Best Chalk Paint Recipe

I love chalk paint! It gives me the freedom to hit the ground running with my furniture painting projects. What I don’t love about pre-made chalk paint is how expensive it can be and the color limitations.

The best thing about chalk paint is – no sanding involved! Chalk paint has great adhesion to many materials.

A little chalk paint goes a long way. Depending on the size of the project, a sample size paint will cover most needs. Use the quart sample for bigger projects like a dining room table, buffet, or dresser. While an 8 oz size can be used for a chair or end table.

I found a DYI version and tried it out on a chair I purchased for $10 from the Habitat For Humanity ReStore.

 

I tweaked the recipe a little and here is the recipe I use now:

8 oz flat paint – tinted

2 Tablespoons warm water

2.5 Tablespoons plaster of paris

 

Mix Plaster of Paris and warm water in a bowl. Try to get as many lumps out as you can, but it’s not the end of the world if the mixture isn’t completely smooth.

Pour Plaster of Paris and water mixture in with the paint. You may need to transfer paint first into a larger container with a lid before combining the mixtures.

Stir, Stir, Stir until the paint and the mixture is well combined. The finished product should be a little thicker than normal paint but not so thick that it is difficult to spread while painting.

Keep in mind, chalk paint drys quickly. If you need to refresh the paint, do so by adding warm water in 2 Tablespoon increments. Though, chalk paint does not keep well on the shelf.

There you have it – your DYI chalk paint! Paint away in whatever color you desire.