How to chalk paint and glaze old cabinets under $200 - Part 2 - Chalk Paint

This is how I went from this:


To This:



Cabinet Revival for less than $200.

Prep Materials:
Sandpaper and sander - had on hand

Paint and Glaze Materials:
Velour Rollers - $10.00
Roller frame - had on hand
Paint tray - had on hand

My total out of pocket: $198.00

If you have to buy a sander, sandpaper, paint brush, paint tray and a roller frame, the total would come to just under $250.00. If you only need one gallon of paint, then the total is about $200.00.

I've included links to the items I purchased on Amazon as well as links to items I had on hand but would work for this project. My kitchen cabinets are approximately 9' long and 10' wide in a U-shape.


After spending a year designing a perfect kitchen using Ikea's design feature, we removed the wall between our kitchen and dining room and installed a bar. All of those steps are laid out in detail on other posts. We decided we liked the bar and wanted to keep it in our remodel. I created new kitchen designs on the app to incorporate the bar.

When the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, we were both sent home to work and we self-quarantined because Mauricio is high risk. My desk is right beside the kitchen. Day after day I would envision what it would look like totally redone. Due to Covid, we were not going shopping. I decided if I could redo my current cabinets, it might be a temporary fix and make me like the kitchen. I watched countless YouTube videos, read blogs and articles, trying to find the best methods. Eventually, I came up with a plan.

We live near the ocean and the house was meant to be in the style of a Spanish villa. Our house has a lot of dark wood and iron features salvaged from a hotel built in 1924 and torn down in 1983. The color had to be light but also complement the existing wood. I wanted the design to incorporate both the beach feel that is a trademark of many houses in the neighborhood, and an old-world Spanish feel.

I liked both the chalk paint and glaze techniques. I decided to try to use both on my cabinets. In my research I found:

  • Cabinets should be sanded for the paint to last.
  • Most people recommend using a primer on the cabinets before painting.
  • Some recommend latex paint with a hardener or cabinet paint. (I used neither)
  • Recipe for chalk paint
  • There are many methods to glazing. I found one that made sense and modified it.
Because everything had to be ordered online, the process was slow. I ordered a sample of KILZ Tribute Misty Morning paint that would serve as my primer and my paint, and General Finishes Water Based Glaze Effect in Van Dyke Brown. It took five days for both to arrive and the paint came busted with just a small amount left in the container. It was enough to let me test the color on a door from the cabinets we had removed.


I did not like how the glaze made the paint appear off white. I decided I needed to go with a stronger blue and I ordered two gallons of KILZ Tribute in Sailing Water. I wasn't sure how much I would need but knew I would likely need half a gallon of chalk paint. I used just about a gallon. One gallon would have been enough. It was ordered on May 9, 2020. Because of delays in shipping, due to arrive on May 28, 2020.

How to Chalk Paint and Glaze:

Half Gallon of Chalk Paint:
1 1/4 Cup Calcium Carbonate
3/4 Cup + 2 TBS Warm Water
Add to paint and wisk or use a paint stirrer


After you have prepared your cabinets, the next step is painting! Keep in mind, parts of yours doors won't be visible so don't need a lot of paint (if any).

Paint the Doors:

  • I used the KILZ Tribute paint as my primer and my paint.
  • I have space, so I put some doors on scrap pieces of 2X4 to raise them above the table. I had some other doors on sawhorses (with a tarp underneath).
  • Using the velour roller, I rolled on a coat of paint.
  • After the paint is fully dry, sand with 220 grit sandpaper.
  • Apply another coat of paint.
  • After the paint is fully dry, sand with 220 grit sandpaper.
  • Apply a coat of your pre-prepared chalk paint (see above).
  • If needed, apply a 2nd coat of chalk paint but sand in between the coats.
In short, 2 coats of paint, 2 coats of chalk paint with sanding between each coat. This process needs to be followed on both sides of the doors.

Some sites will say wait 24 hours between each coat but I was able to complete all coats on both sides in 3 days. I think it depends on the temperature and humidity of where you are working. I did let the doors sit 24 - 48 hours to "set" before I hung them back on the cabinets.

Paint the Cabinets:

  • Again, my paint was my primer.
  • I did not remove my drawers to paint them, instead I used the velour roller to paint two base coats and one chalk paint coat.
  • You do not need to paint the sides of your drawers, just the fronts.
  • I used a paint brush to paint the cabinet frame.
  • Make sure you paint inside the frame where the doors rest to get a clean look when the doors are closed.
  • Let the drawers stay open and dry for 24 - 48 hours so the paint won't stick to the frame.
Before Glazing




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