Homemade Chalk Paint
I made my own homemade chalk paint and I’m sharing my thoughts and opinions with you. If you’re planning to make your own chalk paint, read this first!
Chalk paint is so huge right now because it’s so easy to use. It will paint right over anything with no sanding required. If you’re painting anything that gets used a lot, you will need to protect the paint with finishing wax.
One major downside to chalk paint is the price. I just cannot get over how expensive it is!
I decided to make some homemade chalk paint because I really didn’t want to pay that price right now. I’ve seen a few recipes on Pinterest for making your own. First I’ll share the recipe I used, then I’ll share my honest opinion on using homemade chalk paint.
Homemade chalk paint recipe
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As I said, there are other recipes out there for making your own chalk paint. I chose this recipe because I already had all the ingredients at home. Other recipes use Plaster of Paris and I didn’t have any of that on hand. There are only 2 ingredients and it’s super easy to make.
What you need:
- About 2 tablespoons acrylic craft paint
- About a teaspoon baking soda
- Cup for mixing paint in
- Craft stick for stirring
What you do
Pour about 2 tablespoons of craft paint in a cup and add about a teaspoon of baking soda; stir really well to combine.
Seriously that’s all you do!
My honest opinion on homemade chalk paint
Personally, I had a hard time getting used to using homemade chalk paint. Maybe I used too much baking soda, I’m not exactly sure. I will have to play around with the recipe more at some point to see.
I used this chalk paint recipe to paint 2 candlesticks that I bought last year at a thrift sale. After painting one coat I didn’t like the way it looked or felt. After a second coat, the paint seemed to look a little better.
Sanding was somewhat difficult as I really had to dig in to make an impression.
Will I make this homemade chalk paint again? I’m honestly not sure. I may at some point make it again just to change up the amount of baking soda and see what works best. For now, I’ll be sticking with other paint for household items.
Have you ever made homemade chalk paint? What recipe did you use and what were your thoughts?
Looking for more fun DIY’s using paint? Check out these great posts:
Kirkland’s Knockoff – Chipped Candle Holder
“Can’t Touch This” Cactus Flower Pot
Upcycled Mailbox Planter
Farmhouse Mason Jar Vase
Farmhouse Footstool Makeover
I’ve seen these recipes. I’ve wondered how they worked. I use a lot of chalk paint and it’s so pricey
If I use this recipe again I’ll have to play around with it to get it right. At least it’s cheap! 😀
Thank you Michelle. Chalk Paint is very useful and this is a lot of helpful info you have given.?☕️☕️
Thank you! I do love chalk paint, but not the price. 😀
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I have read and heard so many people making their own chalk paint. For the trouble and mess for me when I do want to use chalk paint I would rather buy it, but I mostly use Benjamin Moore Advance for my furniture painting and Waverly Chalk paint for smaller projects. I am like you, sometimes it’s not worth the hassle. Thanks for giving us your opinion. I appreciate your honesty.
There’s no way I’d make a bunch of this to paint furniture! I will definitely be sucking it up and paying for it when I paint my kitchen table and chairs. It really isn’t worth the hassle and I think purchasing it is a better choice. Thank you!
Thanks for the info! For smaller craft projects I use the Home Decor chalk paint you can find at Hobby Lobby. Much less expensive and you can get a 2 oz bottle. But you’re right, if painting furniture you’ll want a really good paint which can be pricey!
I think I’ll be trying that from now on. This recipe is just not worth it. Thank you for sharing!
Hey I’ve used this same homemade recipe before and like you said the texture is weird and just FYI I’ve had it begin to chip or a flake overtime…I read your message above the one Im leaving and I’m not sure if you have a chalk paint that you love when you go to paint your kitchen table and chairs but right now we’re in the middle of a mini kitchen remodel and just used a chalk paint to redo all of my cabinets which I’ll probably do a blog post to show before and after pics and maybe promote the paint brand but in the meantime it’s called Frenchic Al Fresco….Amazing and glides on like soft butter!! I’ve used the Annie Sloan chalk paint before and have noticed that it’s almost too cakey…here’s a link for what I’m using just in case you’re interested..priced at $40 a can but worth every penny!!!
https://youtu.be/r03Mylt_AaI
Thanks for the tip on the chipping and flaking. I’ll keep that in mind.
And thank you so much for the link and the info! I’ll look into that! I can’t wait to see your makeover and how the cabinets look!!
Thanks I’m excited to be done soon!!!!
Thanks for giving us your honest opinion, Michelle!! I too tried homemade chalk paint years ago( different recipe) The texture wasn’t great either and it didn’t hold up at all!! Now like you said, I just suck it up and buy it!! Lol!!
You’re welcome. I have to agree..I think it’s better to just spend the money if you want a good outcome. 😀
Wow! I should try it! Thanks Michelle!
Give it a try and let me know what you think! 🙂
I personally will not try to make my own, I’d rather buy it. Thanks Michelle
I have to agree with you. I think I’ll be buying it from now on if I want to use it. 🙂
I never knew there was a recipe for homemade chalk paint until your post! It doesn’t sound like it was easy to work with and when I paint, I need “easy”!
It’s not that easy and it feels so rough. I’m glad I tried it, but I think I’d rather buy it. 🙂
I needed you today. I have a book that was falling apart and I tried to glue it. I fear I made a mess of it. But I won’t know until I am brave enough to look. Currently I am letting it dry with books on top for weight. We shall see. ??♀️
Oh no! I hope it’s ok. Let me know how it worked out! 🙂
For the most part it is ok. The glue came out thicker than expected. So I did have some pages stuck together on the inner margin. But I was able to pull them apart and not lose any writing. ?
Yay! I’m glad it’s not damaged. 🙂
Ah, bummer this one didn’t work out! At least you didn’t spend much time or money on it!
I know! I’m glad I tried it so at least I know how it is. I think I’ll spend the money next time, though. 😀
First time I’ve heard of chalk paint.
It has really become a huge thing in the furniture painting world. 😀
Hey my friend! Our minds think alike. I too wanted to paint some trim with chalk paint a few months back and was appalled by the price tag! Plus, most require several steps and that includes separate products. I didn’t feel like doing all of that.
I wound up going to the hardware store to buy Plaster of Paris in the red and white bag. The recipe I used called for the Plaster of Paris, paint of choice and water. It worked really well. If you mix thoroughly, the homemade chalk paint is fairly thick and smooth. Overall, I think it was a definite winner. I’m not sure how it would work on the projects you’d like it for though?
Glad you shared this. So many people aren’t aware you don’t have to spend outrageous money to achieve this old, rustic look. 🙂
I’m with you! When I’m ready to paint I want to paint. I don’t want to go through tons of steps and several products. I’m not willing to pay all that.
I’ve seen the Plaster of Paris recipe, too. I’ll have to try that one! It sounds like it works better than this recipe. Thank you for sharing that! 🙂
Awesome! Looks cheap and easy to make and my poor kids are going to have a boring summer so we need all the help we can get Lol!
It didn’t cost me a thing to make it! 🙂 Hopefully, you can come up with some fun things for them to do this summer. My daughter just wants to stay on the computer all the time. Can you see my eyes rolling? haha
Safe, easy to make, thanks for the ‘how to’ Michelle!
And free, too if you already have everything on hand. 😀 Thanks for reading!
I have used this recipe before and it’s awesome! I am just so lazy and would rather buy it haha!
I’m with you! I’ll be buying it instead next time! haha!
Thanks for sharing this ma’am. ?
You’re welcome! Thank you for reading! 🙂
You are welcome. ?
It’s a shame you didn’t love the finish as much as you’d hoped but at least you tried! Better luck next time? Or are you sticking to buying it? x
I may try a different recipe or I may just suck it up and spend the extra money. 😀
Wow! Look forward to trying this out..
Thank you! Let me know what you think!
Sure 🙂
This is such a creative ways to keep the kiddos entertained this summer. Plus, I love how simple it is to make. Great idea!!
Thank you! It’s great that you can use ingredients you already have at home to make this, too. 🙂
That’s interesting, I’ve been meaning to buy chalk paint for ages but it’s insanely expensive and I don’t really have any use for it in mind at the moment. When I do, I’ll try to make it myself first, luckily acrylic paints and baking soda are always in abundance in my house 🙂
I don’t like the prices on chalk paint, either. I can’t believe it’s so expensive! If you try this recipe, I’d love to know what you think. 🙂