Making your own chalk paint recipe is easy and can save you money over expensive chalky furniture paints. However, if you want to make your own DIY chalk paint recipe, you need to know a few important things first.
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Best Practices
Here are the best practices I have learned when making your own DIY chalk paint recipe.
- Use warm water
Use warm water to mix into the plaster of Paris, this helps to properly dissolve the p-o-p. Â I measure the plaster of Paris and place it into a disposable plastic container. Â Slowly add the warm water to the plaster of Paris and mix thoroughly, until all granules are dissolved. This is an extremely important step as you do not want chunks in your mixture when painting. This mixture should be a pancake thickness consistency.
- Strain the Paint
Pour 2 cups of latex or acrylic paint into an air-tight container, using this —> paint strainer. The paint strainer removes debris from the paint which allows for a smoother paint finish. Strain your POP mixture into the latex paint. Make sure to thoroughly mix the POP and paint together.
I also find it easier to mix the paint using this —> handheld mixer. Trust me when I say you can never mix the paint enough to achieve a smooth finish. Â
- Make small batches
Make small batches when making your own DIY chalk paint recipe as it tends to dry out quickly over longer periods. Use glass containers when sealing your leftover chalk paint. Glass keeps in the moisture better than plastic.
Chalk Paint Recipe
Mix 4 tablespoons plaster of Paris with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Mix thoroughly and add to 2 cups strained latex or acrylic paint. See best practices above for all the mixing details. ~ What is plaster of Paris ~
Substitute calicum carbonite
I have seen many different chalk paint recipes and would only recommend using calcium carbonite as a substitute for the plaster of Paris. I have discovered others using baking soda and non sanded grout and both work, however, the paint finish is very rough no matter how much you mix the products together. Those 2 ingredients also dry out the paint mixture very quickly.
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DIY chalk paint vs. Manufactured paint
When I first started to paint furniture, I made most of my chalk paint. This helped to save money on my own personal painted furniture projects. This allowed me to use the latex paint colors I had on hand and use the paint colors that were in the color scheme of my home.
Once I began selling my painted furniture, I decided to start buying manufactured chalk paint. I did not want to sell an inferior product. I wanted my finished-painted pieces to last over time. Yes, they are more expensive, however, my reputation as a quality furniture painter was more important than saving a few dollars.
The other big decision was the manufactured chalk paint sprayed on better than my homemade chalk paint. Spraying on paint is a huge time saving so what I spent on product saved me on time with spraying.
Here are a few of the finished furniture pieces using the DIY chalk paint recipe. Â
I found these leather top-end tables at a garage sale and knew they would have a great future with a little paint. Â
I used 2 coats of my DIY chalk-like paint to cover the tables completely.  For those who want to know I used Sherwin Williams color #SW7018 Dovetail to make my chalk-like paint.  I used Frog Tape Shape Tape Painting Tape, Chevron Design, 1.81 Inches x 25 Yards, 282549
 to achieve my chevron pattern.  You could make your own chevron pattern, but I decided my time was worth buying the pattern tape.  I then mixed a lighter color version of my chalk-like paint and dry brushed that on top of the chevron tape.  Once I removed the tape, the darker gray color showed through, giving the tables a distressed white-washed look.
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Julie says
I just saw this on Better After and I love it. I was actually searching for re-dos of leather topped furniture this weekend. We have a set with two end tables, a desk, and a side table and I would love to update them. The only problem is that I’m not sure I can bring myself to paint over the leather! Thank you!
Designed Decor says
Julie, my leather was cracking due to neglect, so I had no problems painting over it! If you leather is in great shape, you could get away with not painting the leather. If it is the brown leather you could paint the base a soft pale color and use brown glaze or brown wax over the paint to enhance the brown in the leather.
Debbie @ onelittleproject.com says
What a great transformation! They look fabulous!
Anonymous says
I have recently made some chalk pain using non-sanded grout. Unfortunately I lost the recipe and was looking for a new one. Do you think this one would work if I used non-sanded grout instead of P.O.P.?
Loved your zig-zag table by the way! Very good job!
Monica says
Visiting from DBB. Beautiful. Pinned!
Linda says
Love this. PINNING.
Meegan says
Your tables look fabulous DeDe. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe. Pinned 🙂
Pam @ House of Hawthornes says
Frog tape comes in shapes!!!! I did not know this and now I am going to have to run out and find some! Your table turned out wonderfully!
Designed Decor says
Thanks Pam! You can also order it online form Amazon if it is not at your local stores.
Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says
I so need this! Planning on repainting 2 chairs. Pinning it.
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! After recently getting into chalk paint I am having a hard time paying so much for it. Thanks for sharing your recipe! I love the finished look of these tables.
Designed Decor says
Megan, The price of chalk paint is what encouraged me to make my own and give it a try. I have had great success with all the pieces I have used it on.
kelly arent (copper roof interiors) says
Hi DeDe! I love this table design….I had NO IDEA Frog Tape came in shapes. Thank you for bringing me out of the dark!!!!! Glad I found your site….first time I have ever seen or heard of it. Came on over from Blogtalk….thanks for the like. I’m right above you in the comments. 🙂 Will be sharing this project for you. LOVE IT>
Kelly
Designed Decor says
Kelly, I am so glad you stopped over. I was over on your blog too and loved all the things I saw. Shapetape has not been out for that long, so you are not that far in the dark! lol
Pam from Over the Big Moon says
These turned out amazing! Thanks for the tutorial and recipe – can’t wait to try it out on my next project!
Pam
http://www.overthebigmoon.com
Designed Decor says
Thanks Pam, Let me know if you have questions when you make the recipe!
Crystal says
Thanks for the recipe!! I love how the tables turned out!! So beautiful!!
[email protected] says
DeDe, I feel like you were talking directly to me. Now I just have to snag me a piece of furniture to practice on.
Designed Decor says
Susan, How did you know! That one was for you! Let me know as soon as you find the piece!