Product Review: CeCe Caldwell's Chalk Paint
My husband and I have gotten caught up in the rage known as chalk paint. We have made a habit of gravitating towards chalk painted furniture, picture frames, and other furnishings that have been given new life with a coat of this miracle paint. One of our favorite places to shop is The Junque Yard Antiques store in Columbus, GA where the specialty is chalk paint.
The store carries a brand of paints and waxes called CeCe Caldwell's Chalk Paint that is made in the USA. We decided to buy a quart and repaint a table in our home. Here are some things we liked and didn't like about the product.
What we liked about CeCe Caldwell's Paint:
- Goes on very smooth
- No odor
- No sanding or priming required
- Cheaper than Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint
- Matte texture
- Available locally
- Made in the USA
- Wash up brushes and pans with just water
- Covered the table with 1 coat
What we disliked:
- Not as many colors to choose from compared to Annie Sloan Chalk Paints
- Color dried much lighter than the swatch seen in the store even after 2 coats
- Expensive ($30 per quart)
- Clear wax to seal the paint has a very strong smell
- Special wax application brushes are expensive and require mineral spirits to wash up
Our table came out perfectly and I am very pleased with the product. I would like to do more pieces, but the cost is just too high to do a large piece like our dining room table and chairs. The clear wax step is a little tedious, but it isn't that bad. I love the look and feel of the piece after the wax step. It really enriches the color and makes the surface smooth and even. Unwaxed chalk painted pieces actually feel like sidewalk chalk to me, and the paint will scratch off easily.
CeCe Caldwell's Paints are definitely comparable if not better than Annie Sloan Paints. The lower price point makes them that much better too. I would recommend this brand of chalk paint to anyone interested in trying their hand at repainting furniture.
We used paint brushes from Lowe's and lint free towels to apply and buff the wax. I used foam brushes on picture frames, and I do not recommend using those for chalk paint. The foam absorbed too much of the paint and just brushed it off instead of on. I did not notice too much bristle streaking or bristles being left behind from the brush.
This paint is available in stores and online. Their website has a store locator that help you find the nearest dealer. I would definitely recommend watching some how-to videos or reading other hubs for more tips on chalk paint. This specific brand is one we like and will use again. Good luck!
