How to Make Chalk Paint with Acrylic Paint – 5 Methods

Do you love the look of chalk paint but don’t want to spend the money on store-bought?

Or maybe you’ve tried making your own, and it didn’t turn out quite right. In either case, this blog post is for you!

We’ll show you how to make chalk paint with acrylic paint and seal and buff it for a beautiful finish.

Plus, we’ll tell you where to purchase the ingredients you need so you can get started immediately!

Can you make chalk paint with acrylic paint?

Yes, you can make chalk paint with acrylic paint.

Making chalk paint with acrylic paint involves a chemical reaction. Acrylic paint contains pigments and acrylic polymers, while adding substances like calcium carbonate or baking soda creates a chalky texture.

These substances alter the paint’s properties, resulting in a matte finish.

The idea lies in balancing these components to achieve the desired consistency and texture for various creative projects.

Chalk paint ingredients

Chalk paint is a type of paint that is specifically designed for painting furniture. Unlike regular paint, chalk paint requires no primer or sanding before use.

This makes it ideal for painting projects that are short on time. However, the key to successful chalk painting is using the right paint.

Here are the three essential ingredients of chalk paint:

1. Lime Putty: Lime putty is a type of calcium carbonate used as a chalk paint binder. It gives the paint its characteristic smooth texture and helps it to adhere to surfaces.
2. Pigment: Pigment is what gives chalk paint its color. Many different kinds of pigments can be used, but carbon black is the most common.
3. Glue Size: Glue size is an adhesive that helps the pigment and lime putty bind together. It also helps the paint to adhere to surfaces more effectively.

Can You Make Chalk Paint out of Baking Soda?

Baking soda is a popular ingredient in many DIY chalk paint recipes. However, it’s important to note that baking soda is not the same as calcium carbonate.

While both ingredients will give your paint a chalky texture, only calcium carbonate will provide the necessary binding properties.

As such, we do not recommend using baking soda as a substitute for calcium carbonate in chalk paint.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup calcium carbonate powder
• ½ cup of water
• ¼ cup white glue
• ½ teaspoon pigment (optional)

DIY chalk paint recipe Instructions:

• Mix the calcium carbonate powder and water in a bowl until well combined.
• Next, add the glue and pigment (if using), and mix again until everything is evenly distributed.
• Once the paint is mixed, it’s ready to use!

Just keep in mind that it will have a shorter shelf life than store-bought chalk paint.

How to Make Chalk Paint with Acrylic Paint

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of water-based acrylic paint
• ¼ cup calcium carbonate powder
• ½ teaspoon white glue

Step-by-step instructions:

• First, mix the calcium carbonate powder and water in a bowl.
• Next, add the glue and mix again until everything is evenly combined.
• Finally, add the acrylic paint and stir until the desired consistency is achieved.

Note: This recipe will yield a small amount of paint. For larger projects, you may want to double or triple the recipe.

How to Make Chalk Paint with Baby Powder

Ingredients:

• ½ cup baby powder
• ¼ cup of water
• ½ teaspoon white glue

Step-by-step instructions:

• Mix baby powder and water in a bowl until it forms a paste.
• Add white glue and mix well.
• Apply the paint to your surface using a brush or roller.
• To create a distressed look, sand the edges of your painted piece once it’s dry.

How to Make Chalk Paint with Latex Paint and Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a common food additive that can also be found in supplements and antacids, so it’s probably already in your home.

Ingredient:

• Calcium carbonate
• Water
• Latex paint
• Paintbrush
• Stirrer or wooden spoon

Instructions:

• Add calcium carbonate to a bowl and slowly stir in water until it reaches a milky consistency.
• Add latex paint to the mixture and stir until you have your desired color.
• Use a paintbrush to apply the chalk paint to your project.
• Let it dry completely before buffing with a soft cloth or sealing with wax.

How to Make Chalk Paint with Baking Soda and Latex Paint

This recipe is similar to the one above but uses baking soda instead of calcium carbonate.

Ingredient:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Latex paint

Instructions:

• Start by mixing equal parts baking soda and water in a bowl.
• Add latex paint to the mixture until you reach your desired color.
• Apply the chalk paint to your project with a paintbrush and let it dry completely before buffing or sealing.

Note: This recipe uses latex paint interchangeably with acrylic paint.

How to Make Chalk Paint with Plaster of Paris and Water

If you’re looking for a way to make chalk paint without using any paint, this recipe is for you. All you need is plaster of Paris and Water.

Ingredient:

• Plaster of Paris
• Water

Instructions:

• Start by mixing equal parts plaster of Paris and water in a bowl.
• Once the mixture is smooth, use a paintbrush to apply it to your project. (Here’s how to make acrylic paint smooth).
• Let it dry completely before buffing or sealing.

How to Make Chalk Paint with Cornstarch

This recipe is similar to the one above, but it uses cornstarch instead of plaster of Paris.

Ingredient:

• Cornstarch
• Water
• Acrylic paint

Instructions:

• Start by mixing equal parts cornstarch and water in a bowl.
• Once the mixture is smooth, add acrylic paint to achieve your desired color.
• Next, apply the chalk paint to your project with a paintbrush and let it dry completely before buffing or sealing.

How to Make Chalk Paint from Emulsion

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly recipe, this is it. All you need is tempera paint and cornstarch but is tempera paint washable from clothes if it spills?

Ingredient:

• Emulsion paint
• Water

Instructions:

• Start by mixing together equal parts emulsion paint and water in a bowl.
• If you’re using a quart of paint, add a quart of water.
• Once the paint and water are combined, use a whisk to mix everything together until it’s smooth.

That’s it! Your chalk paint is now ready to use. You can apply it to any surface just like you would with store-bought chalk paint.

Read more: Tempera vs acrylic.

How to Make Chalk Paint for Furniture

There are a few different recipes you can use to make chalk paint for furniture, but the one below is our favorite.

Ingredient:

• Calcium carbonate
• Water
• Latex paint

Instructions:

• Start by mixing together equal parts calcium carbonate and water in a bowl.
• Once the mixture is smooth, add latex paint to achieve your desired color.
• Apply the chalk paint to your project with a paintbrush and let it dry completely before buffing or sealing.

Note: You can also use acrylic paint in this recipe.

Is Homemade Chalk Paint as Good as Store-Bought?

There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the paint.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to achieve a chalky finish, store-bought chalk paint is probably your best bet.

However, if you’re willing to put in a bit more effort, homemade chalk paint can be just as good – if not better!

Best chalk paint recipe

The best chalk paint recipe combines 1 cup of latex paint with 1/4 cup of calcium carbonate or plaster of Paris.

Mix well until smooth. Add water if needed for desired consistency. This DIY chalk paint is versatile, affordable, and perfect for furniture and decor projects.

Benefits of Making Your Own Chalk Paint

There are several benefits to making your chalk paint rather than purchasing it from a store.

1. It’s much cheaper to make your paint.
2. You can customize the color and consistency to suit your needs.
3. You can also control the amount of sheen by how you buff and seal the final product.
4. Homemade chalk paint has a shorter shelf life than store-bought paint, so you can be sure that it’s fresh when you use it.

Related Topic: Chalk Paint Vs Acrylic Paint

5 mistakes to avoid When making your own chalk paint at home

When making it at home, avoiding common mistakes is essential to achieve the best results.

Here are five mistakes to avoid:

Incorrect Proportions:

One of the biggest mistakes is not getting the proportions of ingredients right. A common recipe for chalk paint typically includes mixing one part water, one part

Plaster of Paris (or another fine powdered substance like calcium carbonate), and three parts acrylic paint.

Deviating significantly from these measurements can result in a mixture that is too thick, too thin, or not achieving the desired finish.

Not Mixing Well

Failing to mix the ingredients thoroughly can result in a lumpy or uneven consistency.

Before adding the acrylic paint, ensure that the water and Plaster of Paris are mixed to a smooth consistency.

Once the paint is added, mix well to avoid any streaks or color disparities.

Using the Wrong Type of Paint

While most acrylic paints should work, it’s essential to opt for a high-quality paint.

Cheap or low-quality paints may not mix well with the other ingredients, leading to uneven coverage or a finish that chips easily.

Not Testing Before Applying

Always test a small patch before painting your entire piece. This allows you to see how the paint dries, its final color, and how it adheres to the surface.

Some surfaces may require light sanding or priming to ensure the paint adheres well.

Ignoring Drying Time

Impatience can lead to smudging, sticking, or an uneven finish.

Ensure that each coat of chalk paint is thoroughly dry before applying another coat or before distressing the piece.

Additionally, if you plan to seal the paint with wax or another topcoat, ensure the chalk paint is fully dried to avoid any unwanted reactions or smearing.

FAQs

Additional Resources:

How to Make Olive Green Acrylic Paint

How to Make Beige with Acrylic Paint

How to Make Chalk Paint with Acrylic Paint – Summary

So there you have it – a simple guide to making chalk paint with acrylic paint.

By following these steps, you can create your own custom chalk paint colors that will perfectly match your decorating style.

Have fun experimenting with different combinations of colors and textures, and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you made your own beautiful chalk paint!

Did you find this article helpful? Leave a comment below and let us know how your experience went! We love hearing from our readers.