Chalk Paint Recipe | Why You Should Use This One
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If you’re serious about furniture flipping and want a quicker turnaround, I highly recommend making your own chalk paint recipe to use as a primer!
DIY Chalk Paint Recipe Primer for Furniture Projects
Have you seen this sofa table makeover? I painted it using my homemade diy chalk paint recipe primer as a base coat. I’ve never been a huge fan of waxing chalk paint, so I found a better way to keep from having to wax and buff.
This table had a slick finish on the top and bottom shelf. I sanded those, but I didn’t want to sand those legs, so I made my own chalk paint and used it as a primer. Many people left comments and wrote me emails asking what my recipe was. I never measure when I cook or when I paint, so I made a point of mixing some paint and actually measuring the Plaster of Paris and the water.
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DIY Chalk Paint Recipe
I always mix my Plaster of Paris with water before I add it to my paint. Typically, I use a plastic container of some sort–anything that’s handy!
This is the magic formula for my DIY Chalk Paint Recipe.
- 1 cup latex paint
- 2 TBS Plaster of Paris
- 4 tsp water
Things to remember when making DIY chalk paint:
Mix plaster and water till it’s smooth with no lumps. Pour your mixture into approximately 1 cup of latex paint. This is not brain surgery, folks. If you get your paste too thin, add a little more plaster, too thick? add a little water.
Lightly sand your painted piece after the DIY chalky paint dries–before you add your top coat (just as you would with premium chalk paint). Your experience may vary depending on the consistency of the paint YOU are using.
I have been known to save leftovers for up to two weeks in a container with a lid. You may need to add a little water after storing this chalky paint.
Chalky Paint Projects
I have used this paste in all kinds of paint. The ONLY paint it didn’t work with is a primer. It thickened up immediately. Now, when I say it didn’t work…. I did still use it. So, it did work, but it was more difficult to paint.
I recommend trying this paint method for those who dislike prep work on furniture pieces. Because it’s such a flat paint, it makes a perfect primer.
Say you’re painting a piece red, no need to buy a special primer, make your own primer with the same paint you’ll be using as your topcoat! You can finish it off however you see fit with wax or latex paint. I have even used wipe-on poly to seal this paint. Need more details? See my tutorial on this Red Sewing Cabinet Side Table.
I heard lots of chatter about Turtle Wax, MinWax, and even Johnson’s Floor Wax. I’m sure it’s all a personal preference that has a lot to do with your budget.
Finish Max Sprays Homemade Paint
I spray 99% of my chalky paint primer projects with a HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer for a flawless finish.
Do you mix your own chalk paint? Do you have a frugal way of sealing your pieces?
gail
Click here to see a chalk paint comparison I did with other ingredients such as calcium carbonate and more.
Check out these other projects I’ve done with DIY Chalky paint
Have you tried this with acrylic paint? I’m a beginner working on small projects and that is what I’ve got on hand.
Maggie,
It doesn’t work with acrylic paint. Generally acrylic paint is flat enough already, especially for a small project.
good luck!
gail
you guys just reminded me that I need to paint and seal what I call my Flintstone rocking chair that I have. It used to sit on my porch but since I have moved to Nebraska it has to sit out in the elements and I need to paint it and top coat it with marine polyurethane. The problem is deciding on one color!! Most likely it will become blue. Thank you for your posts. They have helped me and I have enjoyed reading them. I may even tackle the end tables and coffee table I inherited from my folks. I would have to settle on a color first and that is a hard choice there are so many pretty colors out there.
Hello!
I have been using a formula with plaster of Paris for a while now and every piece I have used it on has held up exceptionally well and is very durable!! I just wish I would have known about it before I repainted my kitchen cabinets because I would have used it in a heart beat! Thanks for all your tips, I really enjoy reading your posts!
Sheila,
Thanks for stopping by and telling me how well this paint technique works for you! I love the flat sheen of a good DIY chalk paint!
gail
I’m confused about “sealing”. Can you use polycrylic over latex paint? I painted my porch rockers and would like to be able to make them more durable. The guy in the paint dept. at Lowe’s said no but it sounds like maybe I can use it. I LOVE reading your posts!
I have successfully used polycrylic over latex (or my diy chalky paint made with latex) many times. I think that polycrylic is not weather proof. The only thing I would recommend for outdoor sealing is marine varnish. Wood is just not made to withstand the elements over time.
If your porch rockers are under a roof, I think that polycrylic would be helpful to extend their life.
thanks for being a friend of My Repurposed Life! I truly appreciate you!
gail
I am repairing and repainting 18th century woodwork with chips and scrapes. Would this paint mixed with plaster act as a filler to help smooth out the finish before top coating? I would expect to sand it.
Pat,
I do not think it would act as a filler. Basically it makes a great primer because it goes on with such a flat sheen.
gail