint over chalk paint, do the following things.

Clean the finish with TSP.
Sand the finish with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit).
Apply acrylic paint.

You can use acrylic paint instead of primer before applying chalk paint.

Related Read: Can You Apply Chalk Paint Over Wax?

Can You Apply Milk Paint Over Chalk Paint?

You can apply milk paint over chalk paint as both paints are almost identical and compatible. You can use milk paint to touch up a chalk paint finish.

Milk paint comes in a powdered form and needs to be mixed before use. Once you mix milk paint, its difference with chalk paint is minimal especially if both paints have the same color shade.

To apply milk paint over chalk paint, do the following things.

Clean the finish with TSP.
Sand the finish with extra fine-grit sandpaper (440-grit).
Apply milk paint.

Related Read: Can You Use Chalk Paint on Plastic?

Can You Apply Oil-based Paint Over Chalk Paint?

You can apply oil-based paint over chalk paint. Chalk paint doesn’t have a glossy finish or additives that prevent paint adhesion, instead, it has a dry textured finish that allows paints to penetrate and adhere over 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).