Chalk paint is a fantastic product, but it’s expensive. However, with just some basic ingredients and a “can do” attitude, you can learn how to make chalk paint for a fraction of the cost. Chalk paint got is name because it covers the piece of furniture with a soft, chalky patina that gives that piece an incredible antique look.
Chalk paint is a paint that is easily applied on just about everything. The great thing is that chalk paint requires no preparing or sanding of anything you wish to paint outside or inside. Covering easily and drying quickly, chalk paint provides a beautiful patina, and your distressed item comes out looking wonderful with very little effort.
Chalk Paint is so named because it is applied smoothly, it dries quickly, and it can be easily sanded to make your piece have that great, distressed look.
Chalk paint recipes
Here are three of the most popular chalk paint recipes: Plaster of Paris, Baking Soda, and Unsanded Grout. There are only three ingredients for each recipe and using the quantities specified below will allow you to make just over a cup of paint each.
Plaster of Paris Chalk Paint Recipe
Has a very gritty texture despite a thorough mixing, it’s perfect if you’re trying to achieve an old weathered, distressed “country” looking piece of furniture.
- 1 cup Latex Paint
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons Water
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons Plaster of Paris
When mixed well, it is silky smooth and applies just as nicely as any brand name chalk paint.
- 1 cup Latex Paint
- 3 Tablespoons Cool Water
- 1/2 cup Baking Soda
Have to keep mixing it while painting and add more water because it thickens very quickly, by day two it would have really congealed and still more water will need to be added.
- 1 cup Latex Paint
- 1 Tablespoon Cool Water
- 2 Tablespoons Unsanded Grout