Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vs Rust-Oleum Chalked
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
The premium boutique option, a thick, high-pigment paint that grips almost any surface without sanding or priming, with an excellent, cleanly intermixing color range ideal for distressing and wax finishes. It is the most expensive choice per volume, almost always needs a separately bought wax topcoat that is labor-intensive, and is stockist-only.
| Type | Chalk paint |
|---|---|
| Coverage | ~150 sq ft per litre |
| Topcoat | Wax or lacquer needed |
| Recoat | ~1-2 hrs |
| Cleanup | Soap and water |
| Use | Furniture, cabinets, decor |
Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint
A budget chalk paint easy to find in big-box stores that adheres to most surfaces with no sanding or priming, often covering in one or two coats and distressing easily, with soap-and-water cleanup. It ships in a 30 oz can, not a full quart, is less hard-wearing than pro acrylics so high-use pieces need the topcoat, and its colors are limited.
| Type | Chalk paint (ultra matte) |
|---|---|
| Coverage | ~150 sq ft per 30 oz |
| Topcoat | Optional clear topcoat for high-wear pieces |
| Recoat | ~2-4 hrs |
| Cleanup | Soap and water |
| Use | Furniture, cabinets, decor |
Our verdict
These two bracket the chalk paint market. Annie Sloan costs roughly $45 per litre and is sold through independent stockists, but rewards you with high-pigment coverage, superior color depth, and paint that intermixes cleanly for custom shades, at the cost of a labor-intensive wax finish. Rust-Oleum Chalked runs under $30 for a 30 oz can at big-box stores, goes on with no sanding, and only needs an optional topcoat on high-wear pieces, though its color range is smaller and more muted. Choose Annie Sloan for a showpiece where color and finish matter most and you do not mind waxing; choose Rust-Oleum when you want a cheap, easy-to-find paint for a fast dresser or shelf makeover. Both grip well without priming, so the real deciding factors are budget and how much finishing effort you want to invest.