Can You Chalk Paint Bathroom Cabinets? What You Need To Know

If you’re looking to renovate your bathroom without hiring a contractor, you might want a DIY-friendly option. Most people love chalk paint because of its matte finish and quick drying properties. And if you loathe priming more than sanding, you might be thinking of using it on your vanities. So, can you chalk paint bathroom cabinets?

You can chalk paint your bathroom cabinets to get a beautiful, matte finish. Chalk paint is usually easy to use, and you don’t need to prime the cabinet surfaces. Moreover, it dries quickly and will hold well over time if you seal it with a polycrylic finish.

While chalk paint dries quickly and is easy to use, it has a couple of things to bear in mind. Experts recommend you apply it in three thin coats using a special chalk paint brush, then seal the top coat with a polycrylic finish. Let’s get into the details.

Is it Okay to Use Chalk Paint on Bathroom Cabinets?

Bathroom cabinets chalk paint fancy knobs pretty

You can use chalk paint (on Amazon) on your bathroom cabinets, but it’s not as durable as other types of paint and may chip sooner. Choose better options like acrylic enamel paint or alkyd paint if you want a long-lasting finish. 

But if you’re ready for the challenge and are willing to do touch-ups down the road, you can chalk paint your bathroom cabinets. It’s a fun and budget-friendly way to improve your bathroom ambiance with custom finishes. 

Chalk paint will give you a nice matte coverage on your bathroom vanities and can last for a good time. However, before using it, you should know some important things first. You must prepare the cabinet surfaces well, apply the chalk paint correctly, and take proper care of the cabinets.

Remember, chalk paint is not water-proof, and it’s a water-based paint in and of itself. So if your cabinets will get a lot of exposure to moisture, like in a steamy bathroom, it may not be the best option. 

The best paint options for your cabinets are high gloss or semi-gloss paints. They offer better resistance to moisture and stains, meaning you won’t have to worry about dark spots when you accidentally spill makeup.

Applying Chalk Paint

Repainting kitchen cabinet doors with white chalk paint indoors at home

But if you’ve settled your heart on chalk paint, you must prepare the cabinet surfaces beforehand.

  1. Carefully remove the doors and handles, if possible, so that you can paint the cabinet frames first.
  1. And before you deal with the rest of the cabinet surfaces, clean them thoroughly to remove dirt and grease, then sand them down a bit.
  1. Next, carefully apply a thin layer of chalk paint, then a second and third one. For best results, use a chalk paint brush to apply even layers. Moreover, brush in the direction of the wood grains and smoothen the strokes on the fly.
  1. To paint the doors well, get paint into the details, apply paint on the flat surfaces, and smooth it to catch any drips. Since the chalk paint will dry quickly, you must work in small manageable sections. 
  1. Once everything is dry, apply the polycrylic top coat for protection. Let the detached doors dry for 2 hours in the garage before re-attaching them.

How Do You Seal Chalk Paint on Bathroom Cabinets?

To seal the chalk paint on your bathroom cabinets, use a water-based polycrylic semi-gloss finish like the Minwax Polycrylic protective finish (on Amazon). Apply it in three thin coats as you’d do with the chalk paint and let it dry.

Remember, your bathroom vanities are potential high-moisture areas, and you must seal the chalk paint with a durable, moisture-resistant finish. Some people quickly go for a wax, but it’s not the best option for obvious reasons. 

You’ll have to deal with chippings and scuffed-up paint too often. A water-based polycrylic finish works better to protect the top coat. You could also use the Dixie Belle Chalk Finish (on Amazon) to seal the top coat. It’s water-repellent and works well on furniture, bathroom vanities, and wooden crafts.

If you care about an impressive, more professional look, you can add a bit of caulk to the gaps in the cabinetry. For example, if you choose to go with the Annie Sloan Old White, use white caulk to mask the crevices.

If you do the painting and sealing correctly, you won’t have to worry about maintenance. But even if you get it too thick, you can always sand away the chalk paint and try again. Likewise, if the first coat looks thin and patchy, carefully apply a second and third coat, then finish with the polycrylic topcoat.

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