Homemade Chalk-y Paint

 Did you know that you can make any color paint chalky?  Makes a great chalk paint for furniture or chalkboard paint.  I discovered this some time ago and I use this very unofficial recipe all the time.  It's so much cheaper than buying chalk (or chalkboard) paint. 
This is my junker's recipe...

  Simply mix 3/4 cup of flat latex paint in the color of your choice...

 Two tablespoons of pre-mixed spackle (Martha Stewart's recipe calls for powdered grout but I didn't have any on hand the first time I made it so I tried Mr. Blessing's spackle that was already mixed and it worked so terrifically that I've made it this way ever since).  Note: add more spackle or grout for a thicker chalk type furniture paint until it's something like cake batter...
And one tablespoon of clear glaze (again, I didn't have exactly that so I used a satin finish varnish and it works just fine).  Mix it all up really well.

And you have chalky paint for a fraction of the price!  
I think it is a better quality chalkboard than the store bought chalkboard paint.  I'm new to chalk paint but this gives a similar finish to some of the pricey paints.
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24 comments:

  1. www.MaisonStGermain.comJuly 20, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    How awesome are you for sharing that with us:) Thank you!
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

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  2. UnknownJuly 20, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    I did not know that- how cool are you for sharing with us!

    thanks...

    Karen

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  3. MaryAnnJuly 20, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Thank you soooooooooo much! I can't wait to try it.
    MaryAn

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  4. Mammabellarte Rita ReadeJuly 20, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    I do so agree...I just got my technique down and I don't have the time to start learning all over about the chalk paint, plus I use so much paint that I would have to sell my pieces for so much money.... One more trick Polly. I do rub a candle between coats and that makes it easier to remove only the layer that you want with a 120 grit sand paper. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. Ciao Rita mammabellarte

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  5. CijeJuly 20, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Bravo!!! Thank you for sharing your recipe!! I know the Annie Sloan craze had hit the blogging world like gangbusters only I don't have that kind of money to spend on such a small amount of paint. It's lovely but way out of my price range. Thanks again for sharing with us. I really appreciate it and can't wait to give it a try!

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  6. Barbara JeanJuly 20, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Thank you!! Appreciate the info
    Sounds great!

    blessings
    barbara jean

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  7. Missy @ Chateau Chic BoutiqueJuly 20, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Hi Polly,
    Thanks so much for the paint recipe! I,too, have started to use the popular chalk paint and boy is it expensive. Including it in my costs can drive the price up too much so I don't use it exclusively. Not priming and sanding doesn't always make up for it. I'm definitely going to try this out. Love your blog by the way!
    Blessings,
    Missy

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  8. BenteJuly 21, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    What a fantastic good idea. I have to try. Hope i find the same here in Norway, so I can make it right.

    Hugs Bente

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  9. LaLaJuly 21, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    Thank You SOOOOOO much for sharing this. I have been dying to work with chaulk paint, but alas my budget won't allow it. Now I can make any of my colors chaulk paint by keeping a stock of the items in your recipe. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!

    Peace

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  10. imsteelefullofscrapJuly 21, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    Thank you for sharing that I have been wanting to get some of the chalk paint but is way to pricey when you have to pay the shipping I will be trying this out. Also I know you dont have to sand strip etc with the Annie Sloan chalk paint are you with your homemade version??

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  11. Musings From A French CottageJuly 21, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Like many others have mentioned, I too have wanted to try out the new chalk paints on the market, but they're just too expensive.

    I can't wait to try this!

    Have a blessed day!
    Kathleen

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  12. Peeters LilianeJuly 21, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    Thank you for the paint recipe. And yes chalk paint is expensive. I give it a try your paint recipe.
    Greetings,
    Liliane

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  13. IdoJuly 21, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Wow! Thank you for this amazing recipe. I wanted to try chalk paint but I can't find it in Utah. I'm in the process of refinishing a french chair, I will try this. Thank you very much!!! I really appreciate it!
    XXX Ido

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  14. vikkiJuly 22, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing this. I am going to try it since I have all the ingredients on hand.

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  15. Haute Interiors, LLCJuly 23, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Thank you. I have a project waiting in the wings to begin, and you have helped me tremendously! So sweet of you to share this! ~ Michele.

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  16. Studio ShamboraJuly 23, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    thank you so very much for sharing! Like others who have commented here, I've tried and love Annie Sloan's paint, but it is just too costly for my little ol' business! Can't wait to give this a try!
    xo
    Jackie

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  17. BethJuly 23, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Thanks for sharing...have...and will not...jump on the Annie Sloan wagon unless absolutely neccessary....have seen so beautiful work done a WHOLE LOT cheapter! beautiful!
    Beth

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  18. Pam @ FripperyAugust 7, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Thanks for the recipe. You can also mix flat latex or acrylic paint with gesso to get the same effect. I have purchased 6 colors of AS Chalk Paint and although I do love it I just can't afford to keep buying it. You can also paint with the acrylic craft paint like Delta for a similar effect but again that gets rather pricey. I think the key to the whole look is the wax finish after painting. Such a satiny sheen.

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  19. rachel August 8, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Hi Polly!
    Love your blog! I'm your newest follower! I'm one of those who have jumped on the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint bandwagon and I absolutely love it but it is quite pricey, which makes me have to price my pieces a bit higher than I'd like. I'm so intrigued by your chalky paint recipe, but I'm hoping you can answer a question for me...can I still forgo the prep and prime of the furniture using this chalky paint recipe? Thanks so much!

    Rachel

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  20. AnonymousAugust 11, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I can't believe I just found you. I googled "chalk paint recipe" and your blog came up. I'm guilty of being on the chalk paint bandwagon, and have been wanting to order some, but am too cheap. Thanks for sharing such great info with your followers. I think I'm your newest fan. Rosanne

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  21. Recycled RitaAugust 12, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    I am going to try this this weekend! I can't afford the A.S. version so this is really exciting!
    Thanks for sharing! karen....

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  22. UnknownAugust 24, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Oh my goodness am I happy to have stumbled on your blog. I was looking up "homemade chalk paint" and your blog came up. I can't wait to try it. Only question, do you still have to prep and prime a piece first? Also, do you have a suggestion for AS's waxes? Anyhoo, you got a new follower : )
    ~ Deanna

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  23. AshleyAugust 29, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    thanks for sharing!

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  24. Toni January 2, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    Do you have to use flat paint? What about an eggshell? Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete

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