After spending $45 and a half day drive on a quart of brand name chalk paint, I was determined to find the BEST Homemade Chalk Paint Recipes for a cost efficient alternative.
If you’re interested in mixing your own chalk paint to save yourself time and money, read on because I discovered a bunch of interesting stuff I wasn’t made aware of on other blogs.
I tried four (4) of the most popular Homemade Chalk Paint Recipes and the results surprised me and left me with a hands-down fave! In sharing my experience, I hope it helps you decide which DIY recipe is right for you.
So let’s start my countdown…. 😉
Baking Soda Recipe
2/3 cup Paint
1/3 cup Baking Soda
Mix really well
My least favourite is the baking soda recipe.
When applying this Homemade Chalk Paint, (HMCP) it had a very gritty texture despite a thorough mixing. I could actually see the tiny granulars in the paint as I was applying each coat.
I was worried it wouldn’t sand down properly, but it turned out just fine…. whew! Here’s what it looks like after the final sanding/distressing.
Although Baking Soda Chalk Paint is listed last on my countdown, it’s perfect if you’re trying to achieve an old weathered, distressed “country” looking piece of furniture.
Deana at Alchemy Fine Living has a great video showcasing a dresser painted with the Baking Soda Chalk Paint Recipe.
Baking Soda Chalk Paint Cost – $1.69 for a box of baking soda which can be used for another 5 single chalk paint recipes + cost of latex paint
Time Involved – No time was spent on the purchase because I always have baking soda in my kitchen. 2-3 minutes to mix it thoroughly into the paint.
Application – Grainy look and feel even when mixed thoroughly.
Adhesion & Coverage – Great! No priming or sanding required and great coverage. Good coverage after 2 coats but I applied 3.
Odour – No odour other than the latex paint it’s mixed with.
Clean Up – Cleans up like regular latex. Not as easy as 100% green brand name chalk paint.
Distressing – Requires sanding. Not as effortless as brand name chalk paint (ie distressing with dampened cloth).
Finish – The finished look is chalky but not quite as smooth as brand name chalk paint.
Non-Sanded Grout Recipe
1 cup Paint
2 Tbsp Unsanded Grout
Water to mix Grout
Number 3 on my list is the Unsanded Grout Recipe.
I mixed the grout with the water, then once smooth, added it to the paint. It looked and applied like a brand name chalk paint. It dried fast (within 1/2 hour), and the finish was just as “chalky” as the store bought.
It had a bit of a weird odour…ok…really weird. But because it was applying so beautifully, I wasn’t bothered by it too much.
Fabulous! … so why is it listed No.3 on my list?
This DIY Homemade Grout version started to thicken up while I was applying my first coat…. it turned more like thick icing than paint.
I had to keep mixing it while I was painting and eventually had to add more water because it was too thick. The next day it had really congealed and more water was needed. Take a look… it just kept turning into a thick mess!
Here is the before and after. The table on the left is painted with Baking Soda HMCP and the table on the right is painted with Unsanded Grout HMCP. Can you see a difference?
Unsanded Grout Chalk Paint Cost – $17.99 for a large 10lb bag which will last a zillion single recipes + cost of latex paint
Time Involved – Easy to find Non-Sanded Grout on-line or at any Lowe’s, Home Depot, Rona, Canadian Tire or any on-line home reno store. Note – Grout comes in different colours. You want to buy white unsanded grout. Why? If you add a coloured grout to your paint, it may alter your paint’s hue. 3-5 minutes to measure and mix it thoroughly into the water and paint.
Application – Fabulous… until it started thickening up. Then time was spent mixing it and adding additional water to obtain the right consistency.
Adhesion & Coverage – Great! No priming or prep required and it had full coverage after 3 coats. The more water I added, the thinner the coverage.
Odour – It had a weird smell. I’d love to explain it to you but I don’t know what to compare it to?
Distressing – Requires sanding. Not as effortless as with a brand name chalk paint (ie rubbing with dampened cloth).
Clean Up – Cleans up like regular latex (brand name chalk paint cleans up much easier)
Finish – The finished look is exactly like a brand name chalk paint. Smooth, chalky and lovely.
Plaster of Paris Recipe
3 parts Paint
1 part Plaster of Paris
Water to mix
My number 2 pick is the Plaster of Paris recipe.
I made a smooth paste with the plaster of paris and water before mixing it into the paint. When mixed well, it was silky smooth and applied just as nicely as brand name chalk paint.
The second day it did thicken a little and appeared a little grainy, but after a thorough mixing it was fine.
The left over paint was stored in a glass pickle jar and used again 2 weeks later.
Plaster of Paris Chalk Paint Cost – $6.oo for a large box which will last for a looong time + cost of latex paint
Time Involved – Easy to find Plaster of Paris on-line or at any Lowes, Home Depot, Rona, Canadian Tire or craft store. 3-5 minutes to measure and mix it thoroughly into the water and paint.
Application – Fabulous! The consistency was great and it applied like brand name chalk paint.
Adhesion & Coverage – Great! No priming or prep required. Applied 3 coats for compete coverage.
Odour – None other than the latex paint used.
Distressing – Requires sanding. Not as effortless as with a brand name chalk paint (ie rubbing with dampened cloth).
Clean Up – Cleans up like regular latex (brand name chalk paint clean up is much easier)
Finish – The finished look is exactly like a brand name chalk paint. Smooth, chalky and lovely.
I used the Plaster of Paris Chalk Paint Recipe to re-purpose an old sewing table into a little girl’s desk. What do you think?
Calcium Carbonate
2 parts paint
1 part Calcium Carbonate
My hands down #1 choice was the Calcium Carbonate Recipe…which makes good sense since Calcium Carbonate is chalk!
It mixed into the paint easily, had the perfect consistency, coverage was fantastic, dried within 30 minutes, AND left me with a perfect chalky finish. I stored the left over paint in a yogurt container and it kept the same consistency for days. (I did stir it vigorously each time before use.)
The only downfall to my #1 choice was I had a difficult time finding it! Not many stores sell it in powder form and the pill form won’t work even if you grind them up.
My local pharmacy ordered it in for me and I picked it up 4 days later. Since then, I’ve found a good grade Calcium Carbonate On-line and will be ordering from the comfort of my home. 🙂
As I mentioned above, the Plaster of Paris recipe was used to re-purpose the sewing table into a desk, but I used the Calcium Carbonate Chalk Paint to paint the matching chair. Can you tell the difference?
Calcium Carbonate Chalk Paint Cost – $11.99 for a 500g container which I’m almost finished. I’ve painted 1 chair, a large desk (NOT the one shown above) and 2 large chalk board frames. I have enough left over for another small/medium project. Out of all four(4) recipes, Calcium Carbonate is the least economical. However, comparing it to brand name chalk paints, the cost difference is still pennies on the dollar in this recipes favour! + cost of latex paint
Time Involved – Took me 2 weeks to track this stuff down! I searched Shoppers Drug Mart, Health Food Stores, Organic Stores and finally asked at my local pharmacy. Next time, I’ll be ordering it on-line! 3-5 minutes to measure and mix it thoroughly into the paint.
Application – Fabulous…exactly like brand name chalk paints.
Adhesion & Coverage – Great! No priming or prep required and the coverage was fantastic. It dried faster than the Plaster of Paris (within 20 minutes) because no water was added.
Odour – None, other than the latex paint used.
Distressing – Requires sanding. Not as effortless as with a brand name chalk paint (ie rubbing with dampened cloth).
Clean Up – Cleans up like regular latex (brand name chalk paint clean up is much easier)
Finish – The finished look is exactly like a brand name chalk paint. Smooth, chalky and beautiful!
So the Best Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe… Calcium Carbonate!
Although these HMCP recipes are not 100% green, the coverage and finish are VERY comparable to brand name chalk paints. In researching all my options, I also learned Wall Texture, Limestone and Whitening Powder can be used to make chalk paint.
I wish I knew who to give credit to for the above recipes. Whoever originally came up with them… thank-you… absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!
Still undecided which DIY recipe you’re going to try? You can read more HMCP Tips here.
If you have a HMCP experience you’d like to share or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get right back to you!
Enjoy your day & happy painting.
Denise
Erika says
I not sure who which I am going to try yet, either #1 or #2 but my question is after painting with these recipes how do u finish? Wax? Polyurethane? Or nothing at all .. does it need any type of (I guess u would call it) seal?
Denise says
Wax or Poly Erika. Chalk/Mineral Paints are very porous and attract oil and dirt easily so it’s important to seal to keep your piece looking good.
Anna says
Hello, I just wanted to ask what type of paint should I use with the Calcium Carbonate? Acrylic or latex? Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards.
Denise says
Usually plane ol’ latex is used but either or Anna.. both are water based.
Nora says
Hi Denise, thanks for letting us in on your experiments I did a chest of drawers using Rustoleum chalk paint but it was rather expensive so when I came across your blog I was delighted, I’m just wondering if you have to mix the calcium carbonate with water before adding it to the paint? I am painting my wardrobes so will be using 1lr at a time and still not sure how much cc to use for 1Lr of paint any help would be appreciated thanks. Nora
Denise says
Nora, I do not mix the CC with water but if your working with really thick paint you can add a little to thin. I prefer working in smaller (fresh batch) amounts of the DIY Chalk/Mineral Paint. I would start with 2 cups paint to 1 cup CC. Once finished, mix another fresh batch. 🙂
Donna says
Calcium carbonate can be found a most swimming pool supplies stores.
Tina Hauri says
Denise-
Thank you so very much! You are thoughtful, innovative and so pleasant-what a delight. Your paint potions and portion testing are fabulous. In conjunction with a front entrance makeover, your tips are helping me rock my early chalk painting projects and create some really customized pieces from my existing furniture. Thrilled!
Much gratitude-Tina
Jae says
Thank you so much for sharing your experiments! Now, I just want to paint a board to use as a chalkboard at my shows. Which recipe works the best for that? I thank you in advance for your help.
Denise says
The Calcium Carbonate works great and then don’t forget to ‘season you board’ before use. 🙂
Clare Richards says
Excellent blog – a few quick questions…
– I don’t want to distress the finish too much if at all, is chalk paint still okay to use or would you recommend just using regular paint? Would the chalk paint finish be too rough without sanding? I’m planning to do a dining room table legs and four chairs.
– Do you finish the whole piece after with a clear wax?
Thanks 🙂
Denise says
Clare, chalk/mineral paint can create a distressed or non distressed finish. For a professional finish (whether you use regular or chalkpaint) I suggest a final sanding for a smooth look. For dining tables and chairs or high traffic items like this, my preferred top coat is a water based poly, but yes, you can seal in clear wax if you prefer. Best on your project. x
anna says
to make my own chalk paint……can i add coloured paint to the mixture or just white paint ? must it be just matt or can it be silk or what ever??
Denise says
The beauty of these DIY versions are you can use ANY color paint Anna. Skies the limit. Just buy the paint in the color of your choosing and then add the chalking ingredient. Flat/Matt paints work best.
Melinda says
Hi I just wanted to clarify are the parts by volume or weight?
Denise says
Volume Melinda. I use a measuring cup to measure the paint and the chalking ingredient. 🙂
Alice-Anne says
Hi Denise, thank you so much for the chalk paint recipes. Where I live the calcium carbonate is actually the easiest product to find and very cheap… I paid about $10 for a bag of 25kgs. My question is….. Do you know any recipes for the wax finish?
Denise says
Hi Alice-Anne! I have my own DIY version for Antique Dark Wax. It’s great because I can customize the color/antiquing specific to the the furniture I’m restyling.
CSH says
Regarding recipe #4, look for powdered marble by Fredrix. They sell it at like Dick Blick and other stores. It’s calcium carbonate and used for canvas grounds, like gesso and such. 4 lbs for like 8 dollars.
Krista says
Thanks so much for the recipes and sharing your tests and results! Have you used any of these homemade chalk paint recipes for painting metal? I have an old cruiser bike that works great but needs to be re-painted and somewhere I got the idea to try chalk paint! I only want to do it once, so if you have any suggestions, I would be very appreciative! Thank you!
Denise says
Krista, DIY Chalk/Mineral paint works on metal (prep required) and other surfaces, however if it were my bike, I would buy a spray paint specific for metal application! Just my two cents. 🙂
Cindy says
They say you can get the calcium carbonate at a hardware store or farm store. It is used also for marking lines for baseball or football. May be cheaper that way. I am looking in to finding some in couple of weeks. Thanks for all your research. Makes it easier to try.
Adina says
Hi Denise! I love your work! Thank you so much for sharing. Can acrylic paint be used to mix with calcium carbonate to achieve the chalk paint mix?
Denise says
Thanks and yes it can Adina. 🙂
Pace says
Hi !
Quick question, you said you needed 3 coats with the Plaster of Paris for complete coverage. How many did you need with the 4th option (number 1) !?
also, any specify brand of latex paint you recommend? Is there a cheap way to get many different colours… ?
Thank you 🙂
P.
Denise says
Pace, the amount of coats needed (using any of the above recipes) will really depend on what you’re painting over. For instance, I was using a white over darker wood in my example above. If I had used a darker paint, possibly two coats would have been enough. And any brand of latex (water based paint) works nicely.
Danielle says
I’m pretty new to chalk paint. I am redoing a makeup vanity and using a homemade calcium carbonate recipe. I’m thinking maybe I need to seal the top with something other than wax since it will probably get makeup and other things spilled on it- or do you think wax would be okay? I have both a cream wax or minwax paste I could use if you think wax would stand up to the job! any advice would be so appreciated!!
Denise says
I don’t know about you but my make-up counter always ends up with spills Danielle…lol. I prefer using a water based poly for high traffic items. Minwax Polycrylic or Varathane or General Finsihes are all amazing brands (my favs) and come in various sheens to match your project. Super durable, EASY clean up and you will never have to reapply down the road as you will with a wax.
[email protected] says
I was planning to use the Minwax regular wax on the vanity I am painting. But it sounds like it might be better to use the poly. If you put the poly on white paint do you notice any yellowing as it ages? Also, for a vanity, would you use poly on the entire thing, or only the top? Thanks so much for the recipes. I too got calcium carbonate through Amazon—they had several sizes from 1 lb to 50 lbs.
Denise says
I would use a non-yellowing poly (will state non-yellowing on the can) on the entire piece. This way you won’t have to worry about spills, dirt, grease etc and clean-up is a breeze.
persy says
Hi,
Thanks a lot for the receipes! I bought a water based color and the storeman told me to use 3/4 of color and 1/4 of water before using it. It has a thick texture. Do I still need to use the water if I mix it with calcium carbonate? Thanks
Denise says
Probably not Persy.. just add the Calcium Carbonate in and mix really well then check if you like the consistency. If it’s a little thicker than you like, add a touch more water.
Sue says
Denise,
I bought a Valspar Signature Semi-Gloss latex paint in a color that I love, but now would like to give the chalk paint a try on a few items. Can I use the Semi-Gloss to make the chalk paint with a paint that shiny??
Thank you for any advice you can give me! (Your blog and posts are fantastic! Thank you!)
Sue
Denise says
Awww thanks Sue! x I’ve used semi-gloss paints with the above recipes and it’s turned out fine. It’s just not “quite” as flat/chalky as when using a matte/flat/eggshell paint.
Diana A. says
I love all the ideas you so share with us! I also love working with Calcium Carbonate! I buy mine at Sprouts food store and I also have ordered it from Amazon. Nothing like running out of something you NEED and no where to get it! My next attempt is trying the Bondo technique you shared with us.
Denise says
Thanks for sharing this Diana. And if/when you try Bondo, feel free to let me know how it all works out for you! x
Swati says
Hi Denise,
Stumbled upon your blog purely by chance. I’m totally in awe of the fact that you’ve taken the time out to reply individually to what must be hundreds of comments.
I wanted to ask – would any of these DIY recipes work with a satin enamel paint? Cos I already have two tins lying around that I want to use. This is an Indian brand that requires turpentine to be mixed in.
Also, there is a crack in a not-so-visible part of a bench I want to paint. If I use wood putty to fill it in, would I need to use primer over it or would the chalk paint go on directly over the filled-in part? Thanks.
Denise says
Depending on how many coats you apply, you probably don’t need to worry about primer over the wood putty Swati. As for the Indian brand paint that requires turpentine to mixed in, I’ll be honest… I have NO IDEA…lol. 🙂 I’ve used satin and/or enamel paints for the above DIY recipes, however our water based paints don’t require anything else to mixed in. I wish I could be more help.
Swati says
Thanks, Denise 🙂
Lisa says
I have used the non-sanded grout for many projects and never had a problem with it getting thick. However, I DO NOT mix it with water. I just add it to the paint and blend it well with an electric hand mixer – works like a charm and my paint does not thicken. Give it a whirl!
Denise says
Bake baking soda in oven to turn it into sodium carbonate. Google it and a number of videos show how. Thx for all the recipes and info!
Angelique says
I found your post after a night of frustration with what I thought was my “tried & true” POP method of homemade chalk paint of 3:1:1 I’ve painted TONS of things, including the walls of an entire bathroom! But for some reason when I mixed my ingredients together last night, it was very thick and gritty. I tried it 3 times, wasting all that paint made me sick! For the life of me I can’t figure out what I did wrong….HELP!
Denise says
Yike… frustrating after it’s worked so well TONS of times! And you haven’t done anything wrong Angelique! A different brand of paint or even the temperature/humidity in a room can change a recipes outcome. Try less Plaster of Paris and don’t hesitate to change the ratio’s until you find what works.
Cheryl says
Love your article about chalk paint. I make my own using regular writing chalk. I use a mortar and pestle to grind it up good and then measure out some and mix it with warm water, mixing it in the mortar(I just keep adding the chalk mixture to the paint until I have the texture I want) I use whatever paint I have on hand and so far it works great with everything. My favorite paint is regular white flat ceiling paint. Then I use craft paint to tint the paint to whatever color I want, a little sanding and distressing and a coat or two of wax and it’s done! ( And writing chalk is super, super cheap!! Hope you all give it a try, I’m getting ready to go make some and get some painting done!!
cindy says
Doe think you could share the measurements of the ingredients you use to make your homemade chalk paint please? This is all new to me. Thank you 🙂
Ann says
Love this idea .thanks for sharing it with us .
Where would I buy writing chalk and craft paint please ?
I’m from uk ,can’t seem to get it here . Do u get yrs online ?
Thanks
Ann
sharon stclair says
I have a whole house to paint..walls and trim , can this process be used on walls? And then last year I painted some furniture with a shinny black paint, can I use Chalk Paint recipes you listed to paint over conventional glossy paints? Thanks !!!!
Denise says
Yes, chalky paints can be used on walls. It’s good to keep in mind that they are very porous and easily pick up dirt/oils etc so maybe not ideal for high traffic areas. For glossy surfaces, I like to give my pieces a light sanding.
Laurie says
Hi Denise….thank you for posting your recipes. I am new to using chalk paints and bought ArtMind brand. Yes, expensive, and after watching Annie Sloans videos, I expected it to work the same. I found 2 of the darker colours I bought did not match what it showed on the label…it was WAY darker. So question: Could I make one of these recipes in white and add my blue or green to lighten it up? And second, the 2 waxes I bought are more of a liquid than a paste! They are sticky to apply, and you have to wait 24 hours before buffing. I am very disappointed in this product…and it was not inexpensive. You say you use Minwax. Have you tried doing a dark wax over this to get the antique effect? Thanks! Laurie
Denise says
I’ve mixed DIY Chalky Paints into Annie Sloan (and other brand names) and have never had any issues. So lightening up your paint should work nicely Laurie. Yes, I use dark wax to antique over these recipes quite often!
Laurie says
Thanks Denise I will try that. I since tried this brand’s clear wax and dark wax. They start out liquidy, but get real sticky and hard to wipe off. Then I can’t buff them enough to get any shine at all. Very disappointed once again. You said you use Minwax? How do you make an dark wax? Laurie
Denise says
Here’s how I make my custom dark wax. https://salvagedinspirations.com/tinting-furniture-wax-with-paint/
Laurie says
Thank you….great info. I sure wish I had found your website BEFORE I spent all that money on poor quality products. I will continue to watch your site. Thanks again! Laurie
jan says
Hi Denise!
I love all that info you’ve shared 🙂
I’m wanting to paint walls. Any advice, please? (I was thinking about the Annie Sloan chalk paints, but then I noticed the price tag! However, I don’t want the odour of regular paint …)
Thankyou again
Denise says
These DIY versions have the exact same odor of the latex you add them too Jan… they are not completely odor free.
Abby says
I noticed all your examples were with a white paint. I’m considering doing this but I want a dark espresso or black. I’m wondering if any, or all of, these methods would change the color to a grey since they all are adding a white powder. Have you had any experience with dark colors?
Abby says
I’m also wondering if the baking soda technique might be less gritty if you mixed the baking soda with water first to help dissolve it before mixing it in the paint.
Denise says
Abby, the above recipes will not change the color of dark paints. However, mixing thoroughly is extremely important when using dark paints. If the chalking ingredient is not mixed in 100%, tiny white particles may show up in the paint or once you start to sand.
Audrey says
With the plaster of Paris mixture, is it 3 parts paint to 1 part plaster including the water? Like, say I use 3/4 cups of paint, do I scoop 1/4 cup of plaster, then eyeball the water on top of that or should that 1/4 cup include the water? Thanks
Denise says
No Audrey, the 3:1 ration does not include the water. Measure 1 part Plaster of Paris in relation to your paint, and THEN add in as much water as needed to make it a silky smooth before adding it to your paint.
lisa says
So I just tried your plaster of paris recipe and got a huge clump of a mess, was not able to use the paint at all. It says 3 parts paint and 1 part plaster of paris so I used 1 cup of paint and 1/3 cup of plaster of paris. I first mixed the plaster of paris with water to make a paste like you said and then added my 1 cup of paint and it is a giant clump of clay. Did I calculate wrong? It seems as though much less plaster of paris would be needed.
Denise says
Paint brand, humidity and other factors can come into play so I would try adding less Plaster of Paris Lisa. Don’t hesitate to adjust the recipe(s) so they work perfectly for you. Good luck! 🙂
lisa says
which recipe is best for upholstery? i want to do my antique couch.
Denise says
My guess (and from what other SI Readers have told me) is the Calcium Carbonate recipe. However I have not personally tried any of these recipes on upholstery yet.
Colleen Lahndt says
Loved reading this blog. With the homemade recipes, are the chalk paints still applied with a cloth? The Youtube videos that I watched showed using a cloth. Then for the wax, did you use a brush or still a cloth? Thank you so much.
Denise says
I have to admit I’ve never seen brand name Chalk Paint or DIY versions being applied with cloth… only distressed with a cloth. DIY chalk paints can be applied with anything regular latex paint can be applied with ie brush, roller etc. The wax can be applied with a cloth or brush.. doesn’t make a difference.
Elsa says
Can I make CHALK PAINT with Polyurethane Acrlylic Enamel paint
Sara Jo says
I love the comparisons!! I’ve been wondering what the best mixture was and this is SO HELPFUL! I do want to ask, since this is my first time chalk painting anything, do you really not sand or prime the piece at all before you paint? I saw above that you said many surfaces don’t need to be sanded or primed but I’d love to get your thoughts on my specific situation. I’m going to do a trial run on an old bathroom vanity that we’re replacing, it’s a wood veneer type. If I use the plaster of Paris mixture, do you think sanding and priming is necessary? They’re the typical “builder’s grade” honey oak color right now. Thanks in advance!
Denise says
It really depends on the topcoat Sara. If your vanity has a glossy/shiny topcoat, I suggest a light sanding to give it some ‘tooth’ before painting. You could always test a small inconspicuous area if you’re unsure.
Joyce says
The easiest to find source of calcium carbonate is agriculture lime which is found in any farm store or gardening store. It might even be sold in the plant section of box stores.
Cindy Roth says
Thank you so much, Denise, for trying out those “recipes” and sharing your secrets. I couldn’t believe the price of a can of chalk paint, when I looked today. It sounds so humble!
I just discoverd your blog by doing a search for chalk paint recipes, and I look forward to reading about your other projects.
Denise says
Pleasure Cindy… and welcome! 🙂
Susan says
I read somewhere not to use paint with a primer in it but cant remember if it is if you use plaster of paris or calcium carbonate. I am thinking about using a mixture with both but cant find the original article anywhere and want to start my project
Denise says
Susan, I’ve used a 2 in 1 paint and primer with these recipes. It does work – but it’s not needed or my preference.
Becky says
hello, I’m pretty new to all this repurposing stuff, and I love it. I was spending $$$ on store chalk paint then found your recipes, yea! I like a smooth finish so I used your #1 calcium carbonate diy. Everything about it was just as you wrote except the smooth finish. I found it very grainy compared to store bought. Do you think I did something wrong?
#2 When I sand my spots to distress, the areas around the sanded spot that show through show a rubbed or smooth finish. Do you have any ideas on how to avoid that. I can totally see it and that makes it look like its on purpose instead of a natural distress. Make since?
Thanks so mush for your blog and help.
Denise says
Becky, it may be the brand of Calcium Carbonate that you’re using. NOT your fault…some brands are not as fine! I use the finest human grade CC I can buy and I’ve never had any problems with distressing or grainyness. It’s more like a fine powder and doesn’t even need water prior to mixing into my paint.
Sheila says
I was wondering if I could use satin paint w the chalk idea. I had already bought the red satin paint for my entertainment center
Denise says
Hi Sheila… yes satin works it’s just not quite as chalky. 🙂
Clayton says
I have acrylic water based paint. Would this work with plaster of parris or must you use a latex?
Denise says
Hi Clayton! There is no difference between acrylic and/or latex paints (both are water based), so yes, acrylic paints work with all of the above recipes.
barbara says
i want to paint a desk but i dont want it to be able to be written on so is there something i can put on it to seal paint. i heard you can paint a piece with out sanding is it true
Denise says
Enamel paints are an excellent choice for furniture because they provide a tough-durable surface… more so than the ‘regular’ latex paints we use for walls. I like Sherwin Williams ProClassic® Interior Acrylic Latex Enamel. You can also topcoat with a poly for extra endurance. As for sanding, if you use a milk-paint or chalk type paint, many surfaces won’t require sanding… otherwise, it’s always good practice to scruff the piece up before applying paint/primer for proper adhesion. For the little extra time sanding takes, I think it’s well worth knowing all that hard work will last. 🙂
Jane says
Troubles finding plaster of Paris, Benin told dry wall compound works, have you tried that?
Denise says
I have not Jane, but a few SI Readers have posted it’s worked for them. If you give it a try, feel free to post your results. 🙂
victoria says
at wlamart about 6$.
Gigi says
I am planning to paint my dining chairs which are fabric. I am planning to use the calcium carbonate recipe. Do I need to use minwax to seal after it is painted. Thanks
Denise says
Although I have a few chairs I’m dying to try this on, I still haven’t painted any fabric Gigi. I have read other bloggers tutorials though and yes, they are applying a wax to seal the fabric.
Stephanie says
What kind of wax did you use with the calcium carbonate recipe?? Do you know if using this type while pregnant and for a crib are safe??
Denise says
Hi Stephanie! Minwax Furniture Paste but any brand wax will work with these recipes. And as far as I know, there are no additional safety issues with using the calcium carbonate recipe than there would be painting with a straight latex paint. The NOW Calcium Carbonate I use is a Food Grade quality which some people take as a daily supplement. 🙂
Pam Hatch says
Does the plaster of paris change the color of the paint? I’m trying to match with an Annie Sloan paint.
Denise says
No it won’t change your paint color Pam.
Joey ledlie says
Hello, thank you so much for the recipes. I gave the Plaster of Paris one a try. It worked beautifully, but I do have one question.
After a while, I found that the plaster was somehow clumping together in large, hard lumps in the paint ! it was sooo weird. What did I do wrong please ?
I would love to know the answer because I have lots of furniture to paint.
Thank you so much,
hugs, Joey
Denise says
Joey, it may have been the paint you used OR the length of time it was sitting/stored. I would try adding a little less plaster of paris or using a little water to thin out the clumps prior to painting.
samantha says
After doing the calcium carbonate method, did you have to do anything else to the furniture, like sanding?
Thank you! By the way, everything looks great!
Denise says
Thanks Samantha! To get the smoothest professional finish, I sand all my pieces with a fine grit sanding pad after painting. It’s up to you though… just depends on the look like.
Sallie Cruise says
thank you so much for this experiment. I’ve always wondered about working with Plaster of Paris particularly. Most helpful indeed
Carol P says
At the bottom of your article, you said you found limestone… that should work since it is calcium carbonate as well.
Thanks for the tips- I’m going to try one out tonight!
Keri says
Hi
Did the limestone work?
Marla Webb says
I am getting ready to do some painting with your calcium carbonate method. Thanks for the information. What color of paint did you use on the furniture you did your baking soda method on?
Denise says
Marla, I believe the color I used was Behrs Cottage White.
Marla Webb says
Thanks I will check into that. I love the color.
Julie says
I want to redo my kitchen chairs. I’ve already done the table legs years ago and I applied stain over the paint to distress it. Could I do that with the chalk paint as well? I also would want to do a poly finish to keep the paint on could I do that instead of the wax?
So excited to try this out!
Denise says
Yes to both Julie! Enjoy your project… I’m sure they’ll turn out great!
Shaishannah says
Hi, thanks for your recipes, I shall experiment! 🙂 But what is the latex paint? Is that something else I must add to the normal matt emulsion paint? I’m in the UK, thanks with many blessings x
Denise says
Exactly… latex is the same as your flat/matt emulsion paint in the UK. 🙂
Rhonda says
Should I use flat or satin latex paint with the calcium carbonate? Also, how does it do with black paint?
Denise says
Flat works a little better than satin because it provides a wonderful authentic chalky look. It works fine with black however THOROUGH mixing is required. If the Calcium Carbonate is not completely mixed into darker colors, it may show up tiny specks when you go to sand.
Ann says
Hi
Trying to read one of the comments but couldn’t read it all because its obscured by yr pic .
I’m from uk and didn’t know what latex paint was . I want to paint furniture and thought emotion paint was for walls not wood .
I want to make my own chalk paint so can u tell me if I should get a flat Matt or a satin Finnish paint .i want to try the plaster of Paris recipe
Many thanks
Ann
Denise says
Sorry Ann.. it’s the Theme which I need to change. Yes, in the UK it’s emulsion paint (water based) that works with these recipes. Flat or Matt works very best to give the chalkiest finish.