Chalk paint has been a staple in my DIY life. When I found out I don’t have to sand, I can make it in any color I want, and it stretches well beyond your idea of full coverage – it was a no brainer.
I also make my own chalk paint because paying full price for the Annie Sloan chalk paint is too much for me
You only need 3 ingredients!
Chalk paint can be made quickly and easily by mixing 3 ingredients. I’ll show you how easy it is!
What you’ll need:
Latex Paint – 1 cup
Plaster of Paris – 2.5 Tablespoons
Water – 2.5 Tablespoons
Plaster of Paris can be found at Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot – really any of those big box stores or a hardware store. It looks like a half gallon carton of milk but it’s powder.
They usually have it in the paint section.
If you don’t have a huge piece of furniture, a SINGLE CUP of paint will do the job.
If you doubt me – see my chalk painted dresser here. I used about 1 and an 1/8 cup of paint.
My MAJOR chalk paint hack:
Buy a paint sample instead of a quart or bucket. They only cost $4 and it will get you enough chalk paint to cover a good sized piece of furniture.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! This is why I love chalk paint.
Back to making the chalk paint.
Mix the plaster of paris with the water. They are equal parts. Get it as smooth as you can. If you make it too quickly, your paint will be clump so MIX MIX MIX until that stuff is smooth.
Once the plaster of paris and water are smooth, mix it with the paint. I like to use a mixing tool attached to my drill for a really thorough mix.
That’s it. Now you have a homemade chalk paint in any color you choose!
UPDATE: I’ve had a lot of questions about how long the paint sample/chalk paint lasts. I put it on this piece of furniture with a clear wax as the finish and it had ZERO issues in the 4 years I owned the dresser.
We recently sold the dresser just before we moved back to Texas and I am confident the finish will last ages.
