DIY Chalk Paint Recipe {makes a great primer}

August 20, 2013 By gail@myrepurposedlife.com

I showed you this sofa table makeover last week that I used my homemade primer underneath a latex paint topcoat. I’m not a huge fan of waxing chalk paint, so I’ve been trying different things to keep from having to wax and buff.  My shoulder is feeling so much better, I don’t want to chance injuring it again with a lot of waxing and buffing. This table had a slick finish on the top and the bottom shelf.  I sanded those, but I didn’t want to sand those legs, that is why I chose to make my own chalky paint and use it as a primer. Many people left comments and wrote me emails asking what my recipe is.  I never measure when I cook or when I paint.  I made a point of mixing some paint recently and actually measuring the Plaster of Paris and the water.   I always mix my Plaster of Paris with water before I add it to my paint.   This is my magic formula for DIY Chalk Paint.

• 1 Cup latex paint

• 2 TBS Plaster of Paris

• 4 tsp water

things to remember:

Mix plaster and water till it’s smooth with no lumps.  Pour your mixture into approximately 1 cup of latex paint. This is not brain surgery folks.  If you get your paste too thin, add a little more plaster, too thick? add a little water. Sand your painted piece after the DIY chalky paint dries–before you add your top coat (just as you would with premium chalk paint) Your experience may vary depending on the consistency of the paint YOU are using. I have been known to save leftovers for up to two weeks in a container with a lid.  You may need to add a little water after storing this chalky paint.   I have used this paste in all kinds of paint.  The ONLY paint it didn’t work with is a primer.  It thickened up immediately.  Now, when I say it didn’t work…. I did still use it.  So, it did work, but it was more difficult to paint.  
For those of you who dislike prep work on furniture pieces, I recommend trying this.  It’s such a flat paint, which in my opinion makes it a perfect primer. Say you’re painting a piece red, no need to buy a special primer, make your own with the same paint you’ll be using as your topcoat!
You can finish it off however you see fit, with wax,  or latex paint. I have even used wipe-on poly to seal this paint.  I heard lots of chatter at Haven about Turtle Wax, MinWax,  and even Johnson’s Floor Wax.  I’m sure it’s all a personal preference that has a lot to do with your budget.