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
Lisa B says
I used blue marking chalk and an eggshell satin, which made a cool retro blue color chalk paint! After reading some blog recipies, i just mixed it until it was thick enough and colorful enough, and it worked great!
Dee says
Denise, Can this be used on a formica board to make a chalk board for children to write on? Oh and erase.
Thank You
Dee
Denise says
It can Dee! Having said this, for chalkboards, I do prefer using actual chalkboard paint. Either one, be sure to season your chalkboard prior to writing on it. 🙂
Maria says
Wow what an interesting post – everything is in one place and a choice of recipes. I have used named chalk paint before and was a tad disappointed…. its so expensive. I used ESP on shiny surfaces and did not need to sand initially. Cant wait to start experimenting again
Thank you
Caroline says
Hello there, I am moving into a new apartment where the wardrobes are so ugly., made from cheap materials, Do you think I can use chalk paint & get a good affect?
Thank you.
Denise says
For sure Caroline…chalk paint can cover a lot of ugliness. 😉 I’m not sure what material your wardrobes are made from but if there is a shine/gloss, a light sanding is recommended to adhere the paint. Good luck.
Maria says
Hello Denise. In my country impossible to get calcium carbonate… Can I use sidewalk chalk instead of cc? Thank you
Denise says
Maria, I’ve never tried but my guess would be no. Manufactured sidewalk chalk usually has a bit of wax/color or other elements – so I’m unsure if this would lend itself to a nice paint finish. Not to mention grinding it down to a fine dust would be difficult. If you have plaster of paris or one of the other ingredients available, they would probably be the better choice. 🙂
Maria says
Thank you!!
Li Protheroe says
This was wonderfully useful! Thank you 🙂 I’m going to try the plaster of Paris recipe to smarten up some picture frames I found at the thrift shop.
Rachel says
Can this paint be used for walls?
Denise says
It sure can Rachel! Just keep in mind it’s very porous. When not sealed, it attracts dirt, grease etc very easily.
Leslie says
I used the PoP method. Put one one coat let it dry thoroughly the started on my second coat. The second coat started removing my first coat so I stopped because it was causing bits of dry paint to roll. I’m using latex paint. Any suggestions?
Denise says
Hi there Leslie. I’ve had this happen to me when painting on a glossy/shiny top coated surface. When using DIY or brand name Chalk Paint, 9/10 times NO sanding is required… but unfortunately, there are those odd pieces that a light sanding is beneficial to help the paint adhere.
Trula Perrell says
Hi, I am going to try this on cabinets. I was wanting to use some dark wax for the antique look.You can’t use wax and poly. Is that right ?
Denise says
You can Trula – but in my opinion, using one or the other is best. If you opt for poly for more durability and easy cleaning, a glaze is a great way to add depth and antiquing. Plus if you use both, keep in mind you can apply the wax over poly but NEVER poly over wax! The wax repels the poly and it will not adhere.
Phillip says
Potters who make their own glazes use calcium carbonate and should have a supply. Is also called whiting by potters. That should make it easy to find.
Andrea says
Greeeaaat job!!!!
I wonder if you’d sand furnitures before applying paints?
Are theese paints “wetproof”, or did you use something to seal them?
I’ll try No 1 (soon I hope), and would also like to recomend you an organic (VOC 0) clay WALL paint: Biopin (has chalk, titándioxid, talkum, kaolin in it) that I’ve used on a IKEA “raw wood” drawer. (Yet, should be more expencive than DIY paint and not sure it’s awailable overethere…)
Keep up the good work ; )
Denise says
Hi Andrea… and thank you for your kind words! These paints are not wet proof and should be sealed/top coated for protection. Reason being is just like with brand name Chalk Paint, once the chalking ingredient is added, the paint because very porous and matte. Porous and matte paint easily picks up dirt, grease water rings etc.
jacqui says
Iam from Australia you can buy Calcium Carbonate from Some stockfeeders quite cheaply its a stockfeed additive, If you local stockfeeder does not stock it see if they can order it in some of the local ones here will , Love home made chalk paint
this is my paint recipe
CHALK PAINT
2 TBLSPNS Calcium Carbonate (buy from home brewing shop) well you do here.
1 TBLSPN H20
1 CUP of Paint
OR
8 TBLSPNS calcium Carbonate
4 TBLSPNS H20
1 LITRE of paint.
Erin says
Hello!
I have a question…I have never used chalk paint, but I watched a video where the lady used a dark wax after distressing to give the piece a different look. Is there a low-cost or DIY recipe I can use for the dark wax?
Denise says
Yes, you can mix your own DIY Dark Wax!
Donna says
This was the very best post I’ve found on the subject so far! Thank you for posting. I want to do this to my kitchen cabinets SO badly! Do you have any tips on mixing large amounts for large projects like this? Am I wrong to assume that this calcium carbonate mixture will stretch out the amount of paint so I may not need as much as I think? Finally, I know you recommend the NOW brand but do you think this brand would work considering I’m doing such a large project?
Denise says
Hi Donna! So happy you’ve found this post helpful! 🙂 Whatever brand of CC you choose to use will NOT stretch out the amount of paint you will need to paint your cabinets. A tip for painting cabinets, mix small fresh batches of the DIY Chalky Paint as you go rather than mixing a huge amount. If you’re using a good quality water based paint, you may not need as much paint as you may think. 🙂
lisa says
Hi there! Can I use high gloss paint with one of the home made recipes? I. Want to paint some bookshelves in my daughter’s room. We already painted the outside a high gloss white. Now I need to paint the shelves themselves. Thanks
Denise says
I wouldn’t suggest using a high-gloss with these HMCP Recipes Lisa. The above recipes make for a very porous paint finish (chalky) which isn’t conducive with a high gloss finish. Using the same high gloss paint you used for the outside of the bookshelf may be a better look. 🙂
Cecilia says
Do you use a latex flat, eggshell, or semi-gloss paint?
Denise says
I use flat or eggshell Cecilia – they give the most authentic chalk paint finish.
Donna says
Just found you site. Love it! I have an upholstered chair in our bedroom that I am going to chalk paint instead of reupholster. (If it doesn’t turn our nice, I can take it apart and reupholster anyway.) Browsing your site, I have not seen anything about painting upholstery, or maybe I have not looked far enough into the older comments. Have you painted on upholstery? If you have, do you have any tips? I have read a couple of other sites on upholstery painting but thought I would get your take on it.
My daughter and I used the PoP chalk paint recipe on 3 Amish made wooden bar stools last summer. She picked a darker turquoise paint, we did 3 coats, light sanding between and used a satin spray poly to finish. They turned out great!!
Thanks for all of your tips!
Denise says
Hi Donna! So glad you and your daughter are enjoying the PoP recipe! I have painted fabric and you can see more here. 🙂
TJ says
I’m new to the whole chalk painting process but have wanted to try in on some old pieces of furniture that I have. I was so discouraged yesterday when I went from store to store to try to locate some chalk paint and couldn’t find it anywhere. I was so excited to find your BLOG and I’m excited to try your DIY chalk paint mixture. I just have one question. Does 2 to 1 means two cups paint to one cup of calcium carbonate?
Denise says
So excited you’ve found the SI Blog too… and YES exactly…2 to 1 means two cups paint to one cup of calcium carbonate. Happy painting TJ 🙂
Barb Z says
2 parts to 1 part can be any measurement in those increments. 2 Tbl paint to 1 Tbl CC, 2 half cups paint to 1 half up CC. 2 baby food jars full of paint to 1 baby food jar of Cc. Just make sure the ratio is 2:1. Sometines I mix super small batches for painting small accent areas, such as a stripe or polka dots. I’ve mixed 2 half tsp to 1 half tsp with fine results. (And yes, i do realize that 2 half cups = 1 cup & 2 half tsp = 1 tsp. I kept it simple for the explaining how 2:1 can be any measurements. You can mix 6 Tbl to 3 Tbl or 1/4 C to 1/8 C & that is still 2:1.) Have fun!
Linda says
Hi I been using cheap dollar store paint, mixed with baking soda,then I have found a wonderful polyurethane that does not yellow in a spray form,that I apply lightly after sanding that leaves a beautiful affect
Dawn says
We use old folding, lovered, indoor closet doors to make a wall for the street side of our deck. Can we use the baking soda / latex paint for outside. Also, a couple of the doors are very shiney. Thanks!
Denise says
Any of the above recipes can be used outdoors Dawn. 🙂 If a couple of the doors are super shiny, sanding will be beneficial for good adhesion.
Charlotte Johnson says
What can you do to make a color, blue, yellow, etc.
Denise says
Charlotte, the beauty of these recipes is you can choose whatever color you like (already mixed at the store… just as you would when buying a color to paint a room in your home!), and then mix in the chalking ingredient. No mixing of colors is necessary!
Kelly F says
Are any of the recipes smooth enough to not have to sand? I don’t really want the distressed look for the bed I’m about to paint. When I used Annie Sloan on a project, it seemed very smooth and I didn’t need to sand it at all. However, if I were to use it on this bed, I’d be spending as much as a new bed!! Yikes!
Thanks
Denise says
The Now Brand Calcium Carbonate goes on super smooth Kelly. Having said this, maybe just because I’m picky and do this for a living, I always give my pieces a light sanding even if they’re not distressed. I do this whether I’m working with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint or any of the above DIY versions.
Annmarie says
I actually looked at my stash and found that I have calcium citrate with vitamin D. Will that make a difference?
Denise says
I’m unsure Annmarie…I’ve never tried.
Maria says
Hi Denise,
What grade sandpaper do you use to sand between coats? Do you sand by hand or with a sander?
I’m going to paint my DR table/chairs using the PoP mix Wish me luck 🙂
Maria
Denise says
Good Luck Maria…great project! I use a fine grit sanding sponge and sand by hand. so 220 or higher for in between coats is fine… it’s just to knock off any unevenness before applying the next.
Amber says
Wow I wish I had found this page a week ago! I’m in the process of painting bedroom furniture and accessories and used a similar plaster recipe. The white furniture looks perfect, used flat white. Then I mixed a light blue for accessories to set on top of the furniture, and it’s a lumpy mess! I think I figured it out after this– I mixed too much and took too long to paint the tiny detailed metal frames and boxes and decorations, so the first one looks great, the last one, a planter, looks like it was sandblasted. Going to order the calcium carbonate before starting in on my daighter’s room though, and sift, whisk, and mix smaller batches (and work quicker) while I do the shelves for my bedroom this week. My only question is, have you noticed a final finish difference if the paint is flat, satin, or semi gloss? also, do you wax before or after you sand/distress? And do you apply a clear coat to the final piece to protect it, or is the wax enough? Thanks!
Denise says
Yes there will be a slight sheen difference depending on what you use. Flat/matte/eggshell give the most authentic chalk paint look but satin or semi will work. I wax after I sand/distress and apply either wax or poly as a top coat… not both. 🙂
chrissy says
Hi Denise,
I have an old DARK color computer unit (veneer), with a slight sheen. that i now use as storage. I’d like to use your #1 recipe. How exactly do I mix up the CC with the paint? I know you say, 1 part to 2 parts paint; but exactly what does that mean? If I purchase two 12oz NOW CC online, how do i mix the CC power with liquid paint and get the correct consistency. Just want to to avoid making a bad batch and wasting my paint.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Denise says
Hi Chrissy. I use those plastic baking measuring cups. Measure 1 cup of CC and then 2 cups of paint – mix thoroughly. Super easy. It can also be adjusted for smaller projects eg 1/2 cup CC to 1 cup Paint still = 1 part CC to 2 parts paint.
chrissy says
Thank you. guess I’ll purchase several bottles of the CC just to be safe.
Barb Z says
2 to 1 of any measurement, as long as it’s 2 parts paint to 1 part CC. It’s ext to mix small batches & use them daily, in case it takes longer than one day to finish your project. I painted a small mirror & mixed 2 Tbl of paint to 1 Tbl of CC & it was more than enough for 2 coats. I decided on giving it anothere coat the following day & mixed up 2 teaspoons paint to 1 teaspoon CC with fine results. I hope your project turns out great!
Ali Dent says
Questions:
1. Is the calcium carbonate recipe the same as “mineral paint”? If not, do you know the ingredients for mineral paint? This lovely lady says you don’t have to seal mineral paint which makes me curious to know a DIY recipe for it.2. Do you use a wax sealer for all 4 types? If not, what do you like to use for a sealer?
Denise says
Hi Ali! Calcium Carbonate is a mineral however all of he above are chalk paint recipes that provide a chalky matte finish. I love using wax to topcoat and for high traffic items (kitchen tables etc), I prefer a water based poly. As for Mineral Paint(s), when I purchased Fusion at Mango Reclaimed, I was advised that if the piece was a high traffic item, a top coat is still advised.
Ali Dent says
Thank you for answering my questions and for sharing your experiences. I was so happy to find your site.
Denise says
Pleasure and so happy you dropped by Ali! 🙂
Jennifer says
Sorry, after reading your paint dry and cure time section, my first question was clarified. So new question lol: 1.) Once the second coat is 100% dry to my hands, can I immediately start distressing and then apply the polyurethane? 2.) Does applying the polyurethane to the second coat before it has cured, increase the curing time, or is it still the standard 3-4 weeks? Thank u again 🙂
Denise says
When time allows, I like to wait 24hrs before distressing and top coating but this is not mandatory. Once the piece is 100% dry, distressing and top coating is fine. Then allow 3-4 weeks for entire piece to cure. 🙂
Jennifer says
and 1 last question! I’ve read from other sources online that I should mix the calcium carbonate with water before adding it to the latex paint. Is this true?
Denise says
Jennifer, I only use the finest human grade Calcium Carbonate… the NOW Brand and it is SUPER fine so water is not needed. Other brands may require water to get the correct consistency.
Christine Goulding says
Wow, I can’t thank you enough for this, I’m just starting out, done my first and second project ( dining table and four chairs and a side table) it cost me a lot more than I wanted to spend buying brand named chalk paint, I’m going to try your number one favourite for my next project!
Can I just ask, what kind of paint do you use to mix, is it normal emulsion paint?
Thanks,
Denise says
Yes Christine. 🙂 I believe your emulsion is the same as our water based latex. That’s exactly what you add the chalking ingredient to… in whatever color you choose.
Regis Boire says
Hi,
Can you use all in one latex paint with primer to make chalk paint? I want to paint some outdoor plastic furniture.
Thanks
Denise says
Yes, I’ve used an all-in-one paint and primer and it does work Regis.
Brian says
Track down a local pottery/ceramic supplier for calcium carbonate. Whiting (calcium carb.) is a material used in glaze formulation and is pretty cheap. You could buy it in 50lb. bags if you ever needed that much. Haven’t tried it yet but I will this weekend. Love the info you posted!
Margaret Beck says
I have been using the pop recipe for a while now and love it. According to DIY recommendations they say you should not reuse mixed chalk paint. I have tried and find that it turns gritty. Mis just enough to do your project. 1/3 cup pop, 1/3 cup water, and 1 cup paint and it’s enough for large piece of furniture like a headboard…
Denise says
This is great advice Margaret! I much prefer mixing fresh batches when working with any of the above recipes.
Tracy says
I’ve finished a few nice pieces using homemade chalk paint with plaster of Paris. This project I’m painting 6 dining chairs with the same recipe using my brand new paint sprayer. My paint color is a very dark brown. I found tiny pebbles in the finish so when I lightly sanded between coats these pebbles pop and I guess they’re actually the POP. Not too happy about that. Have you found that and what would you suggest?
Zovesta says
Hey, just wanted to say that I had the same problem. My problem was not mixing thoroughly enough – when I tipped the container of water and PoP, I could still see unmixed granules at the bottom. After I had 100% mixed it, tipping it this way and that to check for any hidden, undissolved granules, and added it to the paint, my coats were fine. I recommend warm to hot water!
I feel you, though – my first two coats were seriously grainy. 🙁 I know I’m way late, but maybe this will help you with future projects!
Bobbi says
I love the look of all the recipes. But I found that pouring the mixture ,before mixing with paint, through a strainer gets rid those little unmixed granules. Good luck hope this helps.
Barb Z says
Sift the PoP through a flour sifter or (I use) an old, rummage sale bought, strainer (used for cooking, straining noodles, etc.). It’s a bit time consuming, but the PoP is totally lump free! I use a small wish or an old fork to mix it around in the strainer to get it through the holes. Make sure the holes are not too large or it defeats the purpose. Those mesh or screen-like strainers work well too! I found one at Goodwill for $1.
Barb Z says
*WISK not wish. I apologize for all the typos. I lazily did not proofread my replies before I sent them & can’t find a way to edit them from my mobile phone. ?
Portia Taylor says
Is it safe to paint a baby bed with chalk paint? Which of these 4 would be the safest?
Denise says
Portia, the calcium carbonate is human grade and people take it as a supplement. It’s the all natural ingredient. Is is safe to paint a baby bed? In my opinion yes. If properly prepped, applied and sealed, there should be no problems.The cribs purchased from Ikea or any other manufacturer/store have been painted in lacquer which is not considered a ‘safe-no-toxic-paint’. Haveing said this, you should do your own research and always do whats comfortable for you. Here’s a great article and point of view on painting cribs from an soon to be new Mom, Mandy at Vintage Revivals.
Kaitlin says
I painted a large mirror frame for my mum with your #1 choice chalk paint and used a homemade wax to finish it – two parts white beeswax to three parts extra virgin coconut oil by weight. It worked beautifully, had a lovely satin feel, we loved that there were no weird chemicals in it, and it smelled delicious! Coconut oil is one of the most stable vegetable oils, and doesn’t go rancid readily.
Cheryl says
Calcium Carbonate also known as Whiting can be purchased from most pottery suppliers, it’s very cheap and used in pottery glazes. I’m trying it on my DIY project this weekend.
Josh says
Calcium carbonate in powder form is readily available online. Watch how it is labeled for use, as it tends to get marked up when using for chalk paint or wine. If you can find it marketed as a soil additive in gardening, you can find 20 pounds of the material for as low as $20 shipped. It does not carry any hazardous material shipping costs, and from retailers like Amazon, you can get the material in less than a week. Hope this helps some of your readers, and thank you for the article.
maria says
Love the recipes. Just ordered the calcium carbonate can’t wait to mix it up with the paint. Please tell me what white paint you used. Thanks kindly maRia
Jane Mann says
I am so excited to try HMCP!! This will be my first time using Chalk Paint, (I have to see what everyone is raving about), but didn’t want to pay those prices for the brand name paints!
What do you finish the project with? A satin finish polyurethane? I have used an indoor/outdoor sealer, when I painted my dining room chairs, is that the same as polyurethane?
Did I read where someone used wax?????
ugh! I feel like such a silly rookie with these questions! I thank you for answering, in advance.
Denise says
Yes, you can use a water based poly or furniture wax Jane. Either or will work nicely. Note – unless it’s a high traffic item, many painters prefer the wax. It sinks into the porous chalk paint nicely and gives a beautiful finish.
Jane Mann says
Thanks, Denise! You are awesome!! I am going to give this “new technique” called chalk paint a try and even going to finish with wax!! Uncharted waters for me, I’m excited!!
Denise says
Have fun! 🙂
Shirley Van de Vliert says
I want to paint a striped bookcase. Should I paint on the total initial coat -1 or 2 coats, in the lighter color and let it dry-how long? Then I plan to use painters tape to mark of the darker color stripe. Will the painters tape harm the initial coat of paint.
Denise says
For light colors, 2-3 coats is recommended for full/even coverage and it will depend on the quality of paint you use to make these recipes. Also, if the paint is 100% dry, painters tape will not harm the initial coat. Great project Shirley!
K says
Thanks again. Once plaster and water are mixed to the proper consistency in the blender do you add the paint to mix or do you pour the Plaster/water mix into the pre measured out paint and mix by hand? I want to make sure I do this 100% correct.
Denise says
I mix the P of P and water with my hand mixer (sorry…not a blender) and then add it to the paint…then mix everything including the paint with my hand mixer again. It really won’t make any difference which you add first though so long as everything is mixed 100%. 🙂
Barb Z says
I mix by hand, with an old wisk I bought at a rummage sale for 10 cents. I will probably keep my eyes open for a used hand mixer now. I’ve seen them at garage sales for $3, with the mixer attachments included. I would not recommend using a blender. It may be quite messy & could add lots of air to the paint/chalk mixture. If you do use a blender & get good results, I’d be interested in hearing about your experience with this. Could you please post your results here, if you attempt this? Thanks!
K says
Do you recommend to use a blender to do the mixing or can you do this well enough by hand or just shaking up in a closed container? I would like to try the Plaster of Paris recipe. Thank you for your time and tips.
Denise says
I use an inexpensive $12 blender to mix all my chalky recipes. I feel I get the best results this way, but for sure, you can also mix by hand.
K says
Thank you very much for all your work and information. Three questions, do you sand between applications of the chalk paint,what do you apply it with a brush or roller and could I seal it with ploycrylic not polyurethane?
Denise says
I do give my pieces a light sanding between each coat. This provides the most professional finish for clients. These recipes can be applied using a brush, roller or sprayer and they can be sealed with polycrylic or polyurethane.
Karen Becker says
I have read that the polyurethane will yellow over time. Good Luck
Denise says
Polyurethane is oil based and will slightly amber over time…especially noticeable if used over a white/light paint.
Lizzy says
That’s why you use water based, water clear poly. The oil stuff is made for wood, so the yellowing is acceptable. The chemistry that yellows it isn’t really human friendly. Use a respirator.
Buy polyurethane on furniture has several problems, mostly that if it scratches, it’s shot. Wax is used on furniture because it’s fixable. Same with shellac, though it’s not suitable over paint.
The real problem is when this dad is over. Getting poly off the furniture to get it repainted is gruesome.
Jane says
Hi, great post. I tried the calcium carbonate and it came up really gritty. Maybe I didn’t mix it enough? Same result twice. So frustrating. Anyone else had this problem?
Jamie says
I had the same problem, using the NOW fine grade CC and hand mixing, and I discovered that if you keep brushing over the wet paint on the furniture, the particles will dissolve and become smooth.
Calvin Girvin says
I don’t know why calcium carbonate is so expensive as it is a common chemical used in many industrial applications. If you want to experiment you might try sodium carbonate which is plain old washing soda for your laundry and is quite inexpensive. Calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate are very similar chemically and they might be used used interchangeably in making chalk paint.
Bev Ridsdel says
I use talcum powder
Tamara says
What’s your recipe? Thanks!
B.A. says
Calcium carbonate is garden lime.You use it to sweeten the soil,and change the ph levels. You can find it in any garden center .
Mary says
Can these recipes be used on glass, for example jars?
Denise says
Yes, I’ve used them on glass and metal.
Margaret says
Love this! And it’s Canadian, so the link went to a site where I could purchase the calcium carbonate at Canadian prices – yeah! I am going to try painting with chalk paint in the near future as I have a collection of wood chairs that I have picked up over the years and I know that they will look great. Thanks.
Margaret
Denise says
Pleasure Margaret…have fun 🙂
Christine says
How long will the chalk paint last if it is kept in a plastic airtight container?
Denise says
It really depends on what chalking ingredient you use Christine. The CC lasts for months. The P of P can start thickening within days. Having said that, for all of the above recipes, I prefer to mix as I need and use a fresh batch each time.
Paul says
You keep mentioning the “brand name chalk paint”. Which brand name chalk paint are you referring to?
Denise says
Hi Paul! There are numerous brand name chalky-mineral paints. Annie Sloan, CeCe Caldwell, American Paint Company, Bluestone House, Dixie Belle Paints, Americana Decor, Country Chic Paint, Amy Howard’s…and the list goes on!
LizzieT says
Hi! I’m interested in the PoP method. Do I use latex paint or oil-based enamel? In your example, the picture shows some PoP & it looks like a can of enamel paint. In other blogs, someone said the latex paint “rolled” during distressing so they preferred oil-based enamel. Also, when using PoP, is the dust from sanding toxic? Thanks for clarifying!
Denise says
Hi there Lizzie! I only use water based paints with all the above recipes. And unfortunately I can’t comment on the oil-based because I’m unaware of any other furniture painters that do mix oil based with DIY Chalky Recipes. As for sanding, all dust can be harmful. Whether working with DIY or Brandname chalk paint… or ANY type of paint, a mask and safety precautions should be taken when sanding.
Christina says
Thank you for clarifying the latex vs water based paint issue.
Glenn says
You can do a “wet” sanding to distress the furniture after painting, this prevents the paint “rolling” and also leaves a great finish.
Denise says
Thanks for this Glenn! 🙂
shay says
PoP is Plaster of Paris
fmi
Norietta Ostman says
Can you use diatomaceous earth instead of the calcium carbonate in the recipe?
Denise says
Sorry…I’m not sure Norietta… I’ve never tired.
Christina says
I was just wondering the same thing as I happen to have a huge bag of diatomaceous earth in the garage. Did you try it?
Lisa Hering says
Diatomacious earth is silica, not lime (calcium carbonate) so I would think not. Lime is chalk. Silica is quartz, ie, clear and glossy.
Lizzy says
NO! Diatomaceous earth is a heavy duty carcinogen. You need a respirator and other light industrial goods to handle it.
Ann Henriquez says
It comes in food grade and people ingest it for health benifits. So its not necessarily carcinogenic.a mask is needed because no one should breath in fine powders. You can buy D E at hardware stores to use in gardening and for pest control, it works great and wont hurt pets or people.
sara says
Yes, some people use diatomaceous earth in homemade deodorants….you can find in gardening stores/ sections.
Kathy says
This blog is a great find. I have 14 dining chairs I want to paint & as they will be used a lot I wanted to know what dealer you would recommend? I saw in some previous answers you mentioned poly but would you loose the chalky look? If wax is the way to go what do you recommend? I want a flat, slightly off white colour on the chairs. Cheers
Denise says
Great project Kathy! I’ve used General Finishes Flat out Flat on this china cabinet to keep that chalky look. And there are other low sheen poly’s that work nicely. I’ve also been using Trewax…my new fav right now! I used it on this pure white dresser with no yellowing or discoloring at all. Trewax is made from one of the hardest waxes in the world Brazilian carnauba wax, and is even used on floors. I figure if it stands up to walking on, it’s a good match for high traffic furniture.
Cynthia says
Hi, ever heard of dolomite powder? Its the only thing the health food store sold….
Lindsey Brown says
Calcium carbonate is also sold as a laundry additive. Check the detergent aisle next to the OXYclean, sold almost everywhere laundry detergent is
Jan says
Wow – that’s great to know! I have ordered mine on Amazon so would love to compare price. Thanks for the tip!
Talia says
Hi, thank you for your recipes. What kind of paint are you using? Can I use an ordinary Acrylic paint for crafts?
Denise says
I’ve used numerous brands Talia… just make sure it’s water based. And yes, acrylic paint is water based paint.