I’ve read many tutorials instructing how to roll on Rust-Oleum Chalkboard paint, but I rarely hear of Annie Sloan or CeCe Caldwell Chalk Paints being applied with a roller.
I realize that the chalk paint finish is primarily a hand painted look, but I’ve always heard it is possible to achieve MANY types of finishes with this popular medium.
After discovering where to buy CeCe Caldwell Paints, then driving 3 hours to purchase the stuff, I was super excited to give it a try!
Previously, I started re-finishing a small side table which was incomplete due to the ugly top insert. I wanted the insert to show its relief, yet have a smooth matt finish.
I was determined to achieve this by using a roller with my brand new chalk paint!
While applying the first coat, this ‘chalk-paint-virgin’ was VERY impressed! All the good things I had heard were true!
It was rich, rolled on beautifully, and was effortless to apply! No smell, no sliding, and it looked great!
{Insert scary suspense music here} Second coat.. I wasn’t that lucky.
It lifted my first coat right off and left me with a horrible uneven finish.
Being persistent, I tried and tried again, waiting for it to dry thoroughly over night and even giving it a light sanding. The same thing happened 2 more times…grrrr!
Frustrated, I stripped the entire thing back to the original surface (which was a little messy but wiped off surprisingly well) and then started again from square one.
My strategy this time…one THICK coat.
VICTORY…exactly what I wanted!!
After waxing and buffing, I’m REALLY pleased with the finished piece!
Would I recommend using a roller with chalk paint? Sure…why not. It may take some trial and error pending on what type of surface you’re working with, but it’s certainly worth a try to achieve a brush free smooth finish with this glorious non-toxic paint.
When working with CeCe Caldwells, I found applying the paint in a nice thick coat worked best for me.
I’m ready to try my new chalk paint on another piece… this time using a paint brush. 😉
If you have any suggestions, questions, or have a roller/chalk paint story of your own, I’d love to hear it!
Hope you’re having a marvellous day!
Denise
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Thank you for your valuable info. I have had good success with Annie Sloan chalk paint applied with a brush on furniture. Now I’m wondering about using chalk paint to renew an upholstered wall, using a roller. I see you have had success using a roller to apply but on hard surfaces. Would you have any info from anyone doing such a thing?
Hi Anne! Yes, you can definitely use a roller and chalk paint on an upholstered wall! You may need to water the paint down a little first though.
I have recently finished an old yellowish desk with a brown top with Valspar chalk paint. I did it in their off-white. First off…I painted it first with a brush and it toke nearly 5-coats to cover. I didn’t like the look after distresssing so I sanded the top and switched to a roller. I actually REALLY liked the coverage and the look with the roller. Since it was my first piece done with chalk paint I learned many lessons. Sanding the piece lightly before any painting is probably best and depending on the look you want…rolling does works. Painting with chalk paint is about an item being unique and there’s really no rules and no “perfect” end result. That’s why we call the project Shabby Chic and distressed. It’s truly fun when you get rid of perfectionism and become creative with the project. I cannot wait to use Annie Sloan paint with my big dresser as I was not too impressed with the Valspar paint and stains.
I am starting my first project with chalk paint. Doing a large white laminate dining table! Bought paint at Benjamin Moore and they said a roller would be fine. My concern is the laminate and after reading your site… feel a light sanding will halo. I am using a poly rather than wax as the table gets lots of use. Am I on right track? Thx!
Sounds like you’re right on track Peggy! Here’s a little more info about painting laminate. 🙂
Good morning,
I intend to give the roller a try. My concern is the durability of the table top. I have used Annie Sloan with success on pieces that were not subjected to much use but now I plan to paint a large cocktail table. I would hate to paint and wax only to have paint fleck off as the table is used.
Thank you for your help.
Gerry
If you’re worried, you could opt to give the table a light sanding before applying the chalky paint OR just do a test area in an inconspicuous area and then do the ‘scratch test’ to make sure it’s properly adhered after 24 hours. If properly sealed, I don’t think you’d have any issues. Chalky paints are durable. 🙂
Hi Denise! What do you use to seal? I have found that wax is more durable than poly, but it could be my application…
Hi Julie! I’ve top coated chalk paint with a variety of waxes and poly’s. I’ve found poly is more durable, cleans easier and doesn’t need any reapplication down the road. That said, I love wax for the creative and decorative elements it adds. Both have their place in my book. 🙂
Hi Denise,
If using chalk paint on a shiny surface I would recommend always using a primer. If you had done then the first coat would not have lifted.
Another tip is when applying your second coat do it fast. Do not constantly roll over the same section. Roll once or twice to cover then move to the next. The second coat gets absorbed quickly into the first. If you persist in rolling many times you then end up with a poor finish.
NB: What you hear all the time about no prep work when using chalk paint is a load of rubbish. If the surface is shiny prime!!!
Nice blog.
JohnO
Thanks for your tips John! And I agree. When working with a glossy/shiny surface, its beneficial to do some prep before using any type of chalky/mineral paints. I don’t often prime (unless bleed through may occur) but I have learned to sand glossy finishes so the paint has something to grip onto. 🙂
Do you find using a roller uses a lot more paint than with a brush? I found this to be true, and wondered if there are any secrets to making the paint go further with a roller.
A roller does absorb a lot of paint so it may use more paint then a brush. The key to good roller application is to have the roller saturated. When I use a sponge roller, I often run it under the tap to soak with water, squeeze out the excess, and then pick up my paint and start rolling. Works great.
Next time, you could try a velvet roller. A roller for acrylic paint and stain which has a bit of a velvet-kind of cover. These will hold a little more paint, so it is easier to get the paint equally over the whole surface. One layer will do. Second to that, corners and small areas you can put up with a brush and roll with a little dense roller.
Check out Valspar web site. they are coming out with a new chalk paint line. should be in store in 1 to 2 weeks ..may already be in some stores. All colors..Valspar a good paint company so their chalk paint will be wonderful…plus they are having the waxes also.you can check out their website.
Ann
What TYPE of roller did you use? Was it foam? I can’t get a definitive answer after perusing 2 dozen websites. Which is the roller that worked for you?
Hi there… I used a High Density Foam Paint Roller. They come in packs of 4 at HomeDepot for around $5.
Thankyou! No access to a Home Depot unfortunately. I’m painting a chalkboard wall all the way around the world in Asia! Thanks so much for your answer, Denise. I’ll pop over to the nearest hardware store asap 🙂
Oh and I’m working with homemade chalkboard paint so it’s not as smooth as store bought and it’s giving me a lot of trouble because, once dry, it looks so uneven and brush strokes are very visible. Hopefully the roller fixes that.
Asia… WOW… I LOVE that i get visitors/readers from all around the world! 🙂
Thanks for this post and the comments. I’m working on my first ever project using Annie Sloan chalk paint, on a very old wooden dresser. It’s mostly going really well except in a couple of places there’s some brown bleed-through even after 4 coats! I’m also using a roller on most of it.
I especially like the tip about waxing first. I think that would have stopped the brown from bleeding through.
p.s. The woman I bought the paint from said for second coat to literally water it down a little and make the paint last longer. That didn’t work at all on this dresser, I think the wood is too old and dry. It just keeps sucking up the paint. 🙂 But it’s a good tip to know for the future.
When the brown is showing, just apply a couple of coats of wax, let it dry, and then paint over again. The wax kinda seals it. Or you can sand it down, apply wax and then paint again.
I painted with a roller and it worked great. However, when I went to put on the wax the paint lifted in some spots. What do you suggest I do to stop this from happening?
Thank you for any advice you have!
Hi Angie! If the paint is lifting in some areas, it’s because the chalk paint has not properly adhered. This wouldn’t necessary be from the application method – ie brush/roller etc but rather the prep. 9 out of 10 times chalk paint does not require sanding, but on shiny/slick surfaces, a light sanding really helps.
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, I’m a newby myself and I’m working on a piece that has a covered shelf that I’m struggling to get to with a brush, I’ve been toying with the idea of using a roller – think I’ll give it a go. I’m working with Annie Sloan chalk paint.
I am also a Newby at this>>I have ad surgeries on arm and neck and Painting a lot makes me sore>>Rolling is quicker and easier for me> I know with Auntie Solans, u put light coat of wax first>>even on a pre waxed surface her paint is supposed to cover right over anything>>then paint the top layer of clear/dark wax which every u like>>maybe if u did the wax first it would stick better with roller>>Well I am going to be trying it later this week too>>found a store about hr away for the paint>>looks good >>Larry
OM goodness I have the exact same table that I bought at the goodwill for a song and I love it! I actually replaced that strange slate looking piece with wood but I even have the same original knob. Awesome job!!
Thanks Wendy! It IS a cute table. I know a few bloggers who interchange inserts like these. They will use wood as you’ve done, then paint the other side a complimentary color to change up the look!
Have you ever made chalk paint? if so, how did it compare to the annie sloan and other brands?
Yes I have Donna, and here are my results. https://salvagedinspirations.com/best-homemade-chalk-paint-recipes/
Thank you so much, I am going to try the roller, thanks for the information very helpful.