How to Make Homemade Chalk Paint to Use for Antiquing Furniture

Chalk paint dries harder and is easier to sand than standard latex paint, making it perfect to apply to furniture and cabinets to produce an antique look. While you can buy premade chalk paint, it’s easy to make your own. Here’s how.

To make homemade chalk paint:

1. Mix five tablespoons plaster of paris and three tablespoons water together.
2. Add the mixture to two cups of latex paint.
3. Stir the paint and chalk mixture together thoroughly.

Apply chalk paint to the surface using a paintbrush as you would any paint. After the paint has dried, sand through the chalk paint on the edges and other spots as desired to give the furniture an antique look.

Homemade chalk paint doesn’t store well for long periods of time, so it’s best to use it up. Watch this video to find out more.

Further Information

• DIY Decorative Crackle Paint Finish for Furniture (video)
• Alternative Wall Surfaces and Decorative Finishes (article)
• Faux Textured Wall Surfaces and Finishes (article)

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Chalk paint is a popular way to finish furniture that you want to give that distressed look, because it’s harder and leaves a smoother finish when sanded.

In order to make your own chalk paint, you simply mix plaster of paris into any latex paint. You’ll need five tablespoons of plaster of paris and three tablespoons of water for every two cups of paint.

Mix the water and plaster of paris together thoroughly first before adding it to the paint. The color should be unaffected and the consistency slightly thicker than normal paint. Then apply it as you would any paint.

Only mix as much as you think you’ll use for each project, because this formula doesn’t store well for long periods.