The Best Chalk Paint Brushes for a Beautiful Finish
Chalk paint is incredibly easy to use, has a super fast drying time, and comes in so many pretty colors. But, I have found that some brushes work better than others. Today, I’m sharing what I believe are the BEST chalk paint brushes for your project.
See more painting tips here.
Getting the right brush is such an important piece of the furniture painting process. It’s key to be able to get into every nook and cranny, but also get comfort in knowing you have a beautiful finish in the end.
You also want a brush that is easy on the wrists, has a comfortable grip, is high-quality, and durable enough to justify the cost.
This guide will help you find the best brush for your diy projects.
What is Chalk Paint
Chalk paint has become increasingly popular in the world of furniture restoration and DIY projects. But what exactly is chalk paint, and why has it gained such a devoted following?
At its core, chalk paint is a type of water-based decorative paint that offers a unique matte finish.
It gets its name from the velvety, chalk-like appearance it creates on surfaces, giving furniture an aged or distressed look.
Unlike traditional paints, chalk paint requires minimal preparation before application as it adheres well to various surfaces without the need for stripping or sanding.
This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to transform old or worn-out pieces into stylish accents with minimal effort.
One of the key advantages of using chalk paint is its versatility.
It can be applied on almost any surface area- wood, metal, plastic, glass – you name it!
Top Picks for Natural Bristle Brushes
Natural bristle brushes are typically made from some type of animal hair. Some of the more common are natural boar hair, ox hairs, horse hairs, etc.
Most would agree that natural bristle brushes tend to be more durable and last longer than a synthetic bristle brush, but they are often more costly.
Infiniti Elements Natural Brushes
- The Infiniti brushes are a natural bristle brush that cost a bit less than some of the other name brand brushes.
- It has a strong, wooden handle and has a low amount of bristle shedding (which is common with natural brushes)
New Renaissance Natural Bristles
- The New Renaissance brush is also reasonably priced.
- It’s designed for use on furniture and works well for both chalk paint and wax.
- The Tatler & Tatum brushes are 100% natural bristles with a low shedding design.
- They are another affordable option and even come with a 30 day warranty.
- This 4-brush kit comes with different sizes you can choose from depending on your project.
- The brush set is made with pure white boar hair bristles / natural boar hair.
- Each brush has a leather strap to allow you to hang the brush for storage.
- Large oval and small round brush.
- Small brush good for stencils and places larger brush can’t get to as easily.
- Nickel Plated Ferrule head & Birch Wood Handle
Annie Sloan Brushes
Note, Annie Sloan paint brushes are not available on Amazon, but you can order directly from the Annie Sloan website.
- Available in small, medium, and large.
- Holds a lot of paint, allowing you to finish your project more quickly.
- Natural split ends.
Other good natural bristle brushes to consider: Dixie Belle and Amy Howard brushes.
Note the above brushes also work well with milk paint.
Top Picks for Synthetic Blend or Synthetic Brushes
- The Staalemeester is a great quality synthetic blend brush
- Oval shape allows you to switch between large and small areas without changing brush
- The Wooster has been a tried and true paint brush for years. Although I’d rather stick with natural bristles with chalk paint, I’ve used the Wooster with good success. Plus, it’s cheaper!
Related: How to Paint Over Chalk Paint
Chalk Painted Furniture Examples
If you haven’t used chalk paint before, you may be wondering how it actually looks on furniture makeovers before you go out to purchase a new brush and all of the other supplies needed to start your project.
I’ve completed countless chalk paint projects in our home. Here are a few of my favorite:
- Our kitchen table makeover where I used Amy Howard One Step Paint (chalk paint) in Linen on the base of the table as well as the chairs (minus the seat):
- Black chalk painted piano. My daughter and I seriously did this in an afternoon and it’s beautiful:
- Painting outdated brown barstools with white chalk paint;
- A post FULL of before and after chalk painted furniture:
TIP: You can make your own chalk paint at home with this simple recipe.
I think it’s important to clarify the type of brush I would suggest for chalk paint when attempting a furniture makeover.
Natural Bristle versus Synthetic, explained
If your project is to be completed with a chalk paint, I highly recommend a natural bristle brush over a brush with synthetic bristles.
The bristle type will make a difference with the outcome of your next project.
To get the best results for painting projects, you really do need to find the best paint brush for the specific job you are completing.
The right kind of brush means different things with regular paint (latex paint) and acrylic paints.
The focus of this article is for chalk paint.
Natural bristle
Natural bristle brushes are made of animal hair, will hold onto the paint better and give a more even coat with less streaking than synthetic brushes when using chalk paint.
They provide a more rustic look.
When using a natural bristle brush, the paint goes further with less need to add more paint to the brush.
This is especially important when using chalk paint as it is a consistency that is thicker and that dries REALLY quickly.
In a matter of minutes, usually 20-30 minutes after the first coat is applied.
It is typically safe to start your second coat 30 minutes after finishing the first.
The negatives with natural is they are often more expensive and shed bristles onto your project. With proper care, natural brushes can last for a very long time, making the cost justifiable.
As for the shedding bristles, as I mentioned earlier, chalk paint is quite forgiving.
If you notice a bristle has shed in your paint after it has dried, simply sand the surface slightly and apply more paint as needed to that area for good coverage.
With a good natural brush, the shedding typically is much less of an issue after the first 2-3 uses.
At that point, if you see loose bristles, just gently pull them out using a paper towel.
Synthetic
Synthetic brushes are man-made bristles, made of nylon bristles and/or polyester. A synthetic bristle brush tends to be much less expensive than natural.
In general, synthetic have a smoother finish than natural brushes, but in my opinion, that is not the case with chalk paint and other fast drying paints.
These brushes have slicker bristles, which in turn causes them to require a more frequent reload of your paint onto the brush.
Because of this, synthetic brushes will likely cause more brush marks with chalk paint. But they are excellent for application of latex paint.
They also are a great option for those that want to avoid using a brush made from animal hair.
Synthetic Blend brushes
A blend is often a good compromise for a chalk paintbrush.
Because the animal hair brushes (natural) are more expensive, this can be somewhat of a deterrent for some.
First, let me say, it shouldn’t be. These brushes can last for YEARS if properly cared for.
But, if the price tag is too hefty for the natural brush, the synthetic blend options above are great alternatives.
Best Brush for Chalk Paint
Choosing the Best Brush for Chalk Paint: So what is the best brush for chalk paint?
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint brushes are an excellent choice and the best paint brushes for chalk paint.
The oval brushes with wooden handles come in three different sizes, so you are certain to find the perfect size for small furniture pieces and larger projects.
The brushes also work great as wax brushes, but it is a good idea to designate a brush for paint and a different brush for wax.
The smaller brush is the perfect choice for small projects, including chalk painting furniture.
Annie Sloan is a popular choice as they hold a lot of paint which allows you to use less paint overall.
They are expensive, so I recommend taking care of the brush. The good news is the brushes should last for years with proper care which make them a great value.
Avoid Chip Brushes
Chip brushes are really inexpensive, in other words “cheap” brushes you can often find for under $1 a piece.
These low quality brushes will not leave you with the best outcome.
They are not a good option / good brush for chalk paint.
They have a lot of bristle shedding and leave brush marks. It’s worth it to invest a little bit and have a quality brush you can use for years to come.
Use different brushes for chalk paint and wax
It’s best to have a different brush for the chalk paint and chalk paint wax.
So if you are completing furniture painting diy projects, you will need one brush for chalk paint AND a wax paint brush.
I personally tend to not even use a wax brush as I like to apply wax with a lint-free cloth! Just my personal preference.
Get a wax paint brush.
How do you get a smooth finish with chalk paint?
As mentioned, the brush you choose will certainly have an impact on how smooth your painted furniture will look.
The best brush for chalk paint is one with nylon bristles, but you can certainly have a beautiful end result with a synthetic brush.
Sanding lightly before applying wax is helpful in getting rid of brush strokes. There is some controversy on whether sanding should be done before or after waxing.
Personally I feel it is just a little easier to do before waxing, so that’s good enough for me!
How do you clean brushes after using chalk paint?
Clean your brushes by rinsing them thoroughly in warm water. If needed, use a mild grease-cutting soap to help remove the chalk paint.
The same is true for cleaning a brush after using wax, except you will definitely need to use a grease-cutting soap.
Avoid any harsh chemicals when cleaning your brushes. If possible, allow your brushes to hang to dry after washing.
How to Store Chalk Paint Brushes
If you enjoy working with chalk paint, then you know the importance of properly storing your brushes.
Whether you’re taking a short break or putting them away for an extended period, following the right storage methods will ensure that your brushes stay in great condition and are ready to use whenever inspiration strikes.
It’s crucial to clean your chalk paint brushes thoroughly after each use.
Using warm water and mild soap, gently remove any residue from the bristles. Rinse them well until the water runs clear. Avoid using harsh chemicals or leaving the brushes soaking for too long as this can damage the bristles.
Once cleaned, gently squeeze out any excess water and reshape the bristles with your fingers.
After cleaning, allow your brushes to air dry completely before storing them.
Are Foam Brushes Good for Chalk Paint
Foam brushes tend to absorb more paint than other types of brushes or rollers.
This can be problematic when working with chalk paint, which typically has a thicker consistency compared to regular latex or acrylic paints. The excess absorption may result in frequent reloading of the brush and wasted paint during the application process.
I would not recommend foam brushes for chalk painting furniture, especially if working with large areas.
What Kind of Brush for Chalk Paint
Choosing the right brush when working with chalk paint is essential to achieving a smooth and flawless finish. With its unique formula and texture, chalk paint requires a specific type of brush that can handle its thick consistency.
Opting for a natural bristle brush is highly recommended over synthetic fibers as it allows for better control and application of the paint. The soft bristles allow the paint to glide smoothly over surfaces, preventing any streaks or brush marks from appearing.
Natural boar bristles are great, but tend to shed the first few uses. To reduce shedding during a paint project, wash the brush a few times prior to use
When selecting a brush for chalk paint, keep in mind the size and shape of the project you will be working on.
For large projects such as furniture pieces or walls, consider using a wide-bristle brush that can cover more surface area in less time.
On the other hand, if you are working on smaller details or intricate designs, opt for a smaller-sized brush with narrow bristles that provide better precision.
Chalk Paint Brushes
In conclusion, chalk paint brushes are an essential tool for achieving a smooth, matte finish on any painting project.
These brushes are specifically designed to work with the unique texture and consistency of chalk paint, allowing for easy application and excellent coverage for your paint job.
Whether you are a professional painter or a DIY enthusiast, investing in high-quality chalk paint brushes is an investment in the quality of your work.
Finding the best brushes for painting furniture can make all the difference to ensure good coverage, high-quality results, and that every nook, cranny, and smooth surface gets the attention it needs.
Ultimately you must also consider the comfort when painting, potential strain on your wrists, comfortable grip, etc.
These are all characteristics to keep in mind when selecting your perfect brush.
The perfect brush could make all the difference when painting old furniture for a beautiful, shabby-chic look.
Grab your best paint brush and happy painting!
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