Are you familiar with Chalk Paint? Those who aren’t familiar with chalk paint often confuse it with chalkboard paint; however they are completely different and aren’t related in anyway. Chalk paint has made the art of painting and re-finishing sooo easy. When using chalk paint you don’t have to do any prep work, that means no sanding, stripping or priming, all you do is apply 1 coat, wait an hour for it to dry (That’s right, it only takes 1 hour to dry), apply a second coat (let it dry) and you have a perfect paint job. Chalk paint is extremely versatile and can be used on any surface including, rod-iron, metal, walls, flooring, waxed and varnished furniture and the list goes on and on.
If you are like me and love the shabby chic / distressed look then you’ll be glad to know that with chalk paint all you have to do is scrape your fingernail or whatever tool you prefer across the area that you want to distress and the paint comes right off. Once you have achieved your desired look apply a soft wax (I use Minwax Paste Finishing wax) by slowly massaging the wax onto the surface with a rag. This will seal the surface creating a finished look.
You can buy chalk paint; however it’s really expensive, so I say…why buy when you can DIY!!!
There are several different ways to make chalk paint, but the way that I make it is with Plaster of Paris, it’s REALLY easy.
Here is what you need
- 2.5 Tablespoons of Plaster of Paris
- 1 Tablespoon of warm water
- 1 cup of paint (I like using the paint samples that you get at Lowes and Home Depot)
- Container (I use a Tupperware container)
- Paint Stick
Start by putting 2.5 Tablespoons of Plaster of Paris into your container. Then you pour 1 Tablespoon of warm water in with the Plaster of Paris
Stir it until all of the lumps are gone. You want it to be slightly runny because it will thicken. I learned this the hard way 🙂
After you have a smooth paste you add 1 cup of paint into your container and mix it for about 1-2 minutes
Once your paint turns into a thick paste you will have successfully made your very own Chalk Paint.
As a side note, the first coat of paint will not go on seamlessly, it will have brush strokes; however the second coat will cover all the brush strokes creating an even seamless look.
I am in the process of painting a faux leather file cabinet that came from Home Decorators awhile back. I really didn’t like the color of it, it’s a reddish brown, so I decided to test out how chalk paint does on faux leather. When I get it finished I’ll post it!!
In the meantime here is a link to a personalized shabby chic step-stool I painted last year using yellow chalk paint. In the tutorial you can see how smooth chalk paint goes on, how to create a distressed look (chalk paint makes distressing a breeze) and how to seal chalk paint with paste finishing wax.
Chalk paint is hands down my absolute favorite type of paint. If you are a DIYaholic like me and have yet to use chalk paint, you absolutely MUST try it!! I promise it will forever change the way you DIY!!
Does the plaster of paris make the paint a lighter color & if so, do you buy a shade darker shade to acquire the correct shade of paint?
Any issues with using paint samples? I keep reading that samples lack ingredients used in “regular” paint.
Hi Diana, I always use paint samples when I make chalk paint and I haven’t had any issues 🙂
That’s the answer I was hoping to hear! Thanks.
I would like to know what kind of paint to use for the chalk paint, and what type of brush to apply the paint?
Hi Bonnie,
I used Valspar paint (I purchased a sample from Lowes). With regards to the brush I used a 1″ paint brush from Lowes. I also use craft paint brushes for things that are smaller. I hope this helps!!
I used this recipe to paint my black nitestand…Behr Vintage Teal. Was tired of the black and wanted to add some color to my room. I wasn’t So Lucky As To not have brush strokes show. Might have been because it was close to 90 here in Denver. May have made it thicken up too much?? But…I LOVE the color. And I’m excited about more projects!
Hi Cassandra, the first coat usually always has brush strokes but after the second coat (sometimes third coat) it should be completely covered. If your paint is to thick I usually add a tiny bit of hot water, it dissolves the plaster of paris and makes the paint creamy again 🙂 I’m so sorry your nite stand didn’t turn out well, how many coats did you use?
What type of paint do you use- flat, gloss?
Hi Sarah, I use flat paint.
It’s really fantastically functional and simply fun Jessica. You did an excellent job. Really loved to read this type of post. Thank you!
I want to chalk paint a wooden kitchen table. After painting several times, how do
I seal it for daily use. I don’t think waxing will be durable enough. Thanks
How do you seal kitchen table after painting with chalk paint to make it durable for every day use? I don’t think waxing wil be durable enough for every day use. What do you recommend and how do you apply product.