The Truth About Chalk Paint (And Why You Might Still Need Primer)

Ah, chalk paint. We all love it, right? It’s low odor, easy to work with, gives that dreamy shabby-chic finish, and best of all—it promises no prep. No sanding. No priming. Just slap it on and go.

But let’s be honest:
That “no prep” promise is kind of a myth.

Don’t get me wrong—chalk paint has a lot of perks. Most brands are eco-friendly, some are even all-natural, and the paint is washable until sealed. You can paint indoors without the harsh fumes, distress it easily, and get that aged farmhouse look with almost no effort.

But here’s the thing: if you’re painting old or used furniture, you need to prep.
Because that piece probably has a history—and sometimes, that history shows up in the worst way: bleed-through.

I recently started a project on a small coffee table. I don’t have a proper “before” photo (oops), but picture this: a white finish with visible water marks and some surface damage. Not a beauty.

I gave it a quick sanding with a block just to smooth out the raised marks. Then I grabbed my chalk paint and brushed on the first coat. And… yikes.

Here’s what it looked like after one coat of paint:

• Stains were bleeding through like crazy
• Water marks still showed (raised textures don’t magically disappear under paint)
• My once-exciting project was suddenly looking like a hot mess

How to Stop Stains from Bleeding Through Chalk Paint

I reached out to a couple of trusted sources—one being my mom—and confirmed what I suspected:

Sometimes, you just need to go old-school and prime.

Here’s what worked for me:

Primer: I used Zinsser Cover Stain, a great oil-based primer that blocks stains and seals wood.
Brush: A cheap chip brush is perfect for applying oil-based products—no need to ruin your good brushes!

Because I was working in an apartment, I primed the table out in the garage since the fumes are a bit strong. But honestly? Totally worth it.

Bonus Tip: If you want to distress your piece or use a clear primer, try Zinsser Shellac. It’ll block stains without altering the finish underneath your paint.

Why I Still Love Chalk Paint (But Use Primer When I Need It)

I was bummed at first. I wasted some paint, lost some time, and had to wait an extra day to get back to the fun part. But in the end, I’m glad I took the extra step.

Bleed-through is sneaky. Even if it doesn’t show up in the first coat, it can still surface weeks (or months) later. I have a dresser I painted a while ago that’s just now starting to show spots—and trust me, once that happens, there’s no easy fix.

So no, chalk paint isn’t foolproof. Sometimes you do need to sand. You do need to prime. And that’s okay! It’s still an amazing tool when used right.

These Tables Deserve the Extra Effort

The table I’m working on—and the matching one I’ll paint next—were hand-built by my grandpa in the 1950s when he was in high school. These pieces have been part of my family’s life for decades, and I’m honored to bring them back to life.

So yeah—I’m totally okay with taking a few extra steps to make sure they turn out beautifully.

UPDATE: I Don’t Use Chalk Paint Anymore (Here’s Why)

Over time, I’ve moved on from chalk paint and started using other products I love even more—for better durability, fewer coats, and easier clean-up.

Want to know what I use now (and exactly how I paint furniture start to finish)?
Download my FREE Furniture Painting Guide + Supply List below.