As you know, I use Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan for my projects as well as the refinishing work that I do. I am comfortable with her product and know the color line and waxes.
I do, however, think it’s important to know what is out there and how other paints work. Stifel & Capra started carrying Cece Caldwell and when I had a client show up with a console that she needed to be a dark black, it was time to try it out.
Here is what the console looked like when it arrived at my house.
The black made by Cece Caldwell is called Beckley Coal and it is a real black. She also makes a wax line as well.
If you have been using ASCP and try out a new line of furniture paint, you will notice some differences immediately. This Cece Caldwell paint was more tacky for me to use. It was not as clean on my brushes if that makes any sense and just a bit more gooey. But, it was definitely black.
Here it is in process. You will notice that it is shiny and very black.
Since I was not used to working with this product I decided to repaint my entry table in the Becklyn Coal so I could have some practice. I was happy I was getting the right color, but I must admit that I wasn’t in love with the way the wax handled. You will find it is more of a candle was and a bit stiffer than Annie’s. I also found that it left a bit of a salty residue in the places where I did not buff completely. I had to go over these places again to ensure that it covered this.
Here is the finished product. I think it turned out beautifully and was the true black that my client was looking for. 
If you are looking for black this is a great way to get it. Just be aware that handles differently. If you are not completly sold on having a true black, Graphite is a lovely, rich color that I actually prefer.
Funny that the color name is Beckley Coal. Beckley, WV is a coal-mining town here in WV, and is also where there is an Exhibition Coal Mine. 🙂
Very good information to have. Question. The brush that you showed in the picture, did you paint the top with that same brush?
If you use ASCP graphite withe the dark wax, you will get black.
Thanks for the specific feedback on your project. I think it is great you are willing to experiment. You did a beautiful job, the console is lovely.
This is truly beautiful either way and I am sure your customer was very happy with the extra mile you went on buffing. (wink wink!). I was just talking to DH last night about finding a black since ASCP did not have one and I do truly want a black and not a really dark graphite and I am not seeing that using the dark wax will get me this dark of black … so thank you for the tips. I do believe if you like something, you stick with it and your work is phenomenal so keep showing us it all………. I could sit and watch your you tubes and photos all night, but that ain’t gonna get my furniture finish, right? 🙂
This is truly beautiful either way and I am sure your customer was very happy with the extra mile you went on buffing. (wink wink!). I was just talking to DH last night about finding a black since ASCP did not have one and I do truly want a black and not a really dark graphite and I am not seeing that using the dark wax will get me this dark of black … so thank you for the tips. I do believe if you like something, you stick with it and your work is phenomenal so keep showing us it all………. I could sit and watch your you tubes and photos all night, but that ain’t gonna get my furniture finished, right? 🙂
CeCe Caldwell names all of her colors after places in the U.S.A.!!! Cool!
Hi Christen, I remember you reached out to your FB followers for suggestions on a pure black. At the time I replied by letting you know I use ASCP Graphite but add a pure black acrylic artist paint to the Graphite. I’m not trying to self promote, but here is a picture of a desk I just finished. I put one coat of clear (but don’t tell, I like MMS clear wax a bit better than ASCP) and one coat of ASCP dark wax. It is a much truer black than Graphite. If you try (or anyone else) it, just make sure to thoroughly mix the acrylic paint in with the ASCP paint.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/206039751675933417/
As always, love your style. That’s why you’re on I check your blog everyday! 🙂
Robin
I recently painted two bedside/end tables in black. Like Robin above I added black latex to a graphite chalk paint to get a richer black. (I mix a lot of my own chalk paint to get a variety of colors.) On these two pieces, I first painted all edges with a rich terracotta orange (latex). After painting two coats of the black, I would wax small areas (I like MMS clear also), I would gently distress edges with soft steel wool so the orange would who through. I was extremely pleased with the outcome. It is a technique I will use again. I have also mixed a rich blue for a hutch to bring out the blue in transferware pottery. I painted the interior of the hutch with a light yellow to make the blue transferware “pop”. I love the variety.