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 the video above to find out more.

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.


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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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