How to Chalk Paint Vintage Dining Chairs: 2 Different Techniques


Hi there, Friends! Recently I updated the vintage dining chairs for my kitchen table with chalk paint. Undecided if I wanted to commit to painting all four, I started by painting two with my favorite brush on chalk paint. Then, after living with purposely mismatched chairs for a few months, I decided I was ready to paint the other two. When I was blessed to receive two cans of Rust-Oleum Chalked spray paint in a giveaway from Lauren at Wonderfully Made, I chose the Linen White shade so I could compare the two paints and share my results with you. Thank you to Lauren and Rust-Oleum! {This is not a sponsored post but I have included affiliate links for DIYers. See full disclosure here.


chalk painted dining chair tutorial

So here's the red shade of the chairs before I started. Can you believe these vintage chairs and the table that goes with them were given to me by a neighbor? This was years ago, before we moved into our home and they were originally part of an outdoor set. My neighbor preferred modern furniture, but I liked them so much that when we moved into our new home, I brought the set inside to use as a breakfast table. The chairs are quite heavy and I love the design. 


Tutorial for chalk painted dining chairs


When I painted the first two, wanting to use paint I had on hand, I used my go-to chalk paint, Americana Decor Chalky Finish, in Everlasting. During the process of hand painting all of those curves and curlicues, I remembered why I spray paint 90% of the time! One of the benefits of chalk paint is the excellent coverage that doesn't usually require priming. However, to go from red to white, I did use two coats and it took F-O-R-E-V-E-R! 


Amazon affiliate link American Decro Chalky finish paint


Even so, I loved the finished results and decided it was worth the time. 


Tutorial for chalk painted dining chairs


Originally, I liked the idea of mismatching two red and two white chairs, but changed my mind after living with them for awhile. Fast-forward two months, when I was ready to paint the other two chairs and not only learned that there is a chalky spray paint option, but I won two cans in the giveaway from Lauren--yay!


tutorial for chalk painted dining chairs


As I said before, chalk paint doesn't usually require priming but since it was my first experience with Rust-Oleum Chalked spray paint, and I wanted to make sure I had enough to cover both chairs, I used some inexpensive white spray paint as primer. I try to keep a few cans of generic white on hand, it's a good way to stretch more expensive paint. 


tutorial for chalk painted dining chairs


As it turned out, the Chalked spray paint covered really well and I only used one can for both chairs, which left me a can for future projects! 


chalk painted chair tutorial


I am really pleased with the results--it has an almost identical chalky finish to the brushed on chalk paint. 


tutorial for chalk painted dining chairs


See for yourself. These really are photos of the two different paints-I promise! 


tutorial for chalk painted chairs


I finished all of the chairs with Americana Decor Creme Wax.


tutorial for chalk painted chairs


Here's a view of all four painted chairs at the breakfast table. In conclusion, I will definitely use Rust-Oleum Chalked spray paint again. It's perfect for jobs with ornate details like the dining chairs and now I know how well it covers and that the finish really does look like chalk paint. On the other hand, I'll continue to use Americana Decor for projects that I wouldn't spray paint. I couldn't be happier with all four chairs and am slightly shocked at how well the two paints match. 


tutorial for chalk painted dining chairs







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chalk painted chair tutorial


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Would you like to comment?

  1. They looks great in white. Classic. Can you believe I have never used chalk paint? In any form...I might have to try. :)

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  2. They turned out great, Cecilia! And thanks for the hint about starting with another paint for primer!

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  3. The white chairs look so fresh in your kitchen. I liked the red, but this is better for a change. Thanks for all the information on the paints. Need to try the Rust-Oleum chaled paint.
    Hugs,
    Audrey Z.

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  4. I like the chairs white with your current color scheme; I'd like them red with red/white or cream toile cushions weith sanother color for walls! They look comfortable which you can't say about a lot of metal chairs! No one lingers at my table for after dinner coffee with the 90 degree chair backs! Appreciate the info on paint; I am a newbie to GOOD paint; have subsisted on .98 Wal-Mart stuff for most of my life!

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  5. They really do look like you used the same paint on all four - the spray paint matches the brush on perfectly! It was wonderful visiting and seeing them in person. Happy to know the Chalked spray paint works so well!
    :)
    Cecilia

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  6. Yay!!! I'm so glad it worked for you - the chairs look so good and you're right, the finish is the same with a lot less work! I like your idea of priming with some cheap paint first to stretch the more expensive stuff. That's a beautiful set - such pretty detail on the chairs! Thanks for the links to my blog and the 'shout out' - I do appreciate it!

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  7. I love spray paint, so THIS is awesome that they now have chalk paint in a spray can!! I am going shopping this weekend!
    :) gwingal

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  8. Cecilia those chairs look great!! I am so happy to see your results! I was also one who won Rustoleum paint from Lauren at wonderfully Made. I am excited to use it on a project. I did not get white though so the colors I chose go with specific rooms in my house. I have a few ideas in mind!hmmm. ha. Great makeover:)

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  9. I love both Rustoleum and Americana chalk paint - have both brands, but I'd never heard of the Rustoleum chalked spray paint! Going to have to try this out myself. Thanks for the inspiration!

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