CeCe Caldwell and Annie Sloan: How do they compare?

This is unsolicited opinion based on my personal use of 2 quarts of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and 1 quart of CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint. I have not been compensated in any way for my opinions or reviews. I have never been contacted by either company. The opinions are  my own.

After a day of stripping, I was ready to put some paint on a few tthings! I decided to open my recent purchase of CeCe Caldwell chalk + clay paint. 

There's a new shop just a few blocks from my house - Milk and Honey Style. They carry CCC paint, and a brand of milk paint as well. (I will probably try that next.)

I'd already decided to buy some paint, and then they had a 20 percent-off deal, which took about ten bucks off my purchase price. 

Looking at the label, CeCe's paint is chalk AND clay. It also says, "PAINT MADE EASY."

Hmmm. Sounds promising, so here are my first two test subjects:

1 - a cute little wall shelf I found at the same garage sale where I scored a herd of deer antlers.  I like the gray, but I need it to be white. 

2 - another dusty shelf I found months ago at a thrift store. I finally figured out where I want to use it, and it's going white. I'm not sure, but it might be sprayed black. A closer inspection while dusting and wiping out a few spider eggs  (yuck) looked a tad uneven like un-primed oil spray paint on plywood might look. 

Availability

Before I even started painting, there were a couple of things CCC paint had going for it; availability was a biggie. Since Milk and Honey Style is just a few blocks away, I didn't have to buy gas or drive the half hour to the closest ASCP stockist available to me. Hi-five, CeCe!

Cost

CeCe's paint is a tad cheaper - maybe 5 bucks from my sources. That's a deal breaker, if everything else is equal. The stockist offered a special 20 percent discount, which I've never heard of with ASCP. Cece wins.

Prep Work

Since both my test subjects have been previously painted with who knows what, they'll be great tests for the claim that it will stick to anything, just like the Annie Sloan paint. 

Both pieces simply got a wipe down with a damp rag. I'll call that one a tie.

Ease of Application

Both paints are very thick, and dilute with water. LOVE that. I used the paint full-strength for my first paint projects, applying it with a sponge roller. I had a cheap brush, which was a tad coarse, and it left heavy brush strokes in the CCC paint. I switched to the sponge roller, and it worked great!

Ease of application is pretty equal between the two paints.

Coverage

I painted one coat of paint on both pieces. I could tell right away they needed a full second coat. CCC required 2 full coats, and will need another touch-up coat to cover the black piece. ASCP might also require 2 coats over black. 

The photo above is one coat on the gray shelf (back side.)

Below is two coats - a touch up is definitely needed, if not a third coat.

Drying Time

Drying time seems to be shorter for ASCP, though not by a lot. When painting with ASCP, often, a second touch-up coat is ready to be applied once the first coat is done. 

I'm writing this while waiting for a first coat or CeCe's paint to dry. I suspect it's comparable to a lot of latex paints. Annie wins this one.

Ease of Distressing

I was a bit shocked when the sales person said, "You paint, let it dry, then you can distress with a wet rag." While that is less labor intensive than sanding, I wonder about the durability of the CeCe paint. Even with a coat of soft wax, will my shelves fare well in a bathroom?

24 hours after the first coat, I tried the wet rag - well a wet athletic sock orphan. Judge for yourself, then read my opinions:

I didn't mind the look of the tube sock distressing along the edges of the shelves, but when I made a few swipes down the flat planes of the front boards, too much paint came off. I'll definitely be touching that up when I do the third coat.

Yes - the paint comes off with a wet rag. Is that a good thing? In my opinion, no. I also think I have much more control with a piece of sandpaper than a wet rag. Annie wins by a mile on this one.

Durability

I have not sealed all my ASCP things, and they're wearing very well. I'd read the paint is fully cured after about a month. I have noticed no extra wear - even on my un-sealed pieces. I think the CCC paint will require a wax or sealer - especially on pieces that will see any amount of wear - chairs, dressers, tables. It might not be required on picture frames or other things that don't get as much wear. Though it will take some time to know for sure, Annie most likely will win this one. I'll let you know in a month or so.

In order to give CeCe the benefit of the doubt, I'll wax the pieces after a third coat, and photograph them. 

I'll let you know how durable it is compared to the ASCP pieces I have painted, which to date are wearing very well.

Web Site and user information

Annie Sloan has TONS of information about how to use the paint in a variety of applications, as well as photos of paint treatments, videos, etc. She speaks to the durability of her paints as well as trouble shooting applying it to unusual surfaces. 

CeCe Caldwell's web site offers mainly info about the "green" aspects of the paint. While non-toxic paint is a good thing, again, it's a matter of priorities. Annie's paint is low VOC as well.

Both sites have access to retailers. In my opinion, Annie's web site is MUCH better.

Summary

In my humble opinion today, I think ASCP might be worth a 30 minute drive and $5 bucks extra, since durability is a big factor for me. 

I realize this is not exactly an "apples and apples" comparison, since they're similar paints, but not exactly the same. But it's not apples and oranges either.

CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint vs. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Availability
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Color Selection
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint - 36	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - 30
Cost
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Prep Work
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Ease of Application
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Coverage
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Drying Time
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Ease of Distressing
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Durability
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Final Analysis = Tie
CeCe Caldwell Chalk and Clay Paint	Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
It all depends which qualities you find more important. Technically, CCC Paint wins for having 6 more colors than ASCP. However, the palettes are very similar, and neither has a full range of bright colors.

    Shelf on left is CeCe Caldwell Vintage White, Chair on right is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old White.

I'll keep painting, finish my entire quart of CeCe Caldwell paint and report back on how many items  I was able to paint with it. (But I probably WILL NOT paint the chest of drawers I was planning to paint with it.) I'll stick to the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for that.

Regardless how the paint wears, I'm probably not going to buy another quart of it. I'm an Annie Sloan fan.

To read about my experience with ASCP - go HERE.

Word for the Day:

Psalm 40:5

You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

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