I’ve been using chalk paint for about 2 years now and it is my absolute favorite paint! I get a lot of questions about my chalk paint, how to make homemade chalk paint, and what techniques I use while painting. I hope that this blog post helps answer a lot of your questions as well as helps you out with a budget friendly way to make your own chalk paint. I am adding some affiliate links of the things that I use and for where you can find calcium carbonate to make your own chalk paint (in chalk paint recipe below). I painted all of my kitchen cabinets with my homemade chalk paint and they have held up so great and have yet to chip (see the process here). And no chipping?? That’s really something spectacular when I have 3 kids and a dog.
So here are some of the questions I get about painting and chalk paint… I will answer them the best I know how. I know everyone has differing opinions and ways that they do things. I’m not saying that my way is the only way, but this is the way that I do it. If you have any other questions feel free to leave them below in the comments and I will try to answer those as well.
1. One of the biggest questions I get about chalk paint is, “Do I have to sand prior to using chalk paint”?
The answer is no. Chalk paint can be painted over many surfaces including metal, wood, plastic, etc. with no sanding required. I do, however, sand pieces that have rough spots or if I just need to smooth out a surface prior to painting, but I never do vigorous sanding prior to painting.
2. What consistency should my chalk paint be?
You don’t want your chalk paint to be too thick but not too runny either. A goopey like consistency is good where it kind of runs off of your paint mixer a little too, when you pull the mixer up from stirring it.
3. What kind of brushes should I use.
This is a loaded question because everyone likes different brands and styles but I would say that you should always have a nicer brush on hand. I use the “cheap” brushes sometimes if I’m feeling lazy and I just want to throw it away afterwards, like if I’m painting frames, or a smaller project that I’m not as concerned about it leaving brush marks. The more “expensive” brushes leave less brush marks but are nice for large furniture pieces such as dressers, etc. You will always have some brush marks since you are using a brush but the nicer brushes leave less. Here is a link for one of the brands that I love to use and I know many people also like to use these. They are a little cheaper if you buy them online. Just make sure you clean them out right away to keep paint from drying on your brush and allowing for longevity of your brushes.
4. How do I seal my piece?
This is also preference. If I’m painting a piece that is going to be used a lot or have people sitting drinks or other items on it then I use a water based polyacrylic with a brush like this. I seal a kitchen table usually 5-6x with at least 4 hours in between for dry time and I usually seal dressers and other furniture pieces 2-3x. Make sure that you don’t get the polyacrylic on too thick or that it doesn’t pool in an area or that area may look yellowy. Water base polyacrylic is clear and is not supposed to yellow but if it pools it will. I believe there are some polys out there that they have tried to improve to keep this from happening. And if any of you are aware of what brands those are, I would love for you to comment with them below. When I am sealing small things such as frames, stools, or candle holders, etc, I use wax. Here is one of the waxes that I love to use.
5. What kind of sand paper should I use to distress.
When I am distressing a piece, I use 100 grit sand paper. Any brand will work. I sand the edges and along the places that a piece would “naturally” distress from age. If a big spot in the middle is sanded, it looks out of place.
6. What is your favorite color of white paint?
I love Dove White Benjamin Moore. Benjamin Moore can be pricey so a secret that I have for you is…I go to Home Depot and have them pull the color match for Dove White Benjamin Moore paint and they mix it right up for me. Behr paint is way more budget friendly and I love it just as much!
7. How many coats of paint will I need to use?
This all depends on your piece and how the paint is covering when you are painting. I usually use 3 coats of paint when I am painting with white with about 30 minutes to 1 hour of dry time in between.
8. How do I keep my piece from yellowing?
I have not had much trouble with this but I do see horror stories of how people paint their whole kitchen and it begins to yellow. When I painted my kitchen cabinets, I used Kilz primer prior using chalk paint to keep this from happening and there was and still is no yellowing. Primer helps to seal a piece prior painting and keeps it from yellowing after. I don’t usually prime my furniture pieces and have never had an issue, but I have seen times where people have had issues with a piece yellowing. So I guess if you want to make absolute sure that your piece will not yellow afterwards, then you should prime.
9. How do I get the matte look on my piece.
If you want to make sure that your piece has no gloss then you should seal it with wax. Even the Satin Poly leaves a little sheen. When sealed with wax, a piece will look more primitive than when sealed with poly, but most waxes are usually less durable.
10. Can I paint over a piece that is already painted?
Yes, some people do like to strip off the old paint if it is old or rough but you can absolutely paint over it if you desire.
Here are some photos of things that I’ve painted with chalk paint.
The bottom half of the coffee table
Bottom half of my patio table and these white chairs
The bottom half of my dining table and the cabinet in the corner
Trunk at the end of my bed and the standing mirror on the side wall
These frames, the shelf, and the light bases
This mirror and checker side table
This chandelier, bottom of the table, and chairs
MY CHALK PAINT RECIPE:
12 Tablespoons Calcium Carbonate ( I get mine at my local ceramics shop) to every quart of flat based paint. Calcium carbonate can be difficult to find at your local store so I’m linking it here for you to order your own if you would like.
DIRECTIONS:
Mix the calcium carbonate with warm water. I mix it with enough water where it is goopy not runny. Pour in water slowly so you don’t get too much
Then mix the calcium carbonate into your quart of flat based paint and stir well
Note: Some of the cc may settle to the bottom after left sitting for weeks so next time you want to use it just make sure to stir it well and get it off the bottom of your can.
Also, make sure you are using a flat based paint.
There you have it, it’s that easy and so budget friendly compared to other chalk paints. I’ve been using it for 2 years and I love it so much!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope that this helps you for your next painting project! Have a great day my friends!
I love what you’ve done. I’m going to try it on a chest of drawers first. If all goes well I’m going to try it on the bottom of my dining room table and chairs.
If I get good results, my next project will be painting my oak kitchen cabinets. *nail biting
Thank you, Sherry! That’s awesome! I would love to see some of your projects when you are finished. ❤️️
Thank you for this post, great advice. I love your home and all the hard work that you have put into
your home. I feel inspired to paint.
Thank you so much, Suzie! ❤️️
Thanks for this recipe! I have spent a small fortune on brand name chalk paints. I have a quart of Behr paint that is mixed as BM White Dove that I’d like to convert to chalk paint. I don’t normally but accidentally got the paint with primer. Do you think that will make a difference? I’ve never used that type of paint. I hate to waste it though. What do you think? So happy to have discovered your Instagram account and blog this year! Thanks for sharing all that you do!
Thank you Rebecca, sorry for the late response, we have been on vacation. Yes I think it would work. I have used paints with primers in them to make chalk paint….just as long as it’s flat based paint it should be fine ?
Hi Natalie. Thank you for sharing your chalk paint recipe. I do have a question though…. Have you ever used roller brushes with chalk paint? Or know of anyone who has and has been successful? I want to paint my kitchen cabinets and I’m not sure if I want the brush strokes or not. I also follow you on instagram and enjoy all your insta stories. Thank you. @djizzoz
Thank you Florence! I have not used rollers with chalk paint but I guess you could try it out on a sample piece and see how it goes?
I painted the kitchen cabinets…we are redoing my parents cabin on a lake here in SC. All the cabinets have been purchased at Habitat Restores. Not being the same, we had to do something to pull them all together. I did use a plaster of paris recipe as I hadn’t heard of the CC recipe. I love your style and look forward to following you.
Thank you so much Cindy! Sounds like a fun adventure. ?
Cindy be careful of the plaster of Paris. I was told that if you ever redo that piece and there is sanding involved that it can get into your lungs and harden. You can wear a special mask when sanding it though.
Is this comment for me? I don’t use plaster of Paris.
Thank you for the chalk paint recipe. I see that it you say to use flat paint, but can you use satin paint? Also, what if I am using white paint and the piece has a dark stain? Should I prime first? Thanks Natalie!
Hi Holly! You don’t have to sand with chalk paint, I’ve never used it with Satin paint so I’m not sure, I’m sorry.
I was wondering if you could post a tutorial of the abstract art you did or try to explain again how you did it? I saw your story on IG but wanted to refresh my mind before I attempted it myself. I’ve tried to conceal the AC unit that sits on our deck with a couple louvered bi-fold doors and a couple of swinging “saloon doors” my brother-in-law gave me. I know you’ve also used the drippy smudgey technique on a dresser too. I’m really excited about this project and hope it turns out half as good as your projects ?? thanks a bunch ~
Thank you so much, Charlene! I may have to blog about that sometimes. ?
I second the abstract art tutorial! So loved how that turned out!
Thank you so much Aida!
I bought a “lifetime supply” – 5 lbs. – of calcium carbonate (chalk) from Home Depot a couple years ago, for $7. It was Irwin brand, which they don’t carry anymore, (they carry another, more expensive brand), but Walmart carries it for $7 plus change. It’s a very fine chalk, and makes excellent chalk paint. It comes in different colors (builders use it to re-chalk plumb lines), so make sure you get white. Here’s the link for the product on Walmart’s website:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Irwin-Chalk-Refills-5-lb.-white-marking-chal/21373841?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228016791852&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40872342872&wl4=pla-78765099512&wl5=9014929&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla_with_promotion&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=21373841&wl13=&veh=sem
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What measurement is 12TB in reference to the chalk paint recipe?
Hi Kate! It’s 12 TB of calcium carbonate
I have the same question. Do you mean 12 tablespoons? I’ve not seen it written TB, but sort of assuming that’s what you meant.
Yes that’s it, sorry. I’ll have to fix that. I never noticed. Thanks for letting me know!
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I love your chalk paint recipe I’ve already used it twice! I’ve been hating this chandelier in our formal dinning room since we moved in… I just put the first coat on yesterday and thought oh no the cords and chain are the same heavy brown… what did you do for your chords and chain??
Thank you Sarah! That’s great! I just painted the cords and chain too.
You’ve inspired me to stencil my floors to look like cent tiles. I’m actually out of the country and chalk paint doesn’t exist here.
I saw the recipe for making my own chalk paint.
Do you think it there is a big difference in the final look? Should I make the extra effort with chalk paint or just use flat latex?
thanks,
Laurel
Hi Laurel, That’s awesome! Thank you!! I haven’t used flat latex on floors before but I guess you could try?
Love seeing your projects!! I have a question, do you water the chalk paint down alot for your sprayer? I feel like mine I have to water it down in order for it to not get built up in the sprayer. Was just wondering how you do it.
I have a beautiful thrifted coffee table that I recently picked up. I am dying to paint it white. The wood is oak and I am worried about the grain of the wood showing through. Any suggestions of how to minimize this?s
Sorry I’m just now seeing this. If it’s painted, you will loose the wood grain but you could do the wipe off technique that I did on the bluish dresser. I have a diy on my blog. https://www.myvintageporch.com/chalk-painting-an-old-dresser/
I love it! Thanks for the link showing me this tutorial! I’m wondering how smudges and fingerprints or cleaning in general seems to be with this? Flat paint is a beast to clean or keep that way so I’m curious about high traffic areas like chairs and tables?
Thank you Michaela! I always seal high traffic piece with water based poly ????
I have a large mirror that I am thinking of painting and it looks a lot like the white one you painted. After painting it with chalk paint, what did you use to antique it? Did you use some kind of glaze? And what color?
It is so beautiful and am hoping I can get it to look just half as good as yours. ????
Thank you!!!
The standing mirror? Thank you!! ????
Hi Natalie! I’m wanting to repaint my kitchen cabinets and have no desire to do any sanding (they’re already painted) and am wondering if chalk paint could be run through a spray painter? I’m wondering if it would clog easily but maybe adding just a bit more water would keep that from happening. Any thoughts?
I have actually just had my kilz primer tinted to the color I’m trying to achieve. It self levels and leaves a chalk like finish therefore I don’t (paint) the piece. I then glaze or stain over to give it depth. The only probably is you have to work really quickly with the glaze because it soaks in pretty quickly. Then seal. Usually with a poly. I want my pieces to be protected unlike you would get with a wax. I haven’t jumped on the expensive chalk paint and wax bandwagon. Have you ever tried this?
Thank you so much for this! I cannot wait to try it out. Just to be sure, you said 12 tablespoons for every quart.