Why does my valspar paint chunk up with plaster of paris?
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I've been using valspar sample size paint and then adding a bit of plaster of Paris plus water to turn it into chalk paint. But every time it turns into this gummy, solid, unusable mess. What am I doing wrong? Other brands seem to work fine.
The same thing happened to us. Here's what we learned. Get a clean jar and add 2 Tbsp. Plaster of Paris....Then enough water to make a thick paste which is about 1 + 1/2 Tbsp. of water. Mix it up to make sure you get this consistency before adding your paint. You're basically after no lumps and no powder and that smooth paste consistency. Then add your entire jar of sample size Valspar paint and mix well. This worked for us.
Online, they tell you to use equal parts P of P and water, but a little less water worked better for me. Since you are having clumping, you may be using too much Plaster of Paris. Try the 2 Tbsp and see how that works for you.
PoP comes with different drying features. I suggest for one that you get the PoP with the longest drying. Should be about 20 minutes and follow Heide's suggestion for the proportions.
Thanks for asking this!!! I've been wanting to create my own chalk paint for some wooden pieces, but too afraid to try.
Try calcium carbonate. It is much more smooth, easy to work with and will last a very long time.
Forget the PoP and use baking soda instea. I use Valspar paint and baking soda to
my chalk paint when I painted my laundry room cabinets and found it to be pleasing and a durable finish.
When making chalk paint I use 1 cup plaster of Paris with just enough water to to make it smooth and creamy , add to 2 cups of flat paint . I have found that satin , eegshell so on doesnt work , it got clumpy . you can double the recipe if your doing a large project . Hope this helps
I think the type of finish on the Valspar paint makes a huge difference. If I don't use flat paint, and if I don't mix the pop with the water prior to adding to the paint, it becomes a huge gloppy mess. I do like the calcium carbonate options of chalk paint, but I haven't found a formula yet that I like the consistency. I prefer a thinner chalk paint.
Valspar samples are intended for color confirmation only and isn't actually paint. This could explain why you getting unfavorable results. For small projects you would need to get a quart.