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
Natalie says
I am wondering about long term wear, wash, and adherence of these DIY choices. Do you have any feedback in that regard? I have a few pieces I plan to finish in this fashion but want to know it’s going to last, especially through children. I love the no sanding component, feeds my desire for quick results. LOL
Denise says
Long term wear is excellent Natalie. You have the durability of a latex along with the additional bonding of the HMCP ingredients. The only thing to be careful with are really shiny surfaces… a light sanding would then be beneficial.
Jeanne says
Fabulous article. Thank you. I am contemplating using the chalk paint on upholstery. I have read several blogs that say that you can, just add additional water, and wax afterwards. Have you tried this? and which recipe might work best for this application?
Denise says
I’ve heard/read the same Jeanne. I’ve not tried this yet but I would really like to!
Jo says
What a great article! I have a large dining room table and 8 chairs that I would like to paint, as well as a buffet. They are veneered mahogany (very shiny). Do you suggest I do a light sanding or use a primer before using HMCP? And do I need to sand before using the primer? I’m so nervous about messing up such a big project! Thanks
Denise says
This is a very large project Jo so I would test on part of a chair. For very shiny surfaces, I usually do sand before using the above recipes. If your HMCP scratches off even after you’ve sanded, applying a good primer should do the trick.
Jo says
Thanks for advice!
Marisol Ramos says
Hello:
I’m from Mexico and am a little confused. Can this recipe be used to make chalkboards (the black chalkboard), or it is just a name because of the components?
Love your posts.
Thanks
Denise says
Yes Marisol! I find the calcium carbonate recipe works the very best if you’re going to write on it with chalk. And if you are using it as a ‘chalkboard’, do not seal it.
Sheri says
When using unsanded grout, only use 1 tablespoon per 1 cup. That’s why it thickened and clumped up on you 🙁
debbie darmstedter says
hello, I have painted on fabric, with chalk paint. and it turned out beautiful. I did two coats, and its like a soft leather. If you like that, then you will love it. Debbie. happy crafting.
Bonnie says
Thank you for sharing these great recipes. Okay now I saw that someone used a spray clear coat topper, and others used a wax coat. I’d like to do a table and chairs. I can see the wax would repel the water. In your experience which would be best?
Denise says
For a high traffic table/chairs I prefer using a few coats of poly. Polycrylic (waster based) is durable, easy to clean, and unlike wax, no re-applying will required down the road.
Becky says
I heard that home chalk paint has a very short shelf life (like 2 days) compared to if I bought it from a store like Lowes or wherever. Is this true.
Thanks,
Becky
Denise says
Becky, I’ve had some ‘left-over’ HMCP that has been stored in plastic yogurt containers for 4-5 months and it was still very usable. The plaster of paris and grout recipes thicken up more than the Calcium Carbonate but a little water can be added to thin it out. Having said this, I usually only mix as much as I need per project. I much prefer working with fresh Chalk/Mineral Paint and I don’t like having to store a lot of left over paints. Excellent question!
Linda says
Hi Denise,
Have been reading through all your recipes and your answers to chalk paint questions and feel really inspired to ditch Annie Sloane for the calcium carbonate into latex/emulsion recipe. I’m very impatient and really want to get going….have some Calcichews in my medicine cupboard(was going to discard) and was considering grinding them down, but noted you don’t advise that. Admittedly each tablet contains small amounts of colecalciferol, sucrose and aspartame…is the presence of the other ingredients the problem?
Thank you for all the interesting information on your blog!
Linda
Denise says
Hi Linda! I’m not sure the presence of the other ingredients would be the problem, however I do think grinding them down to a super fine powder would be extremely difficult. Purchased CC is a VERY fine powder which blends very easily and smoothly into paint.
Janet says
I was excited to try the cc recipe and quickly got on amazon to order some. Since a certain amount spent would get me free shipping, I ordered 8 bottles. I guess i wont run out soon. I used just a paint stick and couldn’t seem to get all the granules mixed in. Didn’t matter. As I painted, the granules dissolved and the finish was beautiful and smooth. I painted directly on an oak table with a verathane (sp) finish. I didn’t sand or prime and it barely needed two coats. I have been looking for this kind of finish for years. Thx!!
eliz says
I want to paint my old travel trailer which is made of aluminum I think. I was going to clean it really well with TSP and bleach and let it dry, then paint with either home made chalk paint and a polyacrylic, or some sort of primer and latex paint with poly acrylic. I really want to avoid the sanding. Do you think your home made chalk paint with CC would hold up to rain and driving down a highway at 65 mph?
Denise says
Eliz, I would opt for a specialty paint specifically for painting aluminum/fiberglass and exterior use. There is an aluminum-prep you can buy that etches the surface prior to painting. This is definitely a case where prepping will get you the most mileage out of your paint job.
Patricia says
Thank you! Used the calcium carbonate. It works great. I played with adjusting the amount of carbonate to paint. It’s fun to use and play with. Any ideas on making a milk paint?
Denise says
So glad your having fun Patricia! I know many months ago, I came across a Martha Stewart DIY Milk Paint Recipe online. I know it can and has been done but I’ve never tried making my own milk paint. That would be fun to try one day though!
Pam Chan says
Help! I come from the UK and find American measurements confusing. When you say one part, how does that work? For example, the calcium carbonate needs to be added directly, but how can I measure 1 part of solid to parts in liquid? If I buy a tester post, that will come in millilitres or litres, the calcium carbonate comes by weight. Thanks
Denise says
Pam, do not measure the Calcium Carbonate by weight.Just measure the Calcium Carbonate with the EXACT SAME measuring tool as your paint ie milliliters or liters using the 2:1 ratio.
peggy says
Question…When I applied the Annie S clear wax with a brush like they taught in the class, there still seems to be a thick coating on the table and leaves finger prints, even after being buffed and buffed……..is there a different type of wax that goes on thinner I could use or am I not applying it the best way….or does all wax was leave a residue on the wood that leaves fingerprints?
Denise says
Is it possible you applied the wax a little on the thick side Peggy?… and that is why you’re seeing fingerprints/residue? There should be no wax residue after apply wax and buffing it off. Whether you use Annie Sloan or any other brand, the trick is to apply the wax in small sections and as sparingly as possible. A little goes a long long way. 🙂
Debbie says
I’ve just heard about Chalk paint today from a friend and your blog is very helpful. I want to paint kitchen cabinets, perhaps a grey colour. I take it you buy the grey paint and add the plaster etc to it. Wouldn’t this make the paint lighter and how do you get the shade you want. Buy darker paint? Or do you buy white paint and add the plaster etc and then the colour to get your shade?
Denise says
Hi there Debbie. Purchase the paint color you want/like and then add the Plaster of Paris. The original paint color will remain the same. Good luck with your cabinets.
terry silk says
Hi Denise. Great blog. Really appreciate the info provided. Here in Australia latex paint is not common. I am guessing that the paint we call PLASTIC is the same or similar as it is water based(clean up with water).
Could you confirm my suspicions?
Very impressed with a local craft shops display of painted furniture, fabrics etc., but found that their Chalk Paint is 4 times the cost of normal paint.
Your blog has me keen to get into my next projects, namely painting the roof liner in my campervan, painting curtains to match and furniture in my newly completed studio(garden shed) for we commoners.
Terry
Thanks for your help.
Denise says
Hi Terry! Yes, a 100% acrylic, water-based enamel paint is what you are looking for. Here we call it Latex, in the UK they call it Emulsion and from what you’re explaining, in Australia you call it Plastic. Your projects sound great…good luck and have fun! 🙂
Lisa Tyler says
Hi, I just wanted to share that you can also buy calcium carbonate at brew shops. These are local shops that sell supplies for people who brew their own beer. They come in small containers and may not be as good a price as Amazon, but definitely a better price than the pharmacy.
Deborah says
Thanks for all the great information…I’m new to this DIY furniture painting…but I love it… I just bought a Cherry dinning table off craiglist, and I want to try to re-do it with a driftwood grey look, it has a very HIGH shine on it- Do you recommend sanding it all off first? or should I varnish strip it off? Or can I just paint over the top of the shine with CP – It’s so, shinny it look like a mirror… Thank You for your thoughts…
Denise says
Hi Deborah! Yes, I would definitely sand down the high gloss shine before painting with Brand Name CP or HMCP!
Dana says
No questions (yet! :), just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing your experiences with HMCP & providing simple instructions on how to make/use each type! I am planning to give Chalk Paint a try soon, & this article just may give me the confidence to try making it myself rather than shelling out the $ for the brand name Chalk Paint… thank you!!
Denise says
Glad to hear it Dana… and if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or email me. Have fun and good luck! 🙂
Becky says
Thanks for all the info. I can only find flat latex paint that includes a primer. On another site I read that you should use a paint w/out a primer. Are the paints that you’ve used primer-free? For instance the Behr premium paint is the only kind at Home Depot and it has primer. Just wondering if it will still work. 🙂 Thanks!
Denise says
Yes, I have used Behr paint and primer in one and it worked fine Becky.
rosanne says
Ready to get started!
Angela says
Do you have to do more than one coat for the Plaster of Paris Recipe?
Denise says
Yes, to get a professional finish, more than one coat is required for ALL paints Angela.
Linda says
I mixed PP with flat Valspar latex and it was perfect. I was under the impression that you had to use flat paint. I was wanting to buy the 8 oz sample colors for a variety but they only come in satin. Will they work as well as flat?
Thanks for all the other info. Very helpful.
Denise says
I’m happy to hear the recipe worked perfect with the flat Valspar Linda. I’ve used satin in other brands and it’s worked just fine however I’ve never tried using any of the Valspar paints. If you give it a go with the satin Valspar I’d love to hear how it works for you!
Joe says
Hi Denise,
Thanks for the very interesting article. I just wanted to know if you have used Autentico chalk paint before? I think it is quite fresh on the market but seems very effective with all sorts of furniture painting techniques.
Denise says
Hi Joe! This is the first I’ve heard of Autentico ChalkPaint. Is it possible it hasn’t come to North America yet? I’m curious now… have to check. 🙂
Willy says
I’m having a problem with recipe amounts.
You had originally put down the recipe for #1 choice as 2 parts paint and 1 part Calcium Carbonate
Then as I read on the blog, you later said that you only mix 1 cup at a time and that only takes 4 0z of CC so that would make it 1 to 1
I’m confused now…???
Love your blog with all the info and pictures! Thank You!
Denise says
My apologies for any confusion Willy and so glad you’re finding the blog helpful. Yes, when I use 1 cup of paint (which equals 8oz), I add a 1/2 cup of Calcium Carbonate (which equals 4oz). 2:1 ratio.
Gidget Guedry says
I’m trying to find a preservative to add that would let you make a large amount to keep on hand for odd and end jobs. If you ever come up with something, let me know.
Katie Bamber says
Can I use any brand clear wax after painting my furniture? Thanks!
Denise says
Yes, any brand Katie!
Deb Pash says
Denise, I so appreciate the info you have posted. I knew there had to be a more economical way to get the chalk paint look! One concern….. when you respond to our comments, your photo (in blue tint) covers up some of the words of your answer. I’ve used several computers to check and it happens on all. Any ideas? I’m missing stuff! Thank you.
Denise says
Deb, I think it’s a theme issue because I’ve tried many “fixes” and they haven’t helped. I’m looking into other themes (just haven’t decided on one just yet) so I’m hoping the issue will be resolved in the near future. Sorry for any inconvenience or trouble!
Deb Pash says
Thank you! I’ll keep guessing and hope for the best. Just makes things even more interesting. Happy mixing!
Mary Elizabeth says
Hi Denise,
I am planning to paint with the calcium carbonate recipe and wax with leftover Annie Sloan clear wax. After the clear wax, I plan to put dark wax in the details of the piece. How long do I need to wait to apply the dark wax after the clear wax? Thanks for your help. I have referred to your blog so many times in preparing to make my own chalk paint!
Denise says
Hi Mary.. I’m so glad you back and finding the blog helpful! 🙂 You can apply dark wax right away. I don’t wait for my first layer of clear wax to completely dry/set because it gives me some “play-time” while applying the dark wax. If I don’t like how it looks or it’s coming out too dark, it’s much easier to remove if you’ve just applied the clear wax underneath. Simply apply more clear wax and buff out the dark.
Bonice Phinney says
I saw a tutorial that painted fabric on an upholstered chair. Have you ever done this?what is the best paint to paint fabrics with? will the fabric is soft to the touch?
Denise says
I’ve never tried this Bonice but it’s definitely on my list of things I’d like to try! Annie Sloan or CeCe Caldwell’s is great for painting fabric and craft stores also sell fabric paint/additive which I heard work quite well. I believe the fabric doesn’t stay as soft to the touch but supposedly it hold up quite well when sitting on it.
Carolyn says
I recently attended 2 chalk paint workshops….a basic class and a “Paint Your Own Furniture” class….attendees in both classes have made their own using the powdered limestone (calcium carbonate) with good results. One person got their at Lowe’s. I shall be checking that out….can’t afford to pay for the “name brand” stuff.
crimson says
Thank you for sharing your methods. I Am gathering all products needed for the CC method. I purchased the Behr sample paint and had it tinted. After which I noticed that is matte finish with primer. Will the primer affect the finish and/or durability?
Denise says
I’ve used Behr’s Paint&Primer in one with the Calcium Carbonate Recipe (although I’ve never tried their sample paints) and it’s worked just fine Crimson. Unless the components of their sample paints are different, the finish and/or durability will be great.
Anita says
Hi your buying such small amounts of CC 12oz for 5.99 that’s not enough if
It’s 2 parts paint I part calcium ..if you did 1 liter paint you would need more than 12oz .. Can you buy this in big bags..:)
Denise says
Yes Anita, I’m not sure if you can buy this particular brand in larger quantities but you can buy the finest CC in larger quantities… I did from my local pharmacy. I find this size convenient because I NEVER mix more HMCP than I need for a project at hand. I like my Chalk/Mineral Paint to be freshly mixed and I don’t want my space cluttered with unused paint. I usually mix 1 cup at a time which only requires 4oz of CC.
Shellie says
Hi Denise! Love your site….can you tell me what paint exactly that you like to use….also, how much do you purchase?
Denise says
I’ve used MANY brands with the above recipes Shellie. SW, Behr, Martha Stewart, CIL, Ralph Lauren.. even recycled Loop brand. They all work really well. I usually purchase in gallons or quarts depending on the project and price of the paint. And I love come across great deals on ! 🙂
Christine says
Love your tips & your furniture looks great!! Have a question…I used Zinsser Primer on a Laminate Nightstand then Latex & let all dry very well in between coats & alas, I have very bad peeling! I have to re-paint entire Nightstand. I’ve taken off the bad peeling areas. Do I have to take off all the paint since just a small nick makes the paint start peeling again, or can I use Chalk Paint over the previous paint that isn’t peeling at the moment?? It would be a huge job to take off all the paint. I’m going to use your CC & flat latex recipe. Thanks for any help you can give me. Christine
Denise says
Hi Christine! Sorry to hear your nightstand is peeling. I know how horrible if feels after so much time and work has been put into a project. Annie Sloans website recommends removing ALL lose, chipping or peeling paint before painting with her Chalk Paint. I know it’s probably not what you want to hear, but the same goes for HMCP… or ANY paint for that matter. There’s no point in putting in additional work to re-paint a surface that has the potential of peeling because your top coat will eventually peel too. If you need any additional help feel free to email me.
JoAnne says
Very informative information you have provided on the different ways to make Chalk paint. I have purchased a sample jar of paint and Plaster of Paris and I’m wanting to know if chalk paint would be recommended for painting over oak kitchen cabinets. If so, would you use lacquer as a finish coat to seal and harden the paint?
Denise says
Glad you’ve found the info helpful JoAnne. 🙂 Yes, HMCP would work nicely on oak kitchen cabinets. If you have a shiny/gloss topcoat on your cabinets now, I would recommend a light sanding before painting. If you want a high-gloss finish, you can use lacquer or a high gloss poly to seal/protect your cabinets.
Helen says
I’m ready to do a dresser for my new grandchild. Are there special brushes you need to use or can I use regular paint brushes?
Denise says
Hi Helen! Expensive brushes are not required and any brush that you are comfortable with will do. The best results do come from a brush that is not too stiff or too soft.
Karen says
I am just learning about chalk paint and this article was very informative and the pictures really helps show the results of each process. Excited to try this!
Judy Smith says
I tried the baking soda recipe on a metal tray, when I tried to sand it, the paint came off. Should I have put a primer on the tray first? or does this just not work on metal? Love the look so I’m wanting this to work.
Denise says
Sorry to hear this Judy! If you have a glossy surface that the HM Recipes OR brand name chalk/mineral paints are NOT adhering to, a light sanding is recommended. Or just as you suggested, you can use a adhering primer like Gripper, BIN, Kilz etc.
Jen Nitz says
Hello, Can you share where you ordered the CC? Also I am confused, so you put a poly stain over the paint and rub off?
Denise says
Hi Jen! I’ve included a link in the post and on the sidebar if you’d like to order from Amazon too. The polycrylic is used as a sealer/protector for the chalk paint. You can also use wax. If you are wanting a distressed/antique look, you can use a dark tinted wax or glaze.
Diane says
Hi Denise
What is the best on line site to buy calcium carbonate and what roughly should I expect to pay
Thank you
Diane
Denise says
Hi Diane, I’ve been purchasing my CC on Amazon. The price is $5.50 here in Canada. I’ve included a link in the above post and on the sidebar but price may vary on Amazon for different countries.
elna says
Hi, wants to know if i need to prep a piece first that has been painted with an oil based paint or can i just start?
Denise says
Usually you can paint over oil based paints with Chalk/Mineral paints but if it’s a glossy finish, I would recommend a light sanding Elna.
Diana says
Thanks for this great article. I am very new to chalk paint and just starting my research. Plan to do a large project, huge dining room table w/2 leaves and 8 chairs. Some other things I’ve read mention applying a wax finish and possibly another coat of paint over the wax. Did you use any wax? One other thing….what if you don’t want a distressed look? Is this just as god for a regular smooth look? What if I DO want a distressed look with black showing through? Would I first use 1 coat of black chalk paint, then my other color over the top? Thanks for any tips!
Denise says
I do use wax on many of my pieces Diana but prefer Polycrylic for high traffic pieces (like a dining table). Wax eventually needs to be re-applied and polycrylics are easier to clean while providing a super hard durable finish and never need re-applying. Chalk/Mineral Paints do NOT need to be distressed and work nicely for a smooth finish. If you do want black showing through, yes you apply black before your top color.
Lori says
Hi, Denise! Thanks for an informative post. I’ve just spent entirely too much money on a qt of Emperor’s Silk, lol. My husband and I were tossing around the idea of updating our kitchen cabinets with chalk paint. We have a ton of cabinets–big country kitchen–so the idea of a homemade recipe is awesome. This query did catch my eye, though, because after painting a couple of pieces I’m a little concerned about how well chalk paint would hold up in a kitchen with greasy vapors, traffic, and just general dirt that needs to be cleaned frequently. What are your thoughts on that? I’ve never really had to CLEAN my chalk painted furniture…have you? How well does it scrub up?
Thanks,
Lori
Denise says
Lori, brand-name or HMCP scrubs up really nicely if you topcoat it properly. For a high traffic kitchen, I recommend a few coats (3+) of Polycrylic. Unlike wax, it will not need reapplying down the road yet provides hard, durable, protection.
Deirdre says
Hi was wondering why you don’t add water to the calcium carbonate and i tried the annie sloane paint but had trouble with the waxing as it was hard to rub in and then shine off because i took of the paint as well.
Denise says
Sorry to hear the Annie Sloan and Wax didn’t turn out for you Deirdre. If using the ‘fine-powdered-people-grade’ CC there is no need to add water because it is super fine and mixes into the paint very well. If you are using a super thick paint and want to thin slight after adding the CC, you can certainly add a little water but usually this is not needed.
Debra D says
Loved the info great comparisons!
Do you need to put any kind of a sealer over for a finish. and if so what would you suggest!
Debra
Denise says
You can seal with any sort of sealer/topcoat that works with regular paint. Furniture painters like to use wax because Chalk/Mineral paint is very porous and the wax absorbs and gives a nice sheen but I also use poly… especially if I want a high gloss finish.
Teresa says
I AM CONFUSED ON WHAT TO DO–PLEASE HELP ME–I FOUND ANOTHER RECIPE THAT USES THE CALCIUM CARBONATE WITH PLASTER OF PARIS TOGETHER!!! OF COURSE WATER IS ADDED–NOW THIS WOMAN CLAIMS THIS IS THE BEST RECIPE FOR CHALK PAINT!! I HAVE BOUGHT BOTH OF THE CC AND PP–WHAT SHOULD I DO!!! THANK YOU, TERESA
Denise says
There are many variations of HMCP Recipes and experimenting and deciding which one is your favorite is all part of the fun! If you use the high-grade calcium carbonate which is super powdery fine, no water is needed Teresa. It mixes into the paint beautifully and doesn’t seem to thicken the paint as the plaster of paris and other recipes do.
Diane says
What type of soft wax is comparable to Annie Sloan’s soft wax to use to seal chalk painted furniture?
Denise says
CeCe Caldwell’s wax is another all natural wax that’s lovely to work with Diane.
Amy says
For calcium carbonate….I asked about any Chalk Paint at Lowes (doubted there would be any but thought what the heck. The nice man in the paint dept, after I explained what I was wanting it for…said that it used to be called Milk Paint and they mix it with lime (which is sold in bags for gardening) so I made my way to gardening and bought a bag of that. Have you ever used that??? I looked at the ingredients and sure enough…it’s calcium carbonate!! 🙂
Denise says
ChalkPaint and MilkPaint are NOT the same Amy… maybe the gentleman at Lowes misunderstood what you were asking. I have never used the gardening lime for this recipe but I’ve heard others have tried. Feel free to let us know how it works for you! 🙂
Cathy says
The gardening lime is absolutely not used. It will not work properly. You can get limestone from Amazon.com. The guy @ Lowes helped me out with this.
Sharon Morris says
I am really confused….I tried the Plaster of Paris recipe on a cheap, but real wood bookcase. I mixed the recipe exactly as stated here and used flat latex paint.
When it dried, the finish was extremely rough…almost
as if it was SUPPOSED TO BE THAT WAY. I was very bummed to say the least. I sanded it to the best of my ability and mixed a new “batch” and it came out the same
way. The whole idea of chalk paint (for me) is both the finish and the no sanding. (I have previously painted a dresser with a name brand chalk paint and it came out great.) What did I do wrong??
Denise says
Sharon… Not suppose to be that way! It sounds like the Plaster of Paris was not mixed in properly. The P of P requires mixing with water to a silky-silky smooth texture prior to adding it into your paint. Warm water help and I use an inexpensive mixer… much faster and easier than mixing by hand. If you have any more problems, feel free to email me anytime.
Teri says
Are you saying you mix the P of P and water with an electric mixer? I have always had a problem with small lumps of P of P in my finished product. Am I not mixing it enough?
Denise says
Yes Teri… I do use my blender to mix the P of P and water with my blender and then use the blender to mix in the paint.
teri says
OK. I tried it and it is much smoother than before but still not completely smooth like store bought. How long would you say you actually mix it?
Denise says
Not sure Teri because I’ve never timed it but probably a minute or two with my blender… until it looks really smooth. Brand name chalk paint is ‘factory’ mixed so my goal isn’t to get it to look exactly like store bought; but rather smooth enough to be applied beautifully with no visible grit.
Peter C. says
What TYPE of latex paint finish do you use? As in, do you get a latex with an eggshell, satin, semi-gloss etc?
Thanks for this summary, I really enjoyed it!
– Peter.
Denise says
For the above recipes the flatter the latex the better Peter. I like to use matte/flat or eggshell.
Lisa says
Any chance of just tinting a CC mixture instead of using latex? Latex in my experience can peel and get rubbery on certain surfaces.
I was hoping to sand down two awesome tables I found at a thrift store to use as nightstands and wanted to return them to their original glory of blonde, but alas, this sanding thing is not for me. Too many nooks and crannies and way too much labor. So I decided to paint each stark white, with some black peeking through the distressing. Does the black paint have to be chalk paint or just the top white paint? Any chance I could powder up some actual chalk to use since it doesn’t seem like the recipes call for much. Purchasing Annie Sloan products would be very easy but gosh, I just cannot justify the cost. Maybe I’ll splurge for the wax and I’ve heard that her quart size goes a long long way, but I’ve only two little tables to do and don’t need to save anything. This will be my very first time trying this out so wish me luck. And thank you for sharing what is the most detailed and user friendly information I’ve yet to find on the DIY chalk paint.
Denise says
I’ve never heard of a HMCP being created by tinting a CC mixture instead of adding it to latex paint.. so I wouldn’t recommend it Lisa. If you’re worried about peeling (which the CC does improve the latex’s adhesion) give your 2 tables light sanding with a 12-180 grit. Nothing extreme… just like you’re wiping down a table. This will give the paint a little tooth to stick to. Wishing you luck!
Debi says
You have to seal your project with a finishing wax to prevent the peeling.