Looking for chalk paint advice

Pam Martin
by Pam Martin
Can anyone give advice on HOMEMADE chalk paint and any experience you have had using it AS WELL AS tinting the color to suit your personal project. Wanting to use a dark grey with blue tint.
Old (back section) of a 3 drawer cabinet for bedroom
  26 answers
  • I make my own and you can see some of my projects- including my kitchen http://www.thegardenfrogboutique.com/2016/02/kitchen-makeover-tight-budget/ I have my own recipe too I share on my blog. There is a rougher type finish than if you are going to use flat or gloss paint. I use chalk paint if the wood is rough or faux fake wood. prep is required no matter what they say
  • i used a leftover benjamin moore paint sample and plaster of paris. i did 2 parts paint to 2 part plaster of paris and then i'd water it down just a little for an indoor project. need to mix well to get the grit out but it looks great and gives you lots of color options. covers well so you don't need a ton of paint - a sample is more than enough for a small piece of furniture.
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    • Pam Martin Pam Martin on Apr 13, 2016
      I used mixer as well. Great idea. I simply Put a qt size ziplock bag over my old Hand mixer and the punched the attachments thru to the holes. Kept mixer clean and pop free ..
  • Bj Bj on Mar 24, 2016
    A lady in the paint department at home depot in park city utah makes her own for classes she gives there. Call her if you can't get any answers
  • Victoria Jechart Victoria Jechart on Mar 24, 2016
    I used white acyrlic paint mixed with plaster of Paris, water and I tinted it with artist ink (calligraphy). I wanted a light teal and I had blue and green ink, so I just kept adding until the color was right. I mixed everything in a large Ball jar and I stirred until the texture and color was correct. After that, I would just shake it up a bit before I used it. I think you could use food coloring (cheap ones) also.
  • Teresa Teresa on Mar 24, 2016
    This is my first attempt to chalk paint my receipt is one large bottle of a cheep tums! Crush them add one half cup hot water then add to a quart of paint. I went to the home improvement and bought the paint to my color. Just painin on with the the idea that different strokes will pick up the tined wax. And tint your own wax if you want i used furniture wax and oil paint. Hope that helps
  • Hello Pam, I use my homemade chalk paint in all my painting projects. I don't prepare mine with plaster of Paris, but instead I use real chalk (calcium carbonate) and talc, because talc enhances the softness and bonding quality of the paint. Talc also gives that velvety feel to the finished product. You can find my recipe on our blog: http://thenavagepatch.com/homemade-chalk-type-paint-recipe/ Good luck with your project! -Handan
  • Kathleen Kathleen on Mar 25, 2016
    Hi Pam! I'm a rookie here but my experience so far is to first apply a clear shellac to your piece. This will prevent the bleed through effect. The Plaster of Paris works great however, mix in small quantities and 2-3 coats. The longer it sits, the greater the chances of clumping and grittiness. I don't have experience waxing, but have used Varathene Diamond Crystal Clear finish. This is water-based and in refinishing wood it doesn't yellow over time.
  • Gladys Gladys on Mar 25, 2016
    Looks like you may have a lovely old antique. Don't paint it!
  • Kelly Kelly on Mar 25, 2016
    I use unsanded grout and sample sized paint from the hardware store. Works Great! Just know that plain white will look more grayish using this method, but I love the look of it.
  • Debi53 Debi53 on Mar 25, 2016
    I have used plaster of paris, but prefer the calcium carbonate. I have Lowe's or the paint store mix up the sample size of the color I want and add the calcium carbonate to it. This is cheaper than a quart of paint and is usually enough for a project the size you are showing. Get satin or semigloss to add a little sheen. Although a lot of people don't prime before chalk paint, I usually do to give a better finish and adhesion.
  • Skyval Skyval on Mar 26, 2016
    Your piece looks so primitive and old and beautiful .. please don't paint it .
    • Pam Martin Pam Martin on Apr 13, 2016
      I know but I really need it painted to give a softness and be a compliment piece to my new bedroom. ( LEFT THE TOP NATURAL) ;-)
  • Sue Pircio Sue Pircio on Mar 26, 2016
    I found a recipe on Pinterest - 1/3 cup plaster of Paris mixed in 1/3 cup of water (not hot); add 1 cup of flat paint and mix well. Use soon; do not store. I haven't used it yet, but it sounds fairly easy. I plan on using some kind of wax over it when I'm done - not sure yet whether it will be plain or if I will use a colored wax to antique the pieces I'm using it on.
  • Sara Sara on Mar 27, 2016
    SuePircio Por favor puedes decirme a que le llamas pintura plana? es la pintura al agua o latex al agua? gracias, saludos desde Chile
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    • Sara Sara on Mar 30, 2016
      Lo siento ingles del hablo mal, Suepircio speking: pintura plana .... ¿Que se refiere?
  • KimmieJ KimmieJ on Mar 27, 2016
    1 part Plaster of Paris to 2 parts paint. First mix Plaster of Paris with enough cool water to make a slurry, making sure you get all the lumps out. Next add in paint, mix well. Then pour mix thru a fine sieve and you will have super-smooth chalk paint. You may know you have to wax your project after you're done painting it. It's important to first wax your project in clear wax, then if you want the aged look go in and highlight with a dark-colored wax of your choice. Dip a clean rag in clear wax to blend and remove any unwanted dark wax. Then just let dry and buff out. Remember that dark wax will change the tint of your painted piece. I always paint a scrap piece of wood and do a trial run with the wax before I commit to it on the piece I'm working on. Have fun! I'm loving my project results now that I have experimented and learned from watching YouTube videos.
  • Anita Elaine Anita Elaine on Mar 27, 2016
    I tried the Baking Soda version. It worked well but later anyone rubbing against the piece came away with powdered color on their clothing. It was not a wise choice. I think the plaster of paris superior.
  • Paty Brown Pyland Paty Brown Pyland on Mar 28, 2016
    1 cup eggshell finish paint, 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 cup plaster of paris. Mix the water and PP first, then add the paint. Store in an air tight container. You may need to put a clear coat spray first, or lightly sand. Some old pieces will bleed thru your paint. I have done several pieces, doing kitchen cabinets now, love the finish. Dont forget to wax after.
    • Kathleen Kathleen on Mar 29, 2016
      @Paty Brown Pyland I have been having this bleed thru issue with a mahogany dresser which I am working on. The color had a bluish tinge to it. I coated it with Shellac beforehand which was recommended however I still had to apply 3-4 coats of chalk paint
  • Liz Liz on Mar 28, 2016
    You have an antique that looks handmade. That adds to the value. You can sell it to an antique dealer, and with the profits, purchase an inexpensive chest to paint with chalk paint. Antique dealers are searching for old pieces that haven't been ruined with chalk paint, and will pay good prices for them. Chalk painting is a fad and it will pass. Please don't ruin a valuable with it.
  • Liz Liz on Mar 28, 2016
    Forgot to mention this: Read on the package of Plaster of Paris. You can google and see for yourself, it's now listed as a "Hazardous Material". It's harmful to breathe, and to skin and eyes. You can view pictures of Plaster of Paris skin burns. Calcium carbonate is a safe, natural product and was rated the top #1 product for making chalk paint with the best finish.
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    • Liz Liz on Apr 01, 2016
      You can do the research: Plaster of Paris is harmful to the lungs when breathed. It also contains a warning not to get it in the eyes or on your skin. Since the powder is finely dispersed in the air, it's difficult not to breathe it. Calcium carbonate is rated safer than Plaster of Paris or grout. You can get it on Amazon.
  • Mari Mari on Mar 31, 2016
    I just used a recipe with 3 parts acrylic gloss paint to 1 part Plaster of Paris dissolved in 1 part of hot water. (Add the water to the PoP, stir to dissolve, and add the paint.) This worked very well--even on some plastic I painted.
  • Joanne Costello Joanne Costello on Mar 31, 2016
    Ditto on the antiqueness of your piece. Curious about the paint. It is expensive-is it worth it? Has anyone used it in a bathroom?
    • Pam Martin Pam Martin on Apr 13, 2016
      Yes. It was worth it and the pint of paint To add to the POP was not that expensive at all. (21.00) I believe ....and I have plenty left over for another project.
  • Anita Elaine Anita Elaine on Apr 01, 2016
    I think chalk paint a FAD and passing. I worry that older furniture is being "plastic wrapped" in urethane finishes (or plaster of paris) finishes until the wood will rot away. There is much to be said for the older shellacs. They cracked over time and allowed wood to breathe instead of grow soggy and wilt.
    • Poppies Paint Powder Poppies Paint Powder on Apr 02, 2016
      @Anita Elaine I agree totally about the POP which is caustic. However, Chalk paint is very pourous and would actually allow the wood to breath more then a poly-acrylic too. The best way to maintain the integrity of the piece is to use a natural wax over the chalk paint ,which also wears away in time and needs to be reapplied.
  • Liz Liz on Apr 01, 2016
    Rmdding: You can order it from Amazon.
  • KimmieJ KimmieJ on Apr 04, 2016
    Minwax makes a Paste Finishing Wax that works well, available in a variety of shades.
  • Pam Martin Pam Martin on Apr 13, 2016
    Made my own in a blue/ grey color. The POP was so easy with the mixer idea. Brilliant!! Our wax coat is next. After antiquing of course. Ordering knobs off Etsy to compliment the style.
  • Cindra1005 Cindra1005 on Apr 13, 2016
    I make mine with 1 cup paint, 2 tablespoons of Plaster of Paris to 1 tablespoon of water. I bought a hand emulsion blender to make sure I can blend it properly without lumps