DIY chalk paint is a popular way to transform furniture, walls, and other surfaces with a vintage, shabby-chic look. With just a few ingredients and some creativity, anyone can create their own DIY chalk paint at home.
Why you should make DIY Chalk Paint?
When you search around Pinterest, you will discover that a number of the projects that involve painting furniture use chalk paint. There are many brands of chalk paint that are available for purchase but they can be a bit pricey.
So, when supplies are costly, why not try to make your own? A lot of chalk paint recipes call for unsanded grout, plaster of Paris, or calcium carbonate.
Now, to pick up one of these ingredients along with a quart of latex paint isn't a problem if you are doing a piece of furniture. But what if you are new to using chalk paint or your crafting a smaller project?
I'm going to show you how to make your own chalk paint with ingredients you can find at home and/or home improvement stores with very little cost. Here's the recipe:
Supplies needed:
- 1 cup latex paint
- ½ cup baking soda
- 3 tbsp. water
How do I make my own chalk paint?
Now to make things super easy and inexpensive, stop by Home Depot and look at their paint sample mistints. These are great for 2 reasons (if you find a color you like). First, their mistints for this size are only $0.50! Second, they come in a volume of approximately 1 cup so no need to measure the 1 cup of paint. Don't you love it?
Next, you need to have a piece that you'd like to give a face lift with chalk paint. I picked up this clock at Goodwill for just $3.00.
You need to prep your piece for painting. For my clock, I removed the clock mechanism. To help make distressing on the edges easier, I ran an old candle along the sides of my clock.
Now that your piece is prepped, you need to prepare your "chalk paint". In an old yogurt container, add the water and baking soda. Mix until it becomes a paste. Pour in either 1 cup of latex paint or the entire contents of a paint sample jar. Mix thoroughly.
Now paint your piece. Since I am focusing this post on crafters, I painted mine using a foam brush...the kind that often go on sale at Michael's 20/$1.00. It took me 3 coats of paint to thoroughly cover my piece.
Once your piece has dried completely, it will feel gritty. So, lightly sand & distress as much as you'd like. Your piece will feel silky smooth after you have finished sanding.
Now, "chalk paint" needs to be sealed. Usually, you will hear about people applying wax to their pieces. You can pick up some wax but you can also seal your piece with polyurethane. I had this Polycrylic in my crafting cabinet so this is what I used.
(Note: using wax allows you to have a very matte finish or you can buff it to make it shinier while polyurethane gives your piece a more durable finish).
Once again, I used the same foam brushes when applying the Polycrylic. (Note, never shake polyurethane to mix it! This will create bubbles. Also, using a foam brush can also create bubbles in your finish so be careful.)
So, here's my finished piece! Not only do I like it but my husband and youngest bot said it looked "pretty good!"
I think this piece will definitely give a nice punch of color in whatever room it's place in, don't you think?
For more amazing DIY crafts do check out this tutorial for making Resin Coasters and this beautiful Macramé Wall Hanging.
FAQs:
What is the best DIY chalk paint?
The best way to make DIY chalk paint is by combining Latex paint, baking soda and water. You can use to transform your furniture, walls, or any other surface. Just remember to apply a clear wax or sealer to protect your finished project.
Can you turn acrylic paint into chalk paint?
You can turn acrylic paint into chalk paint by adding baking soda and water to it.
By adding baking soda to your acrylic paint, it will thicken and take on a chalky appearance. This will make it easier to distress and give it a vintage look.
Just like with any chalk paint, remember to apply a clear wax or sealer to protect your finished project.
What paint to use for DIY chalk paint?
To make DIY chalk paint, you can use any type of water-based paint, such as latex or acrylic paint.
If you're using latex paint, make sure it's not a paint-and-primer-in-one formula, as these tend to have a slicker finish that may not adhere well to the surface you're painting. A flat or matte finish paint works best for making chalk paint.
If you're using acrylic paint, make sure it's not too thin, as you'll want the paint to have some body to it for the best chalky finish. If your acrylic paint is too thin, you can thicken it up with some baking soda or plaster of Paris.
What is the main ingredient in chalk paint?
The main ingredient in chalk paint is calcium carbonate, which is a naturally occurring mineral that is commonly found in rocks and shells. It is also known as limestone, marble dust, or chalk.
The addition of calcium carbonate to paint creates a porous, matte finish that gives a vintage, shabby-chic look. The chalky finish of the paint allows for easy distressing and gives furniture and other surfaces a unique, aged appearance.
Linda Gonzalez
Can you use acrilic paint with baking soda?