Chalk paint’s flat, chalky look and silky-smooth, velvety texture can help you turn ordinary furniture into appealing works of art that resemble antiques.
Chalk paint was created by Annie Sloan in 1990. Similar types of chalky or chalk-style paints are available in pre-mixed form from artisan companies, as well as from major paint manufacturers like Behr and Valspar—plus, there’s The Spruce Best Home Chalky Finish Paint. But you can make your own chalk paint with just a few simple ingredients.
What Chalk Paint Is
Do-it-yourself chalk paint is created from a base of latex paint with a thickening agent added to give the paint its smoothness and a higher build. Since the thickening agent is white, it’s also responsible for producing chalk paint’s distinctive, lightened pastel palette. You just need an old blender, interior latex paint, and a thickening agent such as calcium carbonate or Plaster of Paris.
Paint
Have the interior latex paint tinted to your desired color at the paint store.
Remember that the thickening agent will lighten the color, so you may want to choose a paint slightly darker than the color of your intended chalk paint.
Thickening Agent
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate is the white powder that gives chalk paint its chalkiness. It is odorless, flat, and non-toxic, except in concentrated amounts. The calcium carbonate used in chalk paint is mined from the earth or sometimes is extracted from seawater.
Since calcium carbonate is used for making wine and beer and as an additive for dietary calcium, it is readily available online or at health food stores. Look for packages of pure calcium carbonate in at least 1-pound packs.
Plaster of Paris
Calcium carbonate isn’t the only material you can use as a thickening agent. One favorite is Plaster of Paris because it produces a thicker coating. Due to its quick setting time, Plaster of Paris requires you to work fairly quickly. Using cold water in the 40°F to 50°F range will slow down the setting rate.
Drywall Compound
Another alternative to calcium carbonate is drywall compound (powder). Drywall compound is made of gypsum, which mixes well with paint. Use about 4 cups of paint to around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of drywall compound.
Source: The Spruce
